Direct Investing in Startup Companies for Environmental and Social Impact

There is a persistent capital gap for early stage investment in the environmental innovations that address our pressing global challenges. New models for harnessing philanthropic and mission-oriented capital are needed to fill the gap between government grants and conventional investors. A panel with extensive experience in entrepreneurship and impact investing will discuss lessons learned from their investing and fund raising experience. They will contrast the direct and quantifiable impact that can be derived by investing in startup companies vs. indirect investing by means of public equities, ESG-oriented mutual funds, and green bonds. They will focus on new financial strategies that can attract capital from foundations, institutions, family offices and economic developers.