Karla Mora runs Alante Capital's unusually narrow single-industry VC strategy focused exclusively on technology and infrastructure around the apparel value chain, building structured partnerships with global brands like Levi's, Nike, and adidas who share pricing and operational data under NDAs to help vet startups and secure board seats despite small checks. Her approach stems from economic development work in fragile markets including six months in Kabul, leading her to frame venture investing as working from the inside of an industry to solve what she calls waste across overproduction, unsold inventory, materials, and carbon through early bets on invisible infrastructure like biodegradable polyester made from captured methane and fiber-recycling tech that separates cotton-poly blends.

• A strong focus on the circular economy, specifically regarding technologies that solve end-of-life issues for textiles and reduce waste. This includes highlighting companies like Tyton Biosciences that are developing solutions for recycling blended textiles, which historically present a bottleneck for the industry.
• Interested in deep material science and bio-based innovations that offer alternatives to traditional, polluting synthetics. Tweets frequently express enthusiasm for biodegradable options, such as using wildflower down in jackets or finding green chemistry replacements for silver when treating athletic wear for odors.
• Support for new business models centered on resale, rental, and the sharing economy to extend product lifespans. She often points to major market shifts, such as REI expanding their rental programs or the emergence of platforms like Flyp and Treet, as validation that consumer demand is moving toward access over ownership.
• Investment in supply chain transparency and logistics efficiency. There is a clear preference for data-driven tools that help brands track their impact, such as VF Corporation partnering with Sourcemap for traceability, as well as reusable packaging solutions to mitigate the environmental cost of e-commerce shipping.