The history of the 21st century will show that early in the second decade, pension and sovereign wealth funds that own the world’s largest pools of assets started slowly but decisively to shift their capital toward a low-carbon, socially inclusive, sustainable future. The $70 trillion question is whether such “universal owners” will double down on

CapitalG hits an impact trifecta: Women entrepreneurs boosting math education in India

The venture capital arm of Alphabet (formerly Google) liked Cuemath’s micro-franchise model that helps women jumpstart or reboot careers with afterschool math classes in their homes. The Bangalore-based education startup raised $15 million in Series B financing to expand to 5,000 tutors and 40,000 students. Less than $250,000 in early-stage funding from Unitus Seed Fund

Amazon signs up to train vets for careers in tech

Donald Trump starred in “The Apprentice,” but former President Obama signed into law the first-ever annual funding for apprenticeship programs — $90 million — with bipartisan support. ApprenticeshipUSA has signed up more than 200 companies and organizations to provide on the job training to American workers. The latest company to sign up: Amazon. The online retail giant will work through

Ross Baird has a plan to build businesses and create jobs in rural America

Village Capital founder Ross Baird gets his say in a long profile in Bloomberg Businessweek. His formula: look for three-baggers, versus the 10X returns most VCs expect, in agriculture, healthcare and energy — and look for them in the red states between the coasts. Example: Fin Gourmet, a Kentucky startup that hires disadvantaged workers to turn invasive Asian

Latin American impact investors to convene in Mexico [February 14–16]

Inclusive Economics New Ventures Mexico will play host to the 7th edition of the Latin America Impact Investing Forum in Mérida, Mexico from February 14th through 16th. More than 30 funds will be on hand as the region’s leaders explore how to maximize growing interest in the field from foundations, corporates, faith-based initiatives and universities.

Dell-backed fund targets Indian educational startups

The India Educational Investment Fund, launched in 2014 by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, added two companies to its portfolio. ClipperSage offers English proficiency training for school-aged children. Select Jobs is a jobs placement services for those without internet access. The two investments bring the fund’s deployed capital to $2 million in five investments.

HCAP Partners invests in spas that offer massages — and good jobs

Masseurs and spa attendants can’t be outsourced or automated, at least not yet. HCAP, the California-based private equity firm formerly known as Huntington Capital, made an undisclosed mezzanine debt investment in Burke Williams, a chain of 11 spas in California. HCAP’s Frank Mora said management’s “considerable investment” in employees creates a strong company culture and