News and Views

  • Finding catalytic capital: AVPN conference focuses on Asia’s big challenge

    In the wake of foreign aid cuts, and in its drive to become a world leader in impact investing, Asia needs to find its own sources of catalytic capital to attract more private investment to impact. Where will it come from, and how do we get there, were key questions at the AVPN conference 2025. 

  • Investor in Focus: Why Blue Haven Initiative’s views “irritate everyone”

    INTERVIEW: Trailblazing family office co-founder – and former child actor – Liesel Pritzker Simmons on why more impact investors should wade into the “muddy” world of politics – and why there’s one topic no one wants to talk about.   

  • Expert Insight: How the UK's Better Futures Fund could create system-level impact

    Dr Chih Hoong Sin welcomes the UK government’s rediscovered enthusiasm for outcomes funds with the launch of the world’s biggest fund of this type. But we should look beyond its impressive size to focus upon how it can best optimise impact.

  • When fashion faces the future: the biomaterials startups going back to nature

    Our demand for more and more clothes is bad news for the planet. New, nature-derived materials promise a lighter footprint – but can they convince price-conscious shoppers, investors and retailers to take a leap into the unknown?

The Impact World this Week: 6 June 2024

The most interesting news snippets from around the world. This week: why deeper investment is needed in our oceans, microcredit funds target growth of ‘socio-bioeconomy’ in Brazil, and a social enterprise radio station launches in Wales. 

The Impact World this Week: 31 May 2024

The most interesting news snippets from around the world. This week: A new fund sets out to help Asia’s underserved communities in the AI job race and
diverse social entrepreneurs face major barriers to access funding in Scotland.

 Nicolas Schmit looking at his watch

The Editor's Post: Waiting for EU

It's the EU Parliament's turn in the 2024 elections series. With the far-right on the rise, supporters of the impact economy will be waiting for the result with anguish. This week's view from the Pioneers Post newsroom.

The Impact World this Week: 24 May 2024

The most interesting news snippets from around the world. This week: The social enterprise community pays tribute to David LePage, a new report highlights the value of social value and a strategy to mobilise £1tn of impact capital is launched.