It's been a bumpy road for many, the last two years. An increasing number of founders, teams, and backers are nearing, or have reached the end of the road.

Common for many of them is that they experienced early validation, growing sales, follow-up funding to support growth, and then the wind shifted: sales slowed, working capital drained, and further funding came to an end.

We're sorry for the teams that put their hearts, savings and time in to creating businesses that could lead to making positive impact for people and the environment, only to have to fold while en route.

Realistically, we have to expect more to follow, while our hope is that we're wrong.

Fortunately, many of the ideas and concepts will have a second life, either as a result of experiences gained and re-used at new startups, or IP acquired by other companies.

Against this backdrop, we would like to encourage all relevant stakeholders and those concerned with job and value creation, and the future well being of generations to come, to provide further stimulus to startups.