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.
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.
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.
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?
An emerging generation of impact entrepreneurs are using AI for positive impact – but in a fast-moving field, they will have to be agile to survive while avoiding mission-drift. Also this week: will B Lab's new standards woo back the B Corp leavers?
This week: Ashoka’s Bill Drayton awarded ‘global treasure’ status by Skoll, how Ukraine’s social entrepreneurs defy the rockets, the least popular SDG for impact investors revealed, and more.
From tracking underwater creatures to optimising crop yields, many entrepreneurs now use AI to tackle environmental challenges. But, with much uncertainty – and concerns about AI’s negative impact – they’re entering unknown waters.
After four years of consultation alongside regular criticism of the certification requirements, B Lab contends that its new model meets the needs of a world facing a climate crisis, growing inequality and increasing corporate regulatory complexity.
Autocracy is on the rise, freedom of speech is under threat and trust in institutions is declining. But impact investors could play a bigger role in defending democracy. This was the topic under discussion at last week’s Impact Fire Talk, hosted by FASE.
Many discussions at the 2025 Skoll World Forum centred on the impact of the latest edicts from the White House. While anxieties prevailed, some emphasised the positives. This week’s view from the Pioneers Post newsroom.
Founder Jeff Skoll launches emergency fund in response to US government ‘efficiencies’, while MacArthur Foundation president urges other funders to follow its lead in releasing more funds during Donald Trump’s presidency.
Speaking alongside Mary Robinson at the Skoll World Forum 2025, the world’s youngest Nobel prizewinner warns that women’s rights everywhere could be vulnerable to attack by oppressive regimes.
