Mike Winterfield built Active Impact Investments from scratch without prior VC experience, explicitly using his operating background as President at Randstad and senior roles in tech services as his differentiator while learning venture investing on the job. He takes an unusually hands-on, DPI-driven approach at the seed stage, focusing on realized distributions and operational support in sales and talent rather than just paper markups, while positioning climate tech as both his personal mission and professional focus.

• Champions the concept of profit combined with purpose, firmly rejecting the old notion that investors must choose between making money and doing good. This belief is personal as well as professional, evidenced by his decision to move his entire public equity portfolio into ESG funds to join the 100% impact club.
• Focuses heavily on climate change solutions and clean energy as major investment opportunities rather than just charitable endeavors. He showed particular enthusiasm for Jaza Energy's work with distributed solar in Tanzania, noting how it aligns positive environmental outcomes with the potential for huge financial rewards.
• Advocates for a systemic shift toward a better form of capitalism that addresses social inequality to prevent unrest. He frequently shares content regarding the need to evolve beyond traditional market thinking, such as articles warning that growing disparity harms the economy and recommendations for books that explain the necessity of this economic evolution.
• Highlights high-growth social ventures that use technology to solve specific human or organizational problems. His investment announcements often feature companies like Keela, which uses tech to ensure non-profit donations reach their intended targets, and Inkblot, a platform addressing mental health needs.
• Promotes the mainstream adoption of impact investing and celebrates when major institutions or influential figures validate the space. He regularly points to news about socially responsible investing catching on globally, such as when Y Combinator announced their search for a climate change unicorn.