Lighthouse Canton recently hosted another IDEAs event in Singapore last week focusing on the shifting landscape of impact investment.
The panel discussion was guided by Zhaotan Xiao of WI Harper Group and an insightful panel featuring:
- Kieron Boyle, CEO & Director, 100x Impact Accelerator
- Vivek Salgaocar, Founder & Managing Director, Prospect Innovation & Director, Vimson Group
- Adam Ng, Director of Community Investment at Temasek
Please find a recap of it below, we hope this provides for some interesting reading.
This event was held as part of the IDEAs (Investments, Disruptors, Economy, and Alternatives) series of networking events.
ESG, Impact, and Philanthropy – a Spectrum of Intent
Are ESG and impact investments truly distinct, or just two sides of the same coin? The panel mapped them out on a spectrum:
- ESG: Often a compliance game, with standards varying widely.
- Impact: Where profitability meets purpose.
- Philanthropy: High-risk, high-purpose but with low to no profit expectations.
Together, they illustrate that it’s not just about “doing good” – it’s about finding where financial and social goals align, even in the grey areas.
Cross-Pollination of Tech Sectors
Did you know that use cases in Autonomous vehicles can be applicable to mining? Or that vertical farming techniques can be applied to Aquaculture practices? Innovations now leap across industries, surprising investors with unforeseen impact potential. Impact investing is no longer confined to “traditional” sectors – it’s about redefining them and understanding how they can value-drivers.
Making Impact Accessible to All
Investors today want more than returns – they want returns that reflect their values. Microfinancing is one powerful example of how we’re expanding access to impact investments, enabling everyday investors to see their money contribute to planetary good.
Influence from Within
The best impact often comes from within industries investors already know. Familiarity with sector-specific issues allows them to spot areas for change and shape them from the inside. Can impact start from the very fabric of an industry? This “inside-out” approach says yes.
Portfolio: Purpose-Driven Scalability
Scalability isn’t just about growth – it’s about balanced growth. While some impact projects are fast-to-market, others need nurturing.Some level of subsidy will also be required to scale, so blended finance models can help by pooling philanthropic investments with commercial capital for larger capital input.Building a diverse portfolio that holds space for both quick returns and patient capital can drive impactful growth on a larger scale.
Accountability Beyond Greenwashing
Beyond the buzzwords, accountability is king. The panel championed frameworks like the “positive theory of change” to give investments a clear, measurable purpose. Mars and Faber-Castell, family-owned businesses with well-defined impact standards, are leading the way. It’s about building portfolios where every dollar spent has a story to tell.Investors are ready to build not just their portfolios, but a new model for meaningful impact – one that balances profit with purpose and doesn’t compromise on accountability.
Are we prepared to rethink “returns” in this new era of investing?
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