Today, from Fast Company blogger Ann Charles: Philanthropy Is the Gateway to Power.
Filed under: Impact Investing, Social Entrepreneurs
September 9, 2010 • 9:13 AM 0
Big business makes sustainable trash a sexy investment opportunity
The deal snapshot of Waste Management’s purchase of a majority stake in Garick says little about the details of the purchase. However, what is clear is sustainable enterprise is BIG enterprise. Recently, WM has been making investments into companies within the organic composting market.
Major companies, like WM, have opened their eyes to the opportunities in the marketplace for sustainable business models, practices, and products. The door is opening for social enterprises to position themselves in alignment with larger corporations that serve as compliments to their market, distribution, and service. Who knows, perhaps there is even investment in the opportunity. This synergy is also a boon for investors looking for earth-loving and social investments.
-FYI, WM stock gained just over 3% the day of the announcement.
This is not a recommendation for the purchase of Waste Management or Garick securities . This is for informational purposes only. The author does not hold direct positions in WM stock.
Filed under: ESG, Impact Investing, Social Entrepreneurs
September 7, 2010 • 8:47 AM 0
More Business, Less Charity
Blog on Fast Company. Imagine what could be done if NPO’s made a commitment to innovate and scale…
Filed under: Giving, Social Entrepreneurs
September 3, 2010 • 12:16 PM 0
The Guardian interviews Caroline Mason, COO of Charity Bank
This interview with Caroline Mason articulates so much about the struggles, intent, and power of social enterprise and impact investment. As someone who also hails from the “old school” investment industry, her story, her perspective, and her challenges reflect the experience of those of us who work hard to advance impact investing and investing with greater awareness.
Filed under: Challenges, Impact Investing, Social Entrepreneurs
August 30, 2010 • 9:13 PM 1
A eulogy (of sorts) for ShoreBank
Fast Company Expert Blogger Arjan Schütte offers these honest words about ShoreBank and its recent fall from grace.
Filed under: Challenges, Impact Investing, Social Entrepreneurs
August 27, 2010 • 9:27 AM 0
Word is getting out about impact investments
One of the greatest hurdles in the for-profit social enterprise and impact investment space is awareness by consumers, the public, and investors. Along the path of awareness is education. It seems slow at times, but progress is being made. Here is the second installment of an educational article in Financial Planning magazine by Ron Cordes, Co-Chairman of Genworth Financial Wealth Management, on impact investments. The article is informative and well written. Worth a read, a blog post, and a tweet for sure…
Filed under: Impact Investing, Social Entrepreneurs
August 17, 2010 • 9:28 AM 0
A new twist on social lending
Out of an article in the UK magazine, Director, regional lending to social enterprise… Funding Circle.
Filed under: Impact Investing, Social Entrepreneurs
August 17, 2010 • 9:17 AM 0
Water Scarcity Challenge Prompts Innovation… Whoda thunk it?
Fast Company always has fascinating news on new companies and innovations. This one is particularly awesome. Everyone (well, anyone who’s not living in a tree-house) on the planet seems aware of the water issues we face on Earth. At the same time, people and companies waste untold amounts of this precious resource. There will not be one solution, but many unique solutions that come together to improve our access and use of water.
According to the article, World Bank estimates water waste costs nearly $14 billion per year. Imagine if we collectively redirected that wasted money and invested it in innovative solutions to water waste, such as the devices Arad group created? Wow, money and water savings over the long term. Now THAT’S an investment… Whoda thunk?
Filed under: Challenges, Social Entrepreneurs
August 12, 2010 • 9:08 AM 0
Social Enterprise Development Around the Globe
It’s amazing to discover the various ways social enterprise is coming into being around the globe. (Ha! We are literally all in it together!) From social enterprise schools in the UK, to the Hub in San Francisco, support systems for social entrepreneurs are going mainstream. This is a very good thing…
Filed under: Innovation, Social Entrepreneurs
August 9, 2010 • 8:25 AM 0
Yale interview with Harish Hande of SELCO
Ted O’Callahan of Qn of Yale School of Management interviews Harish Hande of SELCO, a for-profit social enterprise providing sustainable energy solutions and services to rural India. This interview speaks well to the scalability, impact, and innovation of the for-profit social enterprise model. What was also intriguing is the comment on Germany’s subsidy of solar energy – government policy, for better or worse, does have broad implications for the marketplace, even in the far reaches of rural India.
Interestingly, SELCO’s impact reaches beyond their direct purpose. Introduction of solar energy solutions has increased local entrepreneurship in the area creating jobs, income, and impact beyond the SELCO model. That’s the true power of enterprise.
Filed under: Impact Investing, Innovation, Social Entrepreneurs
Cre8tive Philanthropy 