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?
We talk with some of Europe's most forward-looking corporate foundations at the EVPA Business of Impact conference. Plus other highlights from this week in the Pioneers Post newsroom.
We need to halt economic growth to save the planet, but sustain growth to meet society's needs. Impact investing can help overcome this paradox, says the co-founder of Astanor Ventures, by focusing on three key principles.
Cross-sector collaboration – and government money – are needed as funding gap left by mainstream investors prevents the social economy from reaching its full potential, shows first in-depth study of catalytic capital in UK.
Women-led businesses – particularly those in the global south – are still struggling to recover after the pandemic. And they have a key role to play in boosting their local economies.
Reporting from Madrid, where Fi Forum attendees discuss the feelgood factor of impact investing; fighting inertia when it comes to understanding investors' true impact; and breaking glass ceilings – this week from the Pioneers Post newsroom.
Expanding healthcare through AI in Africa, publishing city-guides for impact entrepreneurs or boosting inclusion in the startup scene – we bring you some stimulating social business ideas from the Impact Shakers Summit in Brussels.
INTERVIEW: Investment firms can affect people and the planet in many ways – and not just through the businesses they back. The leaders of a new project seeking consensus on ‘investor contribution’ tell us why their work is breaking new ground.
Women workers outnumber men in social economy organisations; leadership and pay gaps are also lower than in the wider economy. But a “considerable glass ceiling” persists. The OECD argues this needs to change.
The Mumbai slum romanticised in the film Slumdog Millionaire is to be redeveloped – but current plans ignore its function as a hub of enterprise and creativity. Sustainability-linked finance could unlock an alternative future.
