select Work-4-impact

Deep impact - or just managing risk: pathways from ESG to investing for systems change

I wrote this piece for my client FASE in the context of their annual Impact Fire Talks. It was published on Pioneers Post in July 2023 and explains why ESG investing helps manage risk and conveys an idea of impact, but won't change the wider system. Based on a session with experts Charly Kleissner and Laurence Laplane-Rigal from amundi, we discuss market-rate myths, France's ‘90/10 funds’ and embracing impact NFTs. Read this article here. 

Impact Investing in 2023: Doom and gloom or silver linings?

Another insightful discussion with impact experts, which I covered for my client FASE on Pioneers. Post. Covid, war, economic downturn: impact investors are feeling the pinch. But will they retreat and focus on keeping existing portfolio companies alive and kicking, or can we feel optimistic about further growth? Impact investors from around Europe shared their views and you can recap them here.

Beyond warm glow: why early-stage ventures need more impact-first finance

In this piece that I co-wrote with FASE's Dr. Markus Freiburg, published on Pioneers Post in June 2021, we make a case for more impact-first and catalytic capital to support high-impact enterprises in the famous "missing middle". Check out innovative ways to mobilize the financial fuel that these enterprises urgently need to thrive in this article from June 2021.  An equivalent German article was published in a FAZ Special on the purpose economy in December 2021.

Social Impact Incentives - A new solution for Blended Finance

Do you want to hear how mission-driven entrepreneurs become enabled to provide basic health and energy access to the Bottom of the Pyramid? The article on NextBillion features interesting links to the white paper and case studies cocreated with my client Roots of Impact about the innovative impact finance solution called "Social Impact Incentives (SIINC)".

Skalierung für Sozialunternehmer: Bereitet Euch auf Start (und Landung) vor

Dieser Beitrag entstand im Rahmen eines Kick-Off Events des Skalierungsprogramms "Scalerator" der Initiative Social(i)Makers (gefördert von Interreg). Was sind eigentlich die Fallstricke und Höhenflüge beim Skalieren und welche Tipps haben erfahrene Experten und Mentoren für aufsteigende Sozialunternehmer parat? Die Antworten sind  hier spannend nachzulesen (an English version called "Scaling a social enterprise: how to get ready for take-off (and landing)" was published by NextBillion).

Social Impact Incentives (SIINC) - White Paper

Another co-creation for Roots of Impact: a white paper for the innovative, blended finance solution called "Social Impact Incentives (SIINC)". Besides the white paper, there is everything you may want to know about SIINC, including explain video, graphs, testimonials and expert articles.

Impact Investing - Wie viel Wirkung braucht eine Benchmark?

Die Impact Investing Benchmark von GIIN und Cambridge Associates - von manchen gefeiert, von anderen kritisch hinterfragt. Ist sie der Heilsbringer oder nur ein vermeintlicher Wohltäter mit eher unerwünschten Nebenwirkungen? Für das Portal von DIE STIFTUNG habe ich mir damals eine differenzierte Meinung gebildet.

Wir wollen mehr Beete als Kickertische in den Büros

Kontakt zur Natur und Wertschätzung für Nahrungsmittel: diese Themen sind nicht nur für Kinder lebenswichtig. Christoph Schmitz, Gründer von Ackerdemia und AckerCompany,  berichtet in diesem erfrischend authentischen Interview über das Säen von Teamgeist, kritischen Gegenwind, hybride Finanzierungen und den Mehrwert einer professionellen Transaktionsunterstützung. Here's the English version.

IESO Digital Health: digital therapy can provide the same level of impact as a human therapist can (+ more impact entrepreneur interviews)

For many years now, I have the honor to enjoy inspiring discussions with passionate impact entrepreneurs from Ananda Impact Ventures' portfolio. Every time, the magic of authentic encounters with mission-driven personalities and their big visions and challenges are enlightening to me. Just as one example of many, Andy Blackwell and Valentin Tablan from IESO shared their highlights and struggles with creating a digital (AI-based) therapist solution with me. If you would like to get the juice of the story, continue reading here!

Wir wollen Chancengeber für Integration sein

Die Integration von Geflüchteten ist aus den großen Schlagzeilen verschwunden, doch nach wie vor brandaktuell. Wie kann man die Hürden zwischen Arbeitgebern und Flüchtlingen wirksam überwinden? Zarah Bruhn, Mitgründerin von Social Bee, plaudert sehr inspirierend mit mir in diesem Interview über geteilte Visionen, Denkblockaden, Impact Investoren und ein innovatives soziales Zeitarbeitsmodell.