Shows
Scaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast Episode #25: Aligning Incentives and Scaling Impact with Luca Torre In this episode, I am joined by Luca Torre, Founder and Co-CEO of GAWA Capital, to discuss his journey from finance and consulting to pioneering impact investing in Spain. Luca shares how GAWA Capital designs targeted funds that tackle specific challenges like agricultural finance and climate adaptation while aligning incentives through innovative impact-linked carry structures. We explore GAWA’s transformative approach to measuring and managing impact, the importance of capacity-building technical assistance, and how the firm integrates financial and technical expertise to scale solutions. Luca also offers thoughtful advice for enterprise leaders and investors seeking to make a meaningful di...2025-01-0828 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast Episode #24: Building Financial Health and Resilience Through Venture Building with Maelis Carraro from the Catalyst Fund In this episode, I am joined by Maelis Carraro, Managing Partner of Catalyst Fund, to discuss her work investing in and accelerating startups tackling climate resilience in Africa. Maelis shares Catalyst Fund’s unique venture-building approach, combining tailored hands-on support with capital to help startups thrive in challenging markets. We explore examples of transformative ventures, such as companies regenerating desert land and capturing carbon directly from the atmosphere. Maelis also provides insights into the types of capital and support that are most effective for scaling early-stage climate solutions and offers advice to entrepreneurs on designing impactful, financially sustainable solutions. Tu...2024-12-1835 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast Episode #23: Designing Finance Structures for Outcomes with Chintan Panchal from RPCKIn this episode, I sit down with Chintan Panchal, Founding Partner of RPCK Rastegar Panchal, to discuss his journey from international law to building a global boutique law firm that focuses on impact investing. Chintan shares his insights on designing financing structures for outcomes, the role of lawyers in scaling the impact economy, and how innovative contracts can drive better alignment between financial returns and impact goals. We also explore the challenges of creating blended finance solutions and aggregating capital for systemic change. Tune in to hear Chintan’s thoughtful advice for entrepreneurs and professionals looking to build impactful ca...2024-12-1135 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast Episode #22: Building Ecosystems and Catalyzing Markets with Bruce McNamer from Builders VisionIn this episode, I’m joined by Bruce McNamer, President of Builders Initiative, to explore how family offices can be transformative forces in scaling impact. Bruce shares how his career—from the Peace Corps to running TechnoServe to leading Builders Initiative—shaped his understanding of catalytic capital and market-shifting investments. We discuss Builders Vision’s innovative approach to deploying flexible capital across the continuum—from grants to high-risk investments—and how they align their efforts with bold "North Star" aspirations for food, energy, and oceans. Bruce also dives into the challenges and opportunities of building ecosystems, the power of policy and a...2024-11-2723 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast Episode #21: The Role of Regulation in Scaling Impact with Tom Adam and Nick Wyver In this episode, I am joined by Tom Adam, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at 60 Decibels, and Nick Wyver, Consultancy Director at SB + CO, for an in-depth exploration of new sustainability regulations and their implications for the impact economy. Tom and Nick share their insights into the EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and discuss its potential to shape behaviors within the impact investing community. We dive into the complex landscape of sustainability regulation, from CSDDD to the deforestation-focused EUDR, and address what these changes mean for impact investors, entrepreneurs, and corporates. They also offer actionable advice on...2024-11-1331 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast Episode #20: Empowering Social Enterprises with Capacity-Building Services with Mark Cheng from Social Innovation Capital In this episode, I sit down with Mark Cheng, CEO of Social Innovation Capital, to explore his journey into impact investing and the design and delivery of capacity-building services for social enterprises. Mark shares insights on why social enterprises often run hybrid business models and how blended finance and capacity-building services are crucial for their success. We also delve into the types of capital that social enterprises need most, how capacity-building support is tailored to different needs, and the trends shaping the impact investing ecosystem in East Asia. Tune in to hear practical advice for change-makers looking to leverage...2024-10-3027 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast Episode #19: Unlocking Private Capital with Blended Finance featuring Matthieu Pegon from IDB Invest In this episode, I speak with Matthieu Pegon, Director of Blended Finance at IDB Invest, who shares insights on how blended finance can unlock private capital for sustainable development in emerging markets. Matthieu reflects on the role of development finance institutions (DFIs), the critical use of concessional capital, and the importance of risk perception and catalytic capital in mobilizing private investment. We also explore key learnings from IDB Invest’s experience in promoting gender equality and discuss the ongoing challenges of scaling concessional finance to achieve development outcomes. This episode is essential for anyone looking to understand how blended fi...2024-10-1631 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast Episode #18: Using Blended Finance to Catalyze Investment in Agricultural SMEs with Brian Milder from Aceli Africa In this episode, I sit down with Brian Milder, Founder and CEO of Aceli Africa, to explore how blended finance can be used catalytically to unlock capital for agricultural SMEs. Brian explains the origins of Aceli Africa and its mission to incentivize lenders to serve high-impact but underserved market segments in East Africa. We dive into the data-driven approach that Aceli takes, including how they align incentives with the impact they want to achieve. Brian shares valuable lessons learned over four years of operation and discusses the potential to apply Aceli’s model to other sectors and regions. This is...2024-10-0227 