Not quite two years have passed since Robert Downey Jr., the acclaimed actor, producer, and investor, first presented his new endeavor, the FootPrint Coalition – an initiative centered around sustainability – at Amazon’s re:MARS conference. At that time, it consisted primarily of a basic website and an option to sign up for updates.

Currently, the organization has significantly expanded, now encompassing five companies within its investment portfolio, a dedicated nonprofit program, and the introduction of a continuously funded venture capital fund, Footprint Coalition Ventures, debuting at the World Economic Forum’s Digital Davos gathering.

This new, perpetually active fund, administered via AngelList, positions Downey Jr.’s initiative at a crucial juncture where two significant global economic trends converge: the broadening of opportunities for capital access and investment, and the substantial $10 trillion market presented by the need to reduce carbon emissions across all industries.

This development further strengthens the capabilities of an organization dedicated to integrating narrative power, strategic investments, and charitable contributions in the effort to address the global climate emergency.

Rolling funds and the revolution in finance

A significant shift is currently underway in the financial landscape. This transformation is evident in various trends, such as the increased activity of online communities challenging established investment practices through stocks like Blockbuster, Nokia, GameStop, and AMC, and the emergence of new crowdfunding platforms and rolling funds that enable individual investors to support early-stage businesses. These developments clearly indicate a changing dynamic on Wall Street.

While public market speculation has the potential to create new wealth for some, providing broader access to investments in promising startups represents a fundamentally different approach, moving away from the often critical nature of short-term trading.

Although both strategies carry the risk of financial loss, rolling funds and crowdfunding offer the potential to contribute to the creation of new ventures, rather than simply challenging existing systems.

Traditional venture capital funds typically raise a fixed amount of capital upfront. In contrast, rolling funds continuously gather new investment pledges each quarter and deploy capital as opportunities arise, explaining the term “rolling.” Investors participate with a minimum commitment of one year, contributing funds on a quarterly schedule. For example, Downey Jr.’s fund seeks $5,000 per quarter from as many as 2,000 eligible investors, alongside a limited number of accredited investors, as shared by someone familiar with the fund’s strategy.

“The concept of extending investment opportunities to everyday individuals, instead of limiting them to large institutional investors… It feels more aligned with independent film festivals like Slamdance than the mainstream event at Sundance, and I find that appealing,” stated Downey Jr.

Understanding How to Identify FootPrint Coalition Ventures

FootPrint Coalition Ventures intends to allocate capital across both emerging and more established businesses, targeting a total of ten investments annually – six in companies at an early phase and four in those further along in their development.

Robert Downey Jr. is receiving operational support from experienced investors such as Jonathan Schulhof. Schulhof’s prior ventures include LOOM Media, a company focused on utilizing intelligent city systems for advertising purposes, Motivate International, a manager of bicycle-sharing programs in numerous U.S. cities, and a role as a managing partner at Global Technology Investments. Alongside Schulhof is Steve Levin, who was a key founder of both Team Downey, Robert Downey Jr.’s media production entity, and Downey Ventures, a firm dedicated to investing in companies within the media and technology sectors. 

Currently, the firm holds ownership positions in four companies, resulting from investments made with funds provided by the founders themselves. Although these initial investments were each less than $1 million, the firm anticipates larger investment amounts as it secures additional funding. Footprint Coalition has also secured rights to maintain its proportional ownership in future funding rounds, allowing it to expand its holdings in promising businesses. Furthermore, the firm’s earlier investments were strategically made with the expectation of participating in subsequent investment opportunities at significantly increased company valuations.

A venture fund operating within a larger network

Downey Jr.'s envisioned project extends beyond simply making investments. He and his partners view the investment component as one element of a larger system that utilizes Downey Jr.'s substantial social media presence and the narrative expertise his team developed over years in the film industry.

This expanded team incorporates Rachel Kropa, previously the leader of the CAA Foundation, who will oversee scientific and charitable initiatives and function as the fund’s Impact Advisor, connecting with experts in science and research, as stated in an official announcement.

Rachel Kropa, who previously led the CAA Foundation and joined Footprint Coalition last year to direct scientific and philanthropic endeavors, will act as the fund’s Impact Advisor and serve as a point of contact for the scientific and research sectors.

“The concept of linking our creative work to individuals is incredibly impactful,” Kropa explained. “This challenge is complex and globally interconnected. It’s important that the fish people consume are raised with sustainable feed sources.”

Kropa is referencing content produced by the FootPrint Coalition concerning sustainable aquaculture, which was released alongside the group’s recent investment in Ÿnsect, a company producing protein from mealworms* for both animal and human consumption.

“Our content focusing on Cellular Agriculture demonstrates the kind of material we can develop while thoroughly investigating a specific sector. While we haven’t invested in this area (as of yet), we recognize the potential for compelling storytelling,” noted an individual associated with the company.

This media output is designed to engage the group’s followers and is provided without cost—and isn’t factored into investment valuations. “We’ve been producing edited video clips featuring Robert’s narration and animated visuals, which we share on social media. We offer this service to companies at no charge and do not request or demand equity, advisory shares, or other considerations in return,” the source clarified.

Innovative Science and Environmental Responsibility

Ÿnsect represents one instance of a company supported by the FootPrint Coalition that is engaged in work potentially unfamiliar to many of Robert Downey Jr.’s fans; however, other ventures, such as Cloud Paper, a producer of bamboo toilet paper, and a recent investment in Aspiration, a financial services company concentrating on sustainability, possess clear connections to everyday consumers.

This equilibrium is a key consideration for the firm, according to Schulhof, as it seeks not only environmental and sustainability benefits but, crucially, financial gains.

“We assess ventures for their significance and potential impact, and I am able to operate with a purely capitalistic approach. A primary question is whether the opportunity is sound, considering factors like profit margins, scalability, risk assessment, the team involved, and the fundamental conditions… will the company generate value for those who invest?” Schulhof explained. “Our objective is to achieve positive returns.”

The potential for financial returns is substantial. The organization highlighted the rapid expansion of the ESG sector—investments prioritizing environmental, social, and governance factors. As a component of the wider stakeholder capitalism movement, impact investing funds have exceeded $250 billion, and the value of sustainability-focused assets has increased twofold in the last three years.

“We recognize the convergence of two significant trends that bolster environmental efforts. Firstly, compelling content and effective media channels allow us to cultivate a dedicated community leveraging Robert’s substantial social media following and utilize this audience to identify promising investment opportunities. Secondly, a streamlined technology platform now facilitates the management of a diverse range of individual investors,” Schulhof stated. “Traditionally, venture funds have required substantial minimum investments, limiting access to the wealthiest individuals or institutional investors. With reduced minimums and shorter investment timelines, we can now extend access to these same companies to a much wider investor base. By encouraging these investors to engage with our enthusiastic audience, we aim to establish a reinforcing cycle, ultimately benefiting environmental technologies.”