The power of impact investing comes from the fact that it’s more than just an approach or a screen (or an asset class!) — it’s a movement.
[blockquote author=”John ‘Papa’ Phillips, 1967" pull=”pullleft”]If you’re going to San Francisco…Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair.[/blockquote]
That movement comes together, in all its messiness, at the annual Social Capital Markets conference, or SOCAP, which kicks off tomorrow in San Francisco. It’s one of the rare places where shaggy social entrepreneurs and Wall Street suits can come together to “ignite the future,” the conference’s theme for this year.
All of them are Agents of Impact. Across strategies and stages and sectors and geographies, thousands of people are working to mobilize capital for solutions to social and environmental challenges.
Here at ImpactAlpha and ImpactSpace, our open impact database, we are proud to call ourselves Agents of Impact. We think a strong impact movement requires smart and independent media. As media sponsors of SOCAP, we’ll be all over the conference, meeting and learning from our fellow Agents of Impact (and helping lead four sessions — see details below).
If you’re going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair — and share your impact stories with us.
MAPPING THE IMPACT INVESTING MARKETPLACE / COLLABORATIVE DATA FOR SOCIAL GOOD
Double session: 12:00 PM — 2:15 PM, Wed. Sept 14 2016 @FIREHOUSE
Impact investing tools are emerging for pipeline development, due diligence, reporting, and matchmaking. Zuleyma Bebell, co-founder of ImpactSpace, is helping lead a two-part conversation on open data for social good. Come hear from platform creators, test their tools and identify the gaps.
The second session is a hands-on workshop for building the connective infrastructure needed for mobilizing, sharing, and accelerating the flow of data, deals, and capital.
THE NEXT NEW THING IN SILICON VALLEY? GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT
1:15 PM — 2:15 PM, Wed. Sept. 14 2016 @Cowell Theater
Silicon Valley has a “problem” problem: too many startups chasing too-small problems. Now, Sand Hill Road VCs and tech entrepreneurs are climbing aboard the global economy’s next big growth train: lifting up the world’s poorest 4.5 billion people. Clean water, food security, quality education, financial services — big challenges mean big opportunities to use innovation and technology to deliver sustainable, inclusive prosperity for the 21st century. Julie Hanna, executive chair of Kiva.org, and Sheel Tyle, partner at New Enterprise Associates, join ImpactAlpha’s David Bank to explore the implications of a changing Silicon Valley.
PAYING FOR IMPACT: NEW INCENTIVES TO BOOST BUSINESSES THAT SERVE THE POOR
2:45 PM — 3:45 PM, Thurs. Sept. 15 2016 @C235
It’s tough to build profitable businesses that serve the very poor. New incentives are helping such businesses grow revenues and attract investors, unlocking capital for underserved individuals, businesses, and markets. ImpactAlpha’s Dennis Price will lead a discussion about the opportunities and pitfalls in this new wave of financial innovation.
[seperator style=”style1"]Disclosure[/seperator]
ImpactAlpha is a media sponsor of Socap.