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Jane Goodall and Affordable Housing
Can we build affordable housing for all in our lifetime? The authors in this series say YES ? but. Old patterns in the housing value chain can’t continue as government action, public policy or business as usual. A new ?housing ecosystem? is needed to catalyze breakthroughs, support cross-sector collaborations and create sustainable solutions.
- Categories
- Investing, Uncategorized
- Tags
- housing
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Weekly Roundup: Venture Capital Might Just ‘Save the World’, First it Needs Some Efficiency
The Forbes cover story asks: "Can Venture Capital Save the World?" But as the article points out, Acumen Fund doesn?t mirror a traditional venture capital firm. Having led a Santa Clara University study, retired venture capitalist John Kohler says social capital markets could stand to learn a few lessons on efficiency from the VC world.
- Categories
- Investing, Social Enterprise
- Tags
- venture capital
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2011 Social Finance Forum: Investing in Good Deals
Last year, over 300 people gathered for the launch of the Mobilizing Private Capital for Public Good report by the Canadian Task Force on Social Finance. It was a call to action on the role of capital markets to create economic/social sustainability. This year, Canada’s impact investing marketplace will tackle what it means to invest in good deals.
- Categories
- Investing, Social Enterprise
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The Beauty of Bricks and Mortar: Low-cost Housing as a Foundation for Impact
At Acumen Fund, we feel it is high time for the dynamic to change - for the social enterprise sector to recognize the need to catalyze and support affordable housing across emerging markets. But we know there are forces working against us that cause housing to be treated like the forgotten stepchild of the social enterprise sector.
- Categories
- Investing
- Tags
- housing, impact investing
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Housing Series: Establishing Quality Standards for Affordable Housing
Who enforces building standards? If customers are sold a home with sub-standard construction or materials - or their neighbor builds a dangerously unstable structure - what recourse do BoP citizens have? The certification prices we are developing is not a one-time "stamp of approval." Rather, it starts with pre-building and lasts over time.
- Categories
- Investing
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Bridging the Investor-Entrepreneur Gap
India has developed a well-deserved reputation as a hotbed of social enterprise activity. Yet, India’s wealth of ventures face significant challenges in their efforts to build and then scale. Guidance from seasoned investors who have analyzed countless enterprises is critical, and the driving force behind the Sankalp Investor-Entrepreneur Clinics.
- Categories
- Investing, Social Enterprise
- Tags
- venture capital
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Guest Post: Competing in the Inaugural International Impact Investing Challenge
Ours was among 12 student teams from top business schools in the US/UK competing in the inaugural International Impact Investing Challenge. We were tasked with designing an investment vehicle capable of absorbing $10 million to $50 million with positive social or environmental impact while also delivering competitive returns for investors.
- Categories
- Health Care, Investing
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Unleash Social Impact: Ashoka’s Globalizer and Skoll World Forum
Felix Oldenburg is challenging the mainstream dialogue on social enterprise. I had an insightful conversation with Felix, Ashoka’s Europe and Germany director, and a speaker at the Skoll World Forum. He, along with Konstanze Frischen and Maria Zapata, organized Ashoka’s first-annual Globalizer program that accelerated Ashoka Fellow enterprises.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Investing, Social Enterprise
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