#25 GKC | ⚖️ Balancing Financial & Impact Returns

Key takeaways from regional investors on impact investing (incl. AVPN, 500 SEA, etc)

Author

Nelson Ng
December 09, 2024 • Est. Reading Time: 6 minutes

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Happy Monday! I’m working from Bali this month. Let’s catch up!

Welcome 7 new members to Good Karma Club! Let’s Do Good, Be Good together.

This week, we’ve some GOOD stuff on:

  • ⚖️ Key insights from regional investors on impact investing during MVCA forum

  • ♻️ Nations fail to reach an agreement on plastics pollution

  • 💸 Fully-funded programs by The Obama Foundation and Mercedes-Benz

💡 GOOD Insights

Source: Malaysian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (MVCA)

Last week, I was invited by Malaysian Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (MVCA) to moderate a panel session on impact investing.

I was thrilled to have an incredible conversation with amazing regional investors who care about impact.

I thought it’s worth sharing some key learnings from the insightful discussion :)

  1. Create More Efficient Resources For Impact Ecosystem
    👉 Government to push for more efficient resources (grants, accelerators, etc) for impact enterprises.
    👉 Public-private partnerships are essential for long-term impact creation.

  2. Be Patient and Transparent with Impact Criteria
    👉 More patience with early-stage companies on impact measurement. But, intention and measurable plans matter.
    👉 Both founders & investors have to be clear with the impact criteria, not "ticking green boxes”.

  3. Balance Financial & Impact Returns
    👉 Impact creation through business is a marathon.
    👉 We need financially sustainable business to create sustainable impact.

  4. Invest in Talent & Foster Collaboration
    👉 Malaysia needs to continue to invest in talent who contribute to a better world.
    👉 Impact community shares the same enemy, so we need to collaborate.

~~

Hope this is helpful! 🙂 

Feel free to reach out via LinkedIn or email if you have more questions.

🎉 GOOD News

🏆 GOOD Opportunities

🚀 Fully-Funded | Obama Foundation Scholars Program | Due Dec 16

🚀 Fully-Funded | beVisioneers Fellowship by Mercedes-Benz | Due Jan 12

🚀 Fully-Funded | Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge | Due Jan 5

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❤️ Amazing Content You’ll Like …

Fellowships Database - a curated list of fellowship opportunities for SEA impact founders (link)

Case Studies of Successful Fundraising - how impact startups raised from various types of impact funding (link)

The story of JALA - A university project turned ID shrimp farming leader empowering 18,500 farmers (link)

👍 How I Can Help

Whenever you’re ready, here’s how I can be helpful:

  1. Let’s Talk Impact - office hours for impact founders to talk about startups or personal if needed (book a timeslot)

  2. Fractional Chief of Staff - Chief of Staff for fundraising / strategy / project management work (reach out via LinkedIn)

  3. Sponsor Our Newsletter - work exclusively with impact brands / tools for impact founders (reach out via LinkedIn)

For daily insights, follow me on LinkedIn.

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