Davos 2023 & The Power of ‘Radical Collaboration’
In late January, leaders and change-makers from around the world gathered for the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. A number of exciting new initiatives have been launched and built at Davos, but as CEOs we share in these reflections, what matters most is what happens after conference to turn this commitment into action. Some examples of high potential collaborations that emerged from the conference include: Catalyst Business Commitments launched by Catalyst 2030 with support from the Global Alliance for Social Entrepreneurship and leading companies such as SAP, Microsoft, EY and eBay to advance social procurement, and the launch of the Ukraine Impact Business Accelerator led by the Impact Force with support from partners such as MovingWorlds, the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, SiLab Ukraine and many others.
Impact Investing on the Last Mile
Impact investing has the power to be catalytic, but many last mile distributors (LMD) struggle to identify and communicate effectively with suitable investors given the high administrative burden of being ‘investor ready’. To help close this gap, our partners at Global Distributors Collective (in partnership with GET.invest) put together a free set of investment readiness tools to help early-stage LMDs start their fundraising journey and pave the way for connecting with investors. Of course, early investors also need to understand that entrepreneurship is a long game. Our partners at Effort Social Ventures recently shared lessons learned from their own early investments and successful exits from Tamul Plates, including the qualities and practices to look for when assessing potential portfolio companies.
New European Regulations Against Greenwashing in ESG Reporting
Regulators and policy makers have started cracking down on fund managers for greenwashing, proposing new rules to weed out unfounded claims of ESG funds through the United States, European Union, and United Kingdom. The biggest tightening will come from the EU in 2023 with the Sustainable Financial Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), which went into effect this summer. To make it easier to understand, Proof and SLR Consulting has compiled the most important information about the new regulations and their impact in this report. For EU-based investors, Proof also put together an SFDR timeline and work back plan to help teams ensure compliance before the June 30 deadline.
Innovation Towards Health Equity in Africa
To enable solutions to systemic challenges such as health equity, stakeholders must work together to create an enabling environment. This includes both formal elements (such as public policies, governance structures, regulatory frameworks, and investment programs) and informal elements (such as cultural, social, and economic norms and practices.) New white paper from the Bayer Foundation, World Economic Forum, and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship shows actionable ways social innovation in health can overcome barriers and promote health equity in Sub-Saharan Africa, and provides insights into how governments can support social innovators and entrepreneurs in creating inclusive and sustainable health systems.
Social Impact Job Vacancy
Upcoming Events & New Programs
- February 7th: Deadline for applying for the Echoing Green Fellowship, open to leaders whose companies are in their early stages and who are experts in the challenges they have chosen to tackle.
- February 14th: Join Unity Effect for a free online workshop, “Leading by Values & Purpose.” Register here.
- February 15th: Deadline to apply for The Ripple Center Fellowship, a fully funded, immersive social entrepreneurship program open to young change makers aged 18-24.
- February 17th: Deadline for applying to the SOCAP Entrepreneur Program
- February 19th: Deadline for applying to the OPEN Accelerator, open to women-led social remote distribution companies operating in Africa to provide energy access products
- February 22: Deadline for applying for the Pizzigatti Prize for Software in the Public Interest
- 10 March: Deadline to apply for the LSE’s 100x Impact Accelerator, a 12 week program that includes 150k catalytic capital. Open to impact companies with a minimum viable product and a track record of creating impact.
- Ongoing: Do you know any impact companies with a story to tell? Or other impact investments or funding initiatives that advance the SDGs + Impact Economy in a significant and measurable way? Use this form to submit your story to Impact Entrepreneur magazine.
- Ongoing: Philanthropy is seeking beta testers for its new app, which helps companies create positive impact with their ESG and CSR goals. Learn more and register here.
Congratulation to….
- Bronze Honey Company Africa was selected as a semi-finalist at Coralus Venture Canada 2023 for its work advancing the SDGs of responsible production and consumption and climate action!
- Burn Manufacturing on its new partnership with Environmental Commodity Partners to expand access to clean cooking in Kenya!
- Caare in his new partnership with Mobius Foundation and WISH Foundation to expand access to rural health services in India!
- Farms to Feed for being selected as one of ten African-based startups for the Catalyst Fund’s inaugural cohort of $30 million pre-seed and accelerator VC funds!
- Kaka Cesspool Services after graduating from the 2022 waste logistics innovation lab organized by the Toilet Board Coalition and Aqua For All!
- Wateroam was selected as the Top 10 Winner of the Global Freshwater Challenge for its efforts to advance access to clean water for all!
A final bit of inspiration
“In such an uncertain and challenging time, one thing is clear. We can shape a more resilient, sustainable and just future, but the only way to do it is together.”
President of the World Economic Forum Børge Brende
