This week: UK pensions bill amendment aims to clarify fiduciary duty to unlock funding, four social outcomes funds launch in Africa, how ships could soon be powered by algae – and more.
Venture capital isn’t always the best option to back impact startups, especially as the approach is coming under increasing criticism. Dr Markus Freiburg flags a new fund which could help finance a new, innovation-driven impact middle market.
OPINION: As one of the UK's pioneer social investors, Big Issue Invest, celebrates its 20th birthday, new managing director Holger Westphely and original co-founder Nigel Kershaw say the concept is proven - but prepare for uncharted waters ahead.
Impact assets under management keep growing but yearly investment volume drops as impact investors report economic headwinds – while they move towards 'safe' investments in mature companies and developed markets.
Sixth annual meeting of SpainNAB in Madrid sees government reinforce its commitment to backing the country’s growing impact investing movement, as the €400m 'Fondo de Impacto Social' marks its first year of investments.
Ahead of Impact Week in Malmö, Leslie Johnston talks about how the impact community needs to work with ‘unlikely allies’ if it is to tackle today’s existential challenges – and why impact investors need to listen to the voices of social innovators on the ground.
INTERVIEW: Social enterprises too often slip into ‘charity talk’, so how can they be taken seriously as an economic force by the UK government? The chair of Social Enterprise UK discusses his meetings with Keir Starmer, his impatience for change in social investment – and racism.
Climate adaptation solutions remain under-invested despite the massive opportunities they offer. Impact investors must lead the way by combining both their capital and their influencing power to reframe climate adaptation as the smart thing to do.