Investing for Impact

Investing for Impact

By British International InvestmentBusinessEntrepreneurshipInvestingManagement
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Investing for Impact episodes

  • IMPACT= Seed-stage venture capital: financing the next generation of high-impact start-ups

    How can development finance better support the next generation of high-impact start-ups across Africa and Asia?

    In the first of three special episodes recorded at the Development Finance Research and Practice Conference, we explore the role of seed-stage venture capital in supporting innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth in emerging markets.

    Host and chair Paddy Carter, Head of Development Economics at British International Investment (BII), is joined by Chirantan Patnaik, Head of Disruptive Ventures at BII, Priya Shah, Founder and General Partner of Theia Ventures, and Francesco Loiacono, Principal Research Economist at the EBRD.

    Together, they examine the evidence behind successful seed-stage investing, the challenges faced by early-stage founders, and the role that development finance institutions, venture funds and catalytic capital can play in helping businesses scale and create impact.

    Recorded live at the Development Finance Research and Practice Conference, organised by BII and the PEDL programme, this conversation brings together research and practical investment experience to explore how stronger start-up ecosystems can be built across Africa and Asia.

    22 min
  • IMPACT = Unlocking sustainable growth in Africa through innovation and investment

    Across Africa, innovative businesses are addressing essential needs, creating economic opportunities and building greater resilience for people and communities. But what investment and support do these businesses need to grow, scale and deliver lasting impact?

    In this episode, Freddie Tucker of British International Investment is joined by Seema Dhanani of British International Investment, David Longdon of Equator and Benjamin Njenga of Apollo Agriculture. Together, they explore how investment in innovative African businesses can contribute to stronger, more sustainable economies.
     
    The discussion examines opportunities in areas such as energy, agri-tech and financial services, as well as the role of development finance, early-stage capital, local knowledge and partnerships in helping businesses scale. The panellists also consider how commercially viable solutions can expand access, support inclusion and address climate resilience. 

    28 min
  • IMPACT= Mobilising capital for Asia's climate transition

    South and South-East Asia sit at the heart of the global climate transition, with rapidly growing economies and significant investment opportunities in renewable energy, climate infrastructure and sustainable development. Yet mobilising the scale of private capital needed remains one of the region's biggest challenges.

    In this episode, Jo Fry (British International Investment) is joined by Gillian Tan (Monetary Authority of Singapore), Holger Rothenbusch (British International Investment) and David Ludwig (ib vogt APAC) to explore how governments, development finance institutions, investors and the private sector can work together to accelerate climate investment across Asia.

    The discussion examines the role of blended finance, risk-sharing mechanisms, public-private partnerships and market-building initiatives in unlocking investment at scale. Panellists also share practical examples of successful climate finance and renewable energy projects, highlighting how capital can drive economic growth, energy transition and sustainable development across the region.

    Key topics include climate finance, private capital mobilisation, blended finance, renewable energy investment, infrastructure development, development finance, the Financing Asia's Transition Partnership (FAST-P), and the future of climate investment in South and South-East Asia.

    25 min
  • IMPACT= Post COP30 reflections on mobilising capital for climate and development

    In this post‑COP30 debrief, BII’s Amal‑Lee Amin is joined by two leading voices in climate finance - Nick Mabey, CEO of E3G and founder of London Climate Action Week, and Rhian‑Mari Thomas, CEO of the Green Finance Institute, to share their reflections on what the summit delivered and how progress can be accelerated.

    Together, they discuss the key outcomes from COP30, examine the funding gaps that remain in global climate commitments, and reflect on how multilateral cooperation can be strengthened at a time of increasing geopolitical uncertainty.

    From the future of climate finance to the practical realities of turning pledges into measurable progress, the conversation highlights why collaboration across governments, institutions, and markets has never been more important.

    Listen to more about the progress being made to tackle the climate crisis, and explore how we can accelerate real‑world solutions to address the greatest challenge facing the world today.

    28 min
  • IMPACT= Investing for gender equity and climate resilience
    In this episode, we explore intersection between gender equity and climate resilience in emerging markets. Recorded during London Climate Action Week, this fireside chat features Lori Kerr, CEO of FinDev Canada, and Leslie Maasdorp, CEO of British International Investment, in conversation at our London office.

    Together, they discuss how integrated investments in gender and climate are already driving transformative change in low-income countries and communities. From empowering women entrepreneurs to building climate-resilient businesses, they share real-world examples of initiatives that are delivering economic, social, and environmental impact.  

