Stuart and Stephanie Mills have launched Wealth With a Why — a guide for investors and advisers who want their money to line up with their values, and to play a meaningful role in a sustainable future.
The central question is beautifully simple: “Can I do better with my money?” And the answer, unsurprisingly, is yes — if you’re willing to look beyond the default settings of finance.
Why angel investors matter (especially for climate)
If you’re an angel investor (or considering becoming one), early-stage investment can be one of the highest-leverage ways to drive climate impact — because it funds innovation before it’s obvious, bankable, or widely understood. That’s the stage where:
- technical risk is still real,
- market adoption isn’t guaranteed, and
- the choice of what gets built is still up for grabs.
When angels invest in startups aligned with their purpose, they’re not just allocating capital — they’re accelerating solutions, attracting follow-on funding, and helping founders cross the gap from prototype to scale.
A useful lens: financial vehicles across the “spectrum of capital”
One thing I like about Wealth With a Why is that it doesn’t pretend there’s only one way to do this. Their financial vehicles toolbox breaks down the practical options — from the everyday (bank accounts and pensions) through to deeper impact vehicles (community shares, ethical bonds, Innovative Finance ISAs, and equity investments).
There’s also a helpful reminder that sustainable investing is not the same thing as ESG risk-screening. The difference matters if your goal is real-world outcomes.
Where to go next
- Explore the book + website
- Read the financial vehicles guide (great starting point)
If you’re a purpose-driven angel investor, this is a solid nudge to get intentional: choose the climate outcomes you care about, learn the tools, and back founders who are building towards that future.