Tagged - catalytic capital

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. 

This week: Palestinian beer hits UK shops thanks to social enterprise partnership, AVPN 2026 host city announced, ice cream pioneers call upon Unilever to ‘free Ben and Jerry’s’ – and more.

This week: Net Zero Banking Alliance stops operations after mass exodus, UnLtd shifts its endowment investment strategy, impact film Underseen available to the public, and more…

As Trump’s USA takes its eye off social impact, Europe’s venture capitalists stand at a decisive moment in history, concluded discussions at the latest FASE Impact Fire Talk. But capital strategies must evolve to unleash VCs’ true transformative power.

USAID's near-shutdown is a reminder of the importance of catalytic capital in impact investing – and also of the question of whether access to cheaper money is necessary for impact investing to really work.

Yes, blended finance has its flaws, but Mariana Mazzucato’s critical UN briefing creates a misleading narrative around its role, says Joan Larrea of Convergence. The approach’s real promise is not as a gap-filler, but a market enabler. 

Award-winning economist Mariana Mazzucato says blended finance is not the promised ‘silver bullet’ in scathing UN policy briefing which argues it fails to mobilise enough private investment to meet the SDGs, while financing needs grow.

INVESTOR IN FOCUS: Africa’s award-winning catalytic investor SAB Foundation has an impressive record in sustaining early-stage impact businesses, viewed as too risky by many. The secret lies in how it supports entrepreneurs.

While blended funds offer a plethora of possibilities, it is wise to keep things as simple and cost-effective as possible, finds Christina Moehrle.