    Listen to learn more about how investing with an intersectional lens can unlock sustainable development and improve lives across in emerging and developing economies. 

    33 min
  • IMPACT = Using blended finance to increase private capital in emerging markets
    Across North America and Europe, international development budgets are being slashed. Development Finance Institutions need to ensure that every dollar invested delivers maximum possible impact. 

    Blended finance - where concessionary capital provided by DFIs and others - is used to attract private capital to address acute climate and development needs, is becoming an increasingly important vehicle for doing just that. 

    In this episode of the Impact = podcast, we speak to Joan Larrea, the CEO of Convergence, the global network for blended finance, on efforts to accelerate the flow of private capital into emerging markets. 
    38 min
  • IMPACT = Podcast with Cherie Blair, CBE KC
    For this special International Women’s Day episode, we are joined by Cherie Blair, CBE KC, a distinguished barrister and human rights lawyer. A passionate advocate for women’s rights, Cherie is a true champion for gender equality.

    In this episode we discuss with her the impactful work of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, which she founded in 2008. The Foundation empowers women entrepreneurs in low and middle-income countries by providing skills, technology, and financial resources. 

    They have just published a new report that highlights how digital technologies are a double-edged sword for women entrepreneurs in low and middle-income countries. While providing invaluable new ways of growing a business, the rise in online sexual harassment and misogyny aimed at female entrepreneurs is undermining the benefits of the technological revolution.  

    The wide-ranging conversation explores the importance of economic gender justice and how empowering women can lead to broader societal benefits. 

    36 min
  • IMPACT = Pioneering catalytic capital – A decade of learning
    In this special episode of the Impact = podcast, we reflect on 10 years of pioneering catalytic capital through BII’s Catalyst portfolio. Since its launch in 2014, Catalyst has committed $1.6 billion to high-impact investments, supporting over 108,000 jobs, enabling 100% renewable power production, and reaching 7.7 million farmers.

    We held an event to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Catalyst portfolio and share some of the lessons we’ve learnt along the way. These insights are also included in our ‘Pioneering catalytic capital’ report. 

    To mark this milestone, we are joined by industry leaders:

    • Laurie Spengler, Founder, Courageous Capital Advisors
    •  Michael Anderson, Chief Executive, MedAccess
    •  Raghuram Talluri, Chief Executive, Loadshare
    •  Maria Smith, Chief Impact Officer, BII
      • Hosted by ImpactAlpha’s Jessica Pothering

      Together, we explore the lessons captured in our new report, Pioneering Catalytic Capital: A Decade of Learning, and discuss how investors can drive impact by embracing risk where it matters most.

      24 min
    • IMPACT = Lessons from six years in gender investing
      Worldwide, gender inequality is deeply ingrained in systems and institutions. And women’s economic participation is limited by the discrimination and unequal opportunities they face. Despite progress, the world isn’t on track to achieve gender equality by the end of this decade.

      At British International Investment (BII), we are committed to making our investments work for women and, in 2018, we launched our Gender Finance Strategy. Our aim was to support companies in becoming more diverse, with more women leaders, and more high-quality jobs and products that meet women’s needs.

      Six years later, we’ve taken stock of our progress and what we’re learning, and we’ve shared these findings in a report, titled ‘Closing the Gap: Lessons from six years of investing in women’, which you can find on our website. 

      At the end of 2024, we hosted an event to delve deeper into some of the themes in the publication and ask how we can best support businesses in further advancing gender equality. 

      24 min
    • IMPACT = Podcast with Mohamed Nasheed, Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum and former President of the Maldives
      Mohamed Nasheed, the former President of Maldives - a prominent climate activist and distinguished politician joins us for this episode of the IMPACT= Podcast. 

      He is Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), an international partnership of countries highly vulnerable to climate change that advocates for stronger global climate action. The CVF works to amplify the voices of the most affected nations in global climate discussions. 

      In this conversation Nasheed shares his personal journey from political leader to climate champion. He also discusses the urgent need for global action on climate change, and the vital role of South-South collaboration in addressing climate challenge and promoting sustainable development

      Nasheed served as President from 2008 to 2012, advocating for democracy and environmental sustainability. He gained global recognition for his efforts to combat climate change, including holding an underwater cabinet meeting to highlight rising sea levels.

      He believes that developing countries can share knowledge, technology, and resources to build resilience against climate impacts. By working together, these nations can create innovative solutions tailored to their unique challenges and drive collective progress towards sustainability.

      41 min

    About Investing for Impact

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    We are the UK's development finance institution and impact investor, backed by the UK Government.