Karla Mora is driven by an unwavering desire to create real change in the world through dealing with the deep, underlying problems that persist in our society. Through her venture capital fund, Alante Capital, Karla, and her partners help apparel brands become more sustainable, while still making a profit. The apparel industry has become renowned for the damage it inflicts upon its workers and the environment, but so many brands are looking to decrease their negative impact, and so many companies have the technology which can enable them to do so. On the show today, Karla explains how Alante Capital bridges the gap between these key players in the space, and what makes their fund unique. We discuss the innovative technologies that Alante is investing in, how much more accessible sustainable apparel has become in the past few years, what being a female-founded company has meant for the fund and the exciting direction that Karla sees the apparel industry heading in. Sustainable apparel should be a win-win for all, and Karla is on an admirable mission to make that our reality. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Karla’s range of work experience and how these jobs inspired her to embark on the journey she is currently on with her company, Alante Capital.
• Exciting developments that Karla became aware of in the apparel industry and why she chose this as Alante Capital’s niche.
• Complexities in the apparel industry and how Alante Capital uses these to their advantage.
• Levi’s: Alante Capital’s first brand partner.
• The service that Alante Capital offers to the brands that they work with. 
• Some of the new and innovative technologies that Karla is seeing in the apparel space. 
• Forces that impact sustainability in the apparel space.
• How the price points of sustainable apparel have changed over the past few years.
• Two conditions that determine whether Karla invests in a business or not.
• The win-win solution that Karla always aims for. 
• Types of companies that Alante Capital invests in and the kinds of investors that they work with.
• Karla’s thoughts about how being a women-founded, women-run company has impacted their portfolio. 
• The commitment that Alante Capital has made with regard to their pipeline.  
• Competitors to Alante, and how the company distinguishes itself from the rest. 
• Misperceptions around impact investing that are changing.
• Details about the companies that Alante Capital has invested in so far. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Alante Capital

Village Capital

Levi’s

Nike

Gap

Patagonia

Eileen Fisher

VF Corporation

The Kering Group

adidas 

J.P. Morgan

Old Navy

Lululemon

BlackRock

Tesla

Mango Materials

Lizee

Reebok

Jennifer Merchant 

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