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast Episode #17: Balancing Impact and Financial Performance with Dimple Sahni from Anthos Fund & Asset Management In this episode, I am joined by Dimple Sahni, Managing Director of Multi-Asset Impact at Anthos Fund & Asset Management. Dimple shares her journey into impact investing and reflects on the evolution of the ecosystem over the years. We explore Anthos' unique approach to impact investing, the balance between generating returns and driving impact, and the types of investments that have had the greatest positive outcomes. Dimple also discusses the criteria Anthos uses to screen investments for both commercial and impact potential, the challenges faced by women in the investment field, and the opportunities presented by generative AI in impact...2024-09-1824 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast Episode #16: Putting Impact First with Tara Murphy Forde from Global Partnerships In this episode, I have a conversation with my friend and former colleague, Tara Murphy Forde, Managing Director of Capital & Impact at Global Partnerships. Tara shares her journey into impact investing and discusses the evolution of the field since she joined Global Partnerships. We explore what it means to be an 'impact-first' investor as opposed to an ESG investor, and why this distinction is crucial. Tara provides insights into Global Partnerships' approach to impact measurement and management, their framework for making investment decisions, and the balance between breadth and depth of impact. She also discusses notable investments, the debate...2024-09-0430 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast Episode #15: Seek Financial Health, Not Financial Access Alone with Lynn Eisenhart from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation In this episode, we engage in a comprehensive discussion with Lynn Eisenhart, Deputy Director at the Strategic Investment Fund of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Lynn shares her journey to the foundation and elaborates on her work with the Financial Services for the Poor team, highlighting key achievements in promoting financial health for low-income customers. We then delve into her current role with the Strategic Investment Fund (SIF), exploring the concept of patient capital, its significance as an alternative to traditional venture capital and grants, and the innovative financing approaches that have proven effective. Lynn also shares success stories...2024-08-2127 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast Episode #14: Advancing Gender-Lens Investing with Sana Kapadia from 2X Global In this episode, I sit down with Sana Kapadia, Senior Strategic Advisor at 2X Global, to discuss the transformative potential of gender-lens investing. Sana shares her career journey and the founding story of 2X Global, an organization dedicated to promoting gender equality through investment. We explore what gender-lens investing entails, how it intersects with ESG and impact investing, and the compelling evidence supporting its dual impact on social outcomes and financial returns. Sana also elaborates on the 2X criteria, their practical application, and the evolving landscape of gender-lens investing. Join us for an insightful conversation on how non-financial support...2024-08-0726 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast Episode #13: Provide capacity building and not just capital with David McKenzie, Lead Economist at the World Bank GroupA conversation with David McKenzie, Lead Economist in the Development Research Group at the World Bank. In this episode we delve into his research on what works in training entrepreneurs and business development support programs. David shares critical insights on defining and differentiating types of training for small and growing businesses, the conditions under which these trainings are most effective, and examples of successful programs. We also explore the link between capacity building and capital, and the future directions of his research in this vital field. Don't miss this engaging discussion on enhancing support for entrepreneurs in low-and-middle income...2024-07-2428 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast Episode #12: Measuring success based on results, not activities funded with Brian Boland, Co-Founder of the Delta Fund A conversation with Brian Boland, co-founder of the Delta Fund, to explore his transformative journey from tech executive to impact investor. Brian shares insights into the Delta Fund’s mission to improve human agency by addressing extreme poverty, economic access, and racial justice. Drawing from his experience as a former Vice President at Facebook and his roles in entrepreneurship and product development at Microsoft, Brian discusses the critical need for aligning philanthropic investments with missions, the importance of results-based funding, and the lessons learned in impact investing. Tune in to hear about innovative investment themes and Brian’s advice for...2024-07-1030 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast Episode #11: Offer catalytic finance, not just blended finance, with Diane Mak, Head of Impact at Allianz Global InvestorsA conversation with Diane Mak, Head of Impact, Allianz Global Investors. In this episode, Diane shares her journey into impact investing and social finance, reflecting on how the space has evolved over the past decade. She discusses her role at Allianz Global Investors as the Head of Impact Strategy and what it entails for a major asset owner like Allianz. Diane provides insights into how Allianz approaches impact measurement and management (IMM) and the significance of IMM within the organization. We explore the challenges institutional investors face in deploying capital towards intentional impact strategies that address the SDGs, and...2024-06-2622 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast Episode #10: Be an impact-first investor, not an ESG investor, with Arsalan Mahtafar from J.P. Morgan Development Finance InstitutionA conversation with Arsalan Mahtafar, Head of J.P. Morgan Development Finance Institution. In this episode, Arsalan explains why J.P. Morgan started a Development Finance Institution, their unique approach to investing, and how they think about, measure and manage impact. We also delve into why it is important to differentiate intentional impact-first investing from ESG investing strategies. Additionally, we discuss as why it is important to create impact measurement and management standards and what he is doing with the impact disclosures taskforce to advance that objective. Finally, Arsalan shares his perspectives on how