In Founder Focus we introduce entrepreneurs and innovators working on our next generation of new business startups, social enterprises and small businesses.
At a glance
Founder: Leanne Bats
Business: Tres Cool
Founded: 2022
HQ: Waikato
Can you tell us a bit about your business?
Tres Cool is the internet’s coolest climate action company. We build exponential, climate action solutions that people want to be a part of. Our purpose is to disrupt, because today’s solutions aren’t meeting the needs of our planet or the people. We’re creating ways for billions of people to make micro actions and enable a future that is designed to help ‘cool’ our past.
We’re working on the cutting edge of Web3.0, by building open source blockchain software that makes it possible for any digital good to be ‘made cool’ and operate planet positive, by removing more carbon that it will ever emit. We use blockchain technology to provide full transparency, remove the need for trust and to immutably embed action at the core, like a 1% for the planet movement on Arnold Schwarzenegger grade steroids.
We build action the world has never seen before and we have a good time doing it.
What’s the backstory for your business idea?
Three years ago Leanne Bats became a Mum. And after a cocktail of too little sleep and one too many climate documentaries, she knew if she didn’t want to hand over a broken planet to her son one day, she would need to act, but also find a way for millions to do the same.
The problem? The options to act were not a vibe. Everything required deep behaviour changes, high costs and were filled with doom, gloom, blame, shame, positioned as a chore and spurring action driven by guilt.
With that Tres Cool was born, to take climate action, weave it into the fabric of social culture and make it actually ‘cool’ and appealing. We want to make action ‘cool-enhancing’ and take it from being viewed as a chore, to a passion.
What programmes, learning or mentoring have been of assistance so far?
Too many to cover! I have been very fortunate to have many people support and believe in me, from my husband, family and friends to complete strangers. Every single one motivates me to bring the vision to life, especially on the days when it feels tough. I think it is critical to have the support of a close network, without that entrepreneurship is a tough gig.
I recommend reaching out to the amazing opportunities and communities in New Zealand. I have had support from the Callaghan Institute who are next level, Ministry of Awesome, NZTE and the fine folk at Maanaki. Beyond that I am also a member of many web3 communities globally like FWB, Chainforest and Club CPG, which are very specific to my needs but are also a massive support.
As for reading, I usually use books to give my brain a break and step outside my founder world (which I believe is also important), but I am reading “Think Again” by Adam Grant, which is hugely insightful and would recommend it in a heartbeat.
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