For startups aiming to make a positive difference in the world, balancing profit with purpose can be a delicate task. At TechCrunch Disrupt 2024, founders and investors shared their insights on how to navigate this challenge. According to Allison Wolff, co-founder and CEO of Vibrant Planet, investor and shareholder expectations often clash with the complexity of social and environmental problems. To address this, Wolff's company has registered as a public benefit corporation, which requires reporting on impact alongside financial performance.

Another approach is to design a business model that tightly couples purpose and profit. Areeb Malik, co-founder of robotic recycling company Glacier, emphasized the importance of finding opportunities where profitability aligns with positive impact. By doing so, startups can attract investors who share their values and goals.

However, Hyuk-Jeen Suh, general partner at SkyRiver Ventures, cautioned that mission alone is not enough. Startups must also focus on scalability and building a foundation for mass production and marketing. Ambition and vision are crucial for driving real impact, and startups should aim high to make a meaningful difference.