the impact investing landscape will...2024-06-1233 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast Episode #9: Provide patient capital, not venture capital with Daniel Izzo from VOX CapitalA conversation with Daniel Izzo, CEO and Co-Founder of VOX Capital. In this episode, Daniel shares why and how he started VOX Capital, a pioneering impact investment fund based in Brazil. Daniel also shares his perspectives on why a traditional venture capital approach didn’t work for the types of social enterprises that they sought to support, his view on the continuum of capital and how VOX provides support to entrepreneurs beyond providing capital alone. We also discuss why funds like VOX are needed now more than ever and advice he has for social entrepreneurs on how to find a ca...2024-05-2928 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast Episode #8: Seek financial health, not financial access with Tilman Ehrbeck from Flourish VenturesA conversation with Tilman Ehrbeck, Managing Partner with Flourish. In this episode, Tilman shares his journey from journalism to venture investing with Omidyar Network and why he decided to found Flourish with a vision to back entrepreneurs working to build a fair financial system. We also discuss the critical importance of seeking financial health versus access to finance, the impact of fintech in emerging markets as well as the potential of generative AI in transforming financial services for the poor.2024-05-1531 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast Episode #7: Measuring companies’ social impact with Hunt Allcott from Stanford University In this episode, Hunt Allcott, Professor of Global Environmental Policy at Stanford University, shares the learnings from his research on economic approaches to measuring social impact of companies’ business activities. In the episode we explore what motivated him to investigate this topic, his unique approach to measuring impact using positive and negative externalities of enterprise activity in dollar terms as well as the surprising findings from applying this novel approach to 74 firms across 12 industries. We also discuss what Hunt believes might be the implications of his research on monetization of impact and its potential integration into social and financial per...2024-05-0131 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast Episode #6: Provide capacity building not Just capital with Rebecca Harrison of AMI A conversation with Rebecca Harrison, CEO and Co-Founder at African Management Institute (AMI). In this episode, Rebecca shares insights on why and how she started a business to provide #capacitybuilding services to African small businesses and #entrepreneurs. She also shares insights on different types of capacity-building services and which ones have proven to be most effective, as well as the role she believes these services can play in supporting more women-led or owned businesses to succeed.2024-04-1540 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast #5: Measure success based on results, not activities with Maya Ziswiler of UBS Optimus Foundation A conversation with Maya Ziswiller, CEO at the UBS Optimus Foundation, about its results-based approach to philanthropy. In our discussion, Maya shares more about UBS pioneering early investments in outcomes-based finance and why it has recently become more active in using blended finance to finance projects in climate adaptation and mitigation. During our conversation, we also discuss Maya’s career journey and her advice to other foundation leadership teams interested in being more active in blended finance and outcome-based finance approaches. 2024-04-0226 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast #4: Offer catalytic finance, not just blended finance with Yasemin Saltuk Lamy of British International InvestmentA conversation with Yasemin Saltuk Lamy, Managing Director at British International Investment, about her early pioneering research on impact investing, how and when development finance institutions (DFIs) can play a more catalytic role in the ecosystem and why it continues to be challenging to scale catalytic financing solutions. In our discussion, we also learn about Yasemin’s own career path and her advice on how to navigate career choices working on impact investing strategies. 2024-03-1926 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast #3: Be an impact-first Investor, not an ESG investorA conversation with Mike McCreless from Impact Frontiers about what it means to be an impact-investor and not just an ESG investor. During our conversation, we discuss how Impact Frontiers defines impact, what have been the biggest achievements to date in impact measurement and management, what work remains to be done and why it is important, to create impact standards particularly for impact reporting.2024-03-0523 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast #2: Provide patient capital, not venture capital with Yasmina Zaidman of AcumenA conversation with Yasmina Zaidman, Chief Development and Partnerships Officer at Acumen, about her experience building partnerships to provide patient, risk tolerant capital as alternative to traditional investment and grant making approaches in low-and-middle-income countries. In our discussion, we also learn about Yasmina's 20+ years at Acumen wearing multiple hats, as well as her advice to social entreprenuers about finding funders who are a good fit for their needs. 2024-02-2130 min
The Blended Finance PodcastEpisode 1: Demystifying blended finance with Kusisami Hornberger, Partner, Dalberg AdvisorsIn our first episode, we speak to Kusi Hornberger who has been an advocate of blended finance for several years. Kusi has been part of the development sector since the inception of his career and has worked at the IFC, Global Partnerships, and now Dalberg. He has seen first-hand how innovative finance can play a role in mobilizing capital in sectors such as agriculture, global health, and financial services. He has also recently authored a book, “Scaling Impact: Finance and Investment for a Better World” in which he talks about how innovative finance can be used to achieve returns beyo...2024-01-3142 minScaling Impact Capital PodcastScaling Impact Capital Podcast #1: Seek financial health, not financial access with Jake Kendall of DFS Lab A conversation with Jake Kendall, Founder and Director of DFS Labs about why seeking financial health instead of just financial access is an important shift for digital financial service providers in Africa. In our discussion we also talk about Jake’s career path, the innovative business model of DFS Lab and the future of digital financial services. 2024-01-3029 min