Investing in Impact | Impact Investing Causeartist

In Episode 69 of the Investing in Impact podcast, I speak with Alasdair Maclay, Chief Strategy Officer at GSG Impact, on impact data and strategic leadership in Impact Investing.
About Alasdair
Alasdair Maclay is the Chief Strategy Officer at GSG Impact, where he serves on the Executive Committee and oversees the organization’s strategy, communications, development, and funding.
From 2014 to 2019, Alasdair was the Director of Strategy at the Rhodes Trust, where he led philanthropic fundraising efforts totaling over £300 million, facilitated international expansion across Africa and Asia, and established strategic operating partnerships.
With over 20 years of experience in financial services, Alasdair has specialized in emerging markets investment. His career includes a significant tenure at Actis, an emerging markets private equity fund manager, after joining CDC. He also worked for Sovereign Capital, a UK private equity firm, and Bain and Company, a global consulting firm.
Alasdair holds an MBA from INSEAD and a joint honours degree in Russian and Czech language and literature from the University of Oxford.
An active impact investor and entrepreneur, Alasdair is committed to achieving environmental and social outcomes.
Our Discussion
The conversation covers Alasdair Maclay's journey into impact investing, the work of GSG Impact, and the concept of impact valuation.
It delves into the challenges and opportunities of impact investing, the role of blended finance, and the vision for a new economic system where impact is at the heart of every decision.
The discussion also explores the use of impact valuation in making investment decisions and the potential for transparency in impact data through barcodes and consumer apps.
The conversation covers a wide range of topics related to impact accounting, government policies, financial incentives, and the future of impact investing.
It explores the challenges and opportunities in driving better outcomes for people and the planet, with a focus on the role of governments, financial markets, and local interventions.
The discussion also highlights the importance of mandatory impact accounting, capital mobilization in emerging markets, and the need for collaborative efforts to achieve sustainable impact.
Takeaways
Alasdair Maclay's journey from private equity to impact investing highlights the shift towards investment with purpose and the focus on driving positive impact alongside financial returns.The concept of impact valuation and the use of blended finance as tools to attract private capital for positive impact are key aspects of the conversation.The vision for a new economic system where impact is at the heart of every decision and the potential for impact transparency through barcodes and consumer apps reflect the evolving landscape of impact investing and sustainability.The discussion emphasizes the importance of consistent impact data, the role of asset owners and asset managers in driving impact valuation, and the potential for impact accounting to become mandatory for businesses. The importance of data to inform impact-led decisionsChallenges and opportunities in transitioning to a greener economyThe role of financial incentives in driving positive behaviors and impactThe significance of local interventions and sustainable solutionsThe need for mandatory impact accounting and harmonized reporting standardsThe potential for increased capital flow into emerging markets and its impact on economic growthSound Bites
"I think blended finance is one of the tools that can be used to attract private capital.""Our vision is an economic system where impact is at the heart of every investment, government, consumer spending decision.""Data to help inform impact-led decisions""The value of local intervention by people on the ground"

In this episode, I speak with Hardika Shah, Founder and CEO of Kinara Capital, on transforming lives and local economies, by providing access to capital for small business entrepreneurs.
Armed with a mission to empower the 70 million small business entrepreneurs in the country, Kinara has embarked on a journey to provide fast and flexible collateral-free business loans. Leveraging cutting-edge technology and a dedication to customer service, Kinara Capital revolutionized the lending landscape with its digital processes and doorstep assistance.
Over the years, the company has disbursed more than $300 million to over 40,000 small business entrepreneurs, ushering thousands into the realm of financial inclusion. This transformative journey has not only created jobs and spurred economic growth but has also generated over $100 million in incremental income for MSMEs across India.
Before embarking on her entrepreneurial journey, Hardika honed her skills as a management consultant, working on projects for global companies across the USA, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. Her passion for social impact led her to devote nearly a decade to mentoring emerging social entrepreneurs.
At Kinara Capital, the mission is clear: to transform lives, livelihoods, and local economies by providing access to capital for every entrepreneur. With a vision of a financially inclusive world, Hardika and her team continue to pave the way for a brighter future for small business entrepreneurs across India.
I hope you enjoy the conversation, until next time, stay humble and stay creative.
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In Episode 68 of the Investing in Impact podcast, I speak with Robert Keith, the Founder and Managing Principal of Beartooth, on how environmental stewardship can be synonymous with financial gains.
Robert holds a strong belief that the diverse financial tools and innovative growth/exit strategies available to small business owners should also be accessible to ranch owners. With this vision, he co-founded Beartooth in 2005 to empower ranchers with these resources.
In his role at Beartooth, Robert oversees all operations, with a particular emphasis on cultivating meaningful relationships in capital sourcing, investment structuring, and management.
Before establishing Beartooth, Robert gained valuable experience at various financial institutions, including an agricultural investment company, a private equity investment firm, and Morgan Stanley, an investment bank. He holds a degree in Economics from Yale University and a business degree from Stanford University.
Despite his academic and professional pursuits, Robert consistently found himself drawn back to his family's ranch near Cody, Wyoming. Eventually, he made the decision to cease commuting to coastal regions for work and instead founded Beartooth to pursue his passion for supporting ranchers and their communities.
About Beartooth
Beartooth Group is a Bozeman-based conservation investment firm. Founded in 2004, Beartooth partners with ranch sellers, owners, investors, and buyers to restore and steward the lands, waters, and wildlife of the American West. Beartooth does this by crafting creative solutions to conservation and economic challenges.

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This content is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
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In Episode 67 of the Investing in Impact podcast, I speak with Erin Sietstra, Head of Investments at Hopelab Ventures, on her journey, Health Tech, Medicare startups, and the mission and vision of Hopelab.
Erin is responsible for the development and oversight of Hopelab’s work investing in organizations and companies that aim to improve the health and well-being of teens and young adults. In her role, she sources, executes, and manages investments, positioning Hopelab as both a financial and a strategic partner to entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and innovators.
As a social impact investor, Hopelab Ventures invests in companies that support the mental health and well-being of adolescents, particularly in underserved communities. The organization backs founders with lived experience related to the youth and mental health topics it supports. The team believes those founders are uniquely equipped to develop effective solutions.
Hopelab Ventures’ investment approach combines early-stage capital with expertise in research, design, youth co-creation, and payment models to support the development and adoption of better, more diverse, and accessible mental health and well-being solutions for young people at scale.
When you get a chance, please share, rate, and subscribe to the podcast. Enjoy the interview.

Hi everyone, this is Grant at Causeartist, welcome to this weeks Investing in Impact Brief. This week showcases some significant capital injections into the fields of climate tech and affordable housing.
In our first piece of news, Satgana, a venture capital firm prioritizing climate tech solutions, has completed the final close of its first fund. Falling short of its €30 million target due to challenging fundraising conditions for first-time fund managers, they've nevertheless accrued €8 million. The company plans to back up to 30 early-stage climate-tech startups in Africa and Europe.
Moving along, we look at New Summit Investments, which has entered the fundraising arena with ambitions to raise a new $100 million impact fund. Signaling a robust confidence in the continuous attractiveness of environmental and social impact ventures, New Summit's latest fund represents a significant leap from their previous $40 million.
Up next, the state of Texas makes headlines with its bold decision to sever ties with BlackRock, withdrawing a massive $8.5 billion in assets. At the heart of the matter is the controversial and increasingly politicized ESG investing strategy. While ESG principles have been praised for promoting sustainability, Texas officials are pushing back, viewing it as an ideological maneuver that jeopardizes the traditional energy sectors.
Lastly, we report on ABP, one of the largest global pension funds. They have declared a reduction in investments that significantly affect the climate, aiming to allocate more capital to companies and projects that are socially and environmentally positive. The Dutch fund, managing approximately 502 billion euros ($545 billion), intends to invest a minimum of 30 billion euros in "impact investments" by 2030, particularly in affordable and sustainable housing and energy projects.
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Hi everyone, this is Grant at Causeartist, welcome to the Investing in Impact Brief. This week showcases some significant capital injections into the fields of climate technology and regenerative agriculture.
First up, Montauk Climate, a new incubator committed to pioneering climate, infrastructure, and energy solutions, has made headlines with an $8.5 million launch. The incubator is set on assembling the finest tech minds to spur the transition to a sustainable, electrified future. Their focus is on harnessing experienced talent to turn innovative technologies into scalable companies.
In the agriculture sector, The Rockefeller Foundation joins Mad Capital's Perennial Fund II with a focus on expanding regenerative organic farming. They've invested $50 million to support American farmers aiming for both ecological and financial strength. With less than 1% of U.S. farmland certified organic, access to capital stands as a formidable barrier. Funds like Perennial Fund II are integral to meeting the spike in  consumer demand for regenerative organic products.  Since its advent in 2019, Mad Capital has committed over $25 million to 30 farmers, supporting more than 10,500 acres transition to organic.
In other developments within the climate technology sector, Silence, an innovative venture capital firm specializing in climate technology, has unveiled its strategy to support environmental initiatives. Their investment fund, totaling $35 million, oversees a diverse portfolio encompassing virtual power plants and circular economy marketplaces.
Moving to Asia, where Fullerton Fund Management has attracted $100 million in their quest to accelerate decarbonization across emerging markets. The fund explicitly targets investments in companies that are not only committed to but are also actively lowering their carbon footprint. This initiative represents a concrete effort in aligning financial growth with environmental responsibility, an essential consideration in today's impact investment landscape.
Engaging primarily with Asian companies, the Fullerton Carbon Action Fund has a unique strategy. It concentrates on a specific niche in the market that has so far been underserved: businesses with high carbon emissions that are on a clear trajectory towards reducing their environmental impact. It's about fueling the transition of these companies, and effectively, the industry at large.
Finally, we arrive in Brussels, where World Fund has grown to 300 million euros. This venture capital firm is dedicated to supporting startups that develop technologies to combat climate change. Even with economic turmoil affecting private equity, major players like BPI France and PWC Germany have invested in World Fund, signaling a strong conviction in the dual potential of profitable investments and environmental benefits.
Thank you for tuning in. Until next time, stay humble and stay creative.