Flipping the Switch: Tracy O'Rourke's Clean Energy Bet

"Keep your energy on your vision. Not your current problem and not your bank balance. Keep it on your vision, because where you put your energy is where you're ultimately going to grow."   ⚡ Flipping the Switch: Tracy O'Rourke's Clean Energy Bet!   🎙 In this episode of the InvestHer Podcast, host Anne Ravanona speaks with Tracy O'Rourke, Founder & CEO of Vivid Edge, about building an award-winning climate tech startup from a financial services background, navigating a funding journey that defied conventional wisdom, and why the right investor fit matters far more than the size of the cheque.   🌍 Discover how Tracy transformed her expertise in aircraft leasing and financial services into Vivid Edge — a pioneering platform that helps commercial organisations eliminate energy waste through fully funded retrofits, with zero capital outlay for customers. After years of bootstrapping through accounting rule changes and a global pandemic, Tracy flipped the switch on her fundraising approach and closed a €555K angel round in just six weeks — through her own network, without ever directly asking anyone for money.   💡 Don't miss this episode with actionable insights on: • How Tracy identified a massive funding gap in energy efficiency — and why it represents 40% of the climate solution that the world is largely ignoring • The innovative risk and funding model behind Vivid Edge that gives customers fully funded energy retrofits with no upfront capital and no obligation until after installation • Why Tracy said no to an investor when the bank account was nearly empty — and why she has never once regretted that decision • The "flip the switch" fundraising moment: how Tracy closed €555K from seven investors in six weeks by telling everyone she was fundraising — without asking anyone directly for money • Thinking of your investor relationship as a marriage: the questions to ask before you sign, from board control and voting rights to timeline alignment and cultural fit • Why regulatory drivers like CSRD and commercial property energy ratings are creating powerful new tailwinds for Vivid Edge — and what that means for investors right now • Tracy's parting wisdom for every entrepreneur in the trenches: keep your energy on your vision, not your bank balance   Learn how to build a fundable, scalable business — on your own terms.   🔗 Listen Now | 🎧 Apple Podcasts | Spotify | ▶️ Full Show Notes   About Tracy Tracy O'Rourke is the Founder & CEO of Vivid Edge, a climate tech company that delivers fully funded energy efficiency retrofits to commercial businesses with no capital outlay required. Drawing on her background in financial services and aircraft leasing, she is also a Fellow of the Cartier Women's Initiative and the Barclays Unreasonable global programme for entrepreneurs.   About Vivid Edge Vivid Edge is an Irish-founded climate tech company that helps commercial businesses identify energy waste, access fully funded energy efficiency retrofits, and manage ongoing reporting — all through one comprehensive platform. Vivid Edge removes the financial and operational barriers that have historically slowed energy efficiency adoption. Customers save energy, reduce costs, and cut carbon emissions with no capital outlay, while Vivid Edge manages the entire process as a long-term service partner.   Resources Mentioned 🌐 Vivid Edge: https://www.vividedge.ie 🏛 Enterprise Ireland: https://www.enterprise-ireland.com/ 🌍 Cartier Women's Initiative: https://www.cartierwomensinitiative.com/ 🌍 Barclays Unreasonable Programme: https://www.unreasonablegroup.com/ 📋 CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive): https://finance.ec.europa.eu/capital-markets-union-and-financial-markets/company-reporting-and-auditing/company-reporting/corporate-sustainability-reporting_en 🏆 Earthshot Prize: https://earthshotprize.org/   Connect with Anne & Global Invest Her 🌐 https://www.investherpodcast.com/ 📂 Funder Directory: https://funderdirectory.globalinvesther.com/ 🛍 Buy From Her Directory: https://www.buyfromher.com/ 🗨️ LinkedIn: Anne Ravanona https://www.linkedin.com/in/anneravanona/   #WomenFounders #CleanEnergy #EnergyEfficiency #Climatetech #InvestHerPodcast #WomenInClimate #StartupFunding #IrishStartup #WomenEntrepreneurs #SustainableBusiness #ImpactInvesting #InvestHer #FemaleFounders #ClimateAction