VentureESG

🌍 The Future of DEI: Is Europe Becoming the Global Leader? Conservative media and activists in the U.S. are challenging DEI efforts, leading some companies and investors to scale back. Meanwhile, Europe remains committed. Could Europe become the new global leader in inclusion? 🔎 Join us as we unpack the global future of DEI in venture capital with a panel of experts: 🎤 Laura McGee | Founder & CEO at Diversio 🎤 Paige Hendrix Buckner | CEO at All Raise 🎤 Rebecka Elming Saidac | Sustainability Manager at Kinnevik 🎤 Roger Vincent | Founder & CIO at Summation Capital 📅 April 3, 2025 ⏰ 4:00 - 5:00 PM GMT 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/eXkAk2aA

🇫🇷🎉 Like everyone else, we were in Paris BUT not JUST for AI; we ran a Mini-FRAME Paris! What did we learn? We spent an insightful afternoon bringing together the VC and LP communities to dive deep into the state of ESG and impact in French VC. 💡Some highlights from the event (more below): -- ESG Growth: VCs and LPs are expanding ESG teams and practices. -- Regulation Impact: regulation is starting to harmonise approaches; governance as the foundation. -- Challenges Ahead: Newer VCs face higher ESG demands, and deep-tech investments need new approaches - including systematically different! We couldn’t have done it without our incredible co-host, Elaia, the fantastic speakers, and attendees who made this event a success. A huge merci to everyone! For those who joined us – what was your biggest takeaway? Share your thoughts below! ⬇️

🌍 Responsible AI matters - and so does responsible investing in VC more generally; that's at least what the biggest LPs told us they are pushing for! Our flagship report (in partnership with Project Liberty) focused on LP/asset owners expectations on responsible investing in VC. We launched it at the Paris AI Action Summit at a panel with Michael Kubzansky (Omidyar Network), Suzanne Tavill (StepStone Group), Anne Germain (Bpifrance) and Nicolas Perard (European Investment Fund (EIF)). The bottom line: none of the 26 LPs (representing 1.5tr AUM) we spoke to is pulling back! Responsible investing is here to stay. ⚒️ MATERIALITY RULES: ESG-washing (including in narrative) is out, a focus on specific materiality-focused repsonsible investing that works in VC is in. 📈 BEYOND REPORTING: While reporting continues to be a major focus of engagement, LPs are increasingly looking more deeply on VC processes and engagement, partly trying to avoid the bad governance disasters of the last crypto-fueled craze of 20/21. Four observations on AI: 1 REGULATION ~ INNOVATION: the two don't have to be polar opposite; one can set the guardrails for safe, open, secure AI. 2 PROCESS MATTERS: whether you are investing in AI or otherwise, follow your process (including in due diligence and around good governance). 3 EXPERTISE WANTED: LPs recognise the increasing importance to gain more expertise on AI - both because of its exponential risks and geopolitical implications; this produces an urgent call to action. 4 WE NEED A VISION: what is our alternative vision for AI (in Europe, for the anti-OpenAI)? We need to paint a positive picture! LINK TO REPORT IN COMMENT (1).

🎟 FRAME 2025 is coming… and early bird tickets are here! Missed FRAME 2024? Or can’t wait to do it all over again? Either way, we’ve got you covered! On 18th September 2025, we’re back in London for another unforgettable day of dynamic conversations and real connections. ✨ 🔥Last year’s highlights: ✅ 240+ attendees ✅ 60+ LPs | 130+ VCs | from 24 countries ✅ The first global conference dedicated to ESG & responsible investing in VC 🎉 And more co-hosts just confirmed – welcome NATO Innovation Fund (NIF), EQT Group, Bethnal Green Ventures, Lightspeed, and 2150 to our incredible lineup of supporters! 📌 Get your ticket now and save 30% with our early bird offer: https://lnkd.in/eWJdwCkk 📣 Not a member yet? We’ve got an even better deal for you: Join VentureESG for one year and get a FREE FRAME 2025 ticket! 🎁 Just drop us a message at hello@ventureesg.com, and we’ll make it happen! 

✨ Tired of all the