Making investments that garner both financial and societal and environmental returns is increasingly popular in the financial services industry. Below we give you a list of events in impact investing and sustainable and social finance to watch out for in 2018.
Financial Times Climate Finance Summit, New York, February 6
The theme for this February summit is “Climate Finance for Climate Change: Discovering Opportunity.” It is the second Climate Finance Summit held by the Financial Times. The 2017 event saw considerable success, and the 2018 edition will include a keynote from former Vice President of the United States Al Gore. This is a one-day event with leading figures in the climate finance sector, and speakers will speak on issues affecting the United States.
The Economist Investing for Impact: Risk, Return and the Future of the World, New York, February 15-18
This second edition of the Economist event features not only the publication’s editors but 200 institutional investors, policymakers, financers, impact investors, philanthropists, and academics. The one-day event will discuss how investors can help solve growing uncertainly in the world regarding issues like economic inequality and climate change. Speakers and attending audiences include individuals from the world’s preeminent financial institutions, largest companies, wealthiest families, influential foundations, and innovative startups.
Latin America Impact Investing Forum, Mérida, March 1
New Ventures organises this event, which positions itself as the largest regional conference for those who want to make the impact investing and social entrepreneurship sectors in the region stronger through increasing support and funding. The forum enables dialog between the varied key actors—investment funds, NGOs, environmental companies, foundations, business schools and more.
5th Sankalp Africa Summit, Nairobi, March 1-2
In its fifth year, this event seeks to bring together the most innovative entrepreneurs from Asia and Africa to construct new solutions for meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals on the African continent. Along with entrepreneurship and innovation, impact investing is also highlighted as a tool for bringing about a more inclusive and sustainable Africa.
Impact Summit Europe, The Hague, March 20-21
This event is at the top of the list for institutional investors. The event’s goal is to help gather private institutional capital to propel impact and social development investing into the mainstream and finance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Highlights include networking opportunities, knowledge-sharing, and a match-making platform covering all asset classes for managers of impact funds. The conference is, however, invitation-only.
Impact Investing World Forum 2018, London, March 21-22
This global event over two days features 25 speakers, including David Galipeau, UN Social Impact Fund Chief, Tom Slocok, Global Investment head at Deutsche Bank, and Amanda Feldman, director of Bridges Ventures. Sessions for the event include topics like impact investing with fintech and AI, impact investing for institutional investors, and the emerging role of banks in impact investing.
Sustainotopia 2018, San Francisco, April 3-6
This is a top event for financial, social and environmental impact and sustainability. The event is both a conference and a festival, attendees have hailed from over 60 countries, and boasts a rich list of speakers.
Global Impact Investing Network Investor Forum, Paris, October 30-31
The Global Impact Investing Network is an indispensable source for information, reports, and studies on impact investing. The organisation along with PEI Media will launch an event that brings together impact investors from around the globe and those interested in developing impact investment in their business.
The purpose of the forum is to use insight from top research, industry leaders, and networking to help grow the market for impact investing. The event is sponsored by Triple Jump, Netherlands-based microfinance organisation Oikocredit, Said Business School, and Symbiotics.
SOCAP18, San Francisco, October 23
The Social Capital Markets (SOCAP) 2018 is one of the most prominent conferences for those interested in using capital markets for positive social and environmental impact. The event brings together individuals in entrepreneurship, finance, government, business, and philanthropy across a number of social and environmental focus areas. The 2017 event included around 500 speakers and 3,000 attendees.
