Summary:

How do we get more money for those who need it? Charity only accounts for less than 1% of all the money globally, and has stayed consistently flat over time. We need more ways to help people prosper.

Impact investing is a rapidly growing approach that uses capital markets to solve social problems. My guest this week, Geoff Woolley, is a pioneering impact investor with experience growing social impact companies around the world. He'll change the way you think about traditional investing and about the good that business can do.

About Our Guest:

Geoff has been involved in impact investing and microfinance since he joined Unitus Labs as a board member in 2001. During his time as Unitus Lab’s Capital Markets Chair, he was instrumental in the launch of Unitus Equity Fund, the first commercially focused microfinance equity investment fund, and Unitus Capital, the first investment bank focused on serving microfinance institutions and social enterprises throughout Asia.

As co-founder and current board chair, Geoff launched the largest and most successful student-led venture fund in the United States—the $18.5 million University Venture Fund—and the University Impact Fund, which partners university students with top-tier impact investing firms, social enterprises, developmental finance institutions, and philanthropic foundations for real-time impact investing projects and investments. Geoff has been active in private equity investing for over 25 years, founding two successful venture funds in the United States and Europe. He pioneered the concept of venture debt and has invested in over 400 companies in his career.

Useful Links:

Unitas Capital facilitates access to capital for the business to scale, innovate, and deliver deep social and environmental impact.

Epic Ventures is an investment company working with driven entrepreneurs to build successful and lasting companies.

Patamar Capital We are a leading venture capital firm focused on South and Southeast Asia’s mass market.

Muhammad Yunus His objective was to help poor people escape from poverty by providing loans on terms suitable to them and by teaching them a few sound financial principles so they could help themselves.

Merit leadership.com Help your team make good decisions in tough moments. With flexible delivery options, and customized versions for Health Care, Law Enforcement, Military, Cyber Security, and more—it’s easier than ever to help people make good decisions.

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