This episode is part of our new Capital Series hosted by Jason Jacobs. This series explores a range of capital sources and the individuals who drive them. From family offices and institutional LPs to private equity, government funding, and more, we take a deep dive into the world of capital and its critical role in driving innovation and progress. 

Steve Simon is the founder of Simon Equity Partners and owner of the Indiana Pacers. 

Steve is not the ordinary guest you'd expect on a climate podcast. Beyond his professional pursuits, he has become more involved in climate-related matters behind the scenes for quite some time. This involvement spans various domains, including investment, advisory roles, and philanthropy. 

In this episode, Jason and Steve have a great discussion about Steve's journey to caring about climate, how he got started, how his thinking and activities have evolved, and where he'd like to see them go directionally, both for him and his family generationally. 

In this episode, we cover:

• [03:52]: Steve's real estate roots and early investments in retail and conscious consumer brands
• [06:43]: Transitioning from a traditional family office approach to impact investing with aligned values and returns
• [08:21]: Family office structures and how generational dynamics influence investment decisions
• [12:16]: Steve's early awareness of climate change and his involvement in conscious consumerism 
• [15:02]: Flexibility in investment flavors, ranging from returns-focused to impact-driven investments
• [17:19]: Opportunistic climate investing across various sectors, focusing on regenerative ag, waste, electrification
• [18:51]: Optimizing learning, accountability, and data-driven impact assessment in investments 
• [20:34]: The iterative process of investments driving learning, and learning influencing investments
• [24:23]: Leveraging family assets and competencies for positive impact on investments 
• [24:49]: How insights from Pacers Sports & Entertainment ownership inform impact strategies
• [25:31]: Mentorships and partnerships (Scott Jacobs at Generate, Nat Simons the Energy Foundation)
• [27:35]: Merging policy advocacy with investments for impactful outcomes, focusing on regenerative ag opportunities in Indiana
• [28:26]: Balancing short-term self-interest (sports and entertainment) with planetary well-being 
• [33:16]: Dealing with generational guilt and maintaining a positive mindset amid climate anxiety  
• [39:26]: Exciting opportunities in Indiana: wind/solar growth, coal retirement, ag reinvention 
• [41:13]: Why Steve became a MCJ Collective LP
• [45:26]: What Steve hopes to accomplish in the next 10 years 
• [46:25]: Who Steve wants to hear from  
• [47:13]: Steve’s call to action for other family offices  

Get connected: 
Steve Simon Twitter / LinkedIn
Jason Jacobs Twitter / LinkedIn
MCJ Podcast / Collective

*You can also reach us via email at [email protected], where we encourage you to share your feedback on episodes and suggestions for future topics or guests.

Episode recorded on July 13, 2023 (Published on August 9, 2023) 

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*Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant