-
A Spectrum of Solutions: How Impact Investors Are Funding the SDGs
Toniic recently released a report showing how impact investors are aligning their work with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Kristin Siegel, director of Toniic's 100% Network, discusses the findings – which include data from 76 Toniic member portfolios totaling $2.8 billion in committed capital. She points out that the data show how impact investors are "going beyond current media darlings" to include a variety of SDG-related focuses in their portfolios.
- Categories
- Investing
- Tags
- impact investing, SDGs
-
It’s That Time Again – Here’s Your Official SOCAP19 Conference Preview
October is in full swing, and that means it’s time for SOCAP – the 12th annual gathering of investors, entrepreneurs and others helping to drive mission-focused business. It all happens next week, when SOCAP19 will host over 500 speakers and hold more than 150 breakout sessions at the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture in San Francisco. Team NextBillion will be there too - here's what to expect.
- Categories
- Investing, Social Enterprise
- Tags
- impact investing
-
Exit Strategy: How Cashing Out Can Move Us Closer to Universal Energy Access
You might think that a lack of investment is the biggest problem facing off-grid energy companies. But as Leslie Labruto and Sarah Bieber at Acumen point out, in an industry that's seen over $1.4 billion invested since 2012, with only $50 million returned to investors, the lack of exits is an equally serious challenge. They discuss a new Acumen report that demonstrates how the shortage of exits is holding the sector back, and what can be done to address it.
-
An Impact Investing Model Designed for Africa: Why the Continent Should Embrace Search Funds
According to Brendan J. Mullen of Secha Capital, there's a little-known but perfectly suited investment model for Africa's emerging markets: search funds. Often vehicles for young, aspiring entrepreneurs to finance, acquire and grow established SMEs, search funds trust the local market by directing capital to where it’s most needed. As Secha launches a new $30 million fund, Mullen shares how investments in both growth and human capital are yielding impressive returns.
- Categories
- Investing
- Tags
- impact investing, scale, startups
-
A Watershed Moment in Impact Investing: The ‘Ninth Principle’ Shifts the Focus Beyond Good Intentions
In 2014, the G8 Social Impact Investment Taskforce laid out recommendations for the development of the impact investing market, in what Tideline managing partner Ben Thornley calls a "watershed moment" for the sector. Now, he says, that vision is becoming a reality, thanks in part to the launch of the IFC’s Operating Principles for Impact Management. He explores the importance of these principles – and why the ninth principle "is the real game-changer."
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Investing
-
Mainstreaming Impact Finance: Major Momentum and Gaps in the Transformation of the Financial Industry
There are exciting signs of a new level of mainstream corporate interest in sustainable business and finance. But despite the significant progress made in the sector since the 1970s, challenges remain – from lack of transparency in impact measurement, to lack of clarity about what impact even means. AlphaMundi founder Tim Radjy explores why we need to transform the rules of business and shift our systems to sustainable alternatives – and how impact finance can help make that happen.
- Categories
- Investing
-
Understanding the Other Side of the Table: Closing the Gap between Social Entrepreneurs and Impact Investors
In over a decade working in social impact, Ayla Schlosser, the former CEO of Resonate, increasingly realized that she had a lopsided view of funders. In fact, she says, both entrepreneurs and investors tend to sit on one side of the table or the other, which can lead to mutual blind spots and inefficiencies. She shares insights from a Miller Center research project, in which she interviewed 42 investors, entrepreneurs and others to identify best practices and help bridge this information gap.
- Categories
- Investing, Social Enterprise
- Tags
- impact investing, startups
-
Storytelling as a Strategy: What Entrepreneurs Can Gain from Crafting a Compelling Narrative
As Steven Spielberg once said, cinema’s power of persuasion is shown by getting “everybody to clap at the same time.” Likewise, successful entrepreneurs must also tell stories with persuasion and purpose, says Ami Dalal at FINCA Ventures. She explores how effective storytelling can help an enterprise build its brand and attract investors, customers and talent, and shares two essential approaches to help early-stage companies craft compelling narratives.
- Categories
- Energy, Investing, Social Enterprise, WASH
Subscribe to Our 'Business in Global Development' Newsletter!
Our new weekly LinkedIn newsletter features NextBillion's latest original articles, along with curated news, jobs, bizdev opportunities and events from our recent coverage of impact-focused business in emerging markets.
We respect your privacy. Your information is safe and will never be shared.
Don't miss out. Subscribe today.