CVC

Investor profile

Access VC

USGBOtherConsumerHealthtechOther

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Investment thesis

Access VC is the purpose-driven venture capital arm of Reckitt, the global consumer goods conglomerate behind brands such as Lysol, Dettol, Durex, and Mucinex. The fund invests in founders who 'fight for access' to better health, hygiene, and nutrition — backing minority stakes in growth-stage consumer businesses across over-the-counter medicine, vitamins & supplements, intimate wellness, hygiene & homecare, and infant nutrition. Access VC offers evergreen capital alongside strategic support through board-level participation, providing portfolio companies with access to Reckitt's capabilities, experts, brands, and global scale so they can make a bigger impact, faster. The fund evaluates brands through a 'swords and shields' lens — requiring strong environmental and social foundations ('shields') while seeking brands with a distinctive, championed point of view ('swords'). Access VC is notably the first corporate venture arm to achieve B Corp certification.

Notable quotes

We look at brands through a swords-and-shields [lens]. Shields are what we call 'minimum requirements' to be a successful brand. Swords are more like whether there are one or two things that a brand truly champions and stands out for. We look for this sword, which is whether a brand has a strong point of view on something.

Rakesh Narayana · Glossy — 'Why Reckitt's corporate VC firm takes a swords and shields approach to investing' · 2024

Historically, the majority of venture capitalists are financial engineers. They see the world sequentially. But if you look at the history of sexual health or healthy aging and how many startup brands have been successful in this space, the data will show very few. We don't invest in food and beverages, but I have more food and beverage companies reaching out to me than companies in any other category.

Rakesh Narayana · Glossy — 'Why Reckitt's corporate VC firm takes a swords and shields approach to investing' · 2024

We encountered scepticism from those who believed venture capital, corporations and purpose were incompatible. Despite these challenges, we were undeterred in our commitment to building Access VC as a B Corp from the ground up.

Rakesh Narayana · Access VC B Corp Impact Report 2023 · 2023

Recent investments

CompanyRoundSizeDate
MaudeSeries A$3m2023-11-01
OxwashSeries A$12m2022-08-30
Future MethodSeed2022-08-01
JudeSeed$4m2023-09-04
Beekeeper's NaturalsGrowth
Begin HealthSeed
AsystemGrowth
San WellnessSeed

Frequent co-investors

VC firmDeals together
Fable Investments1
True Beauty Ventures1
Eka Ventures1
Joyance Partners1
Samos Investments1
Crista Galli Ventures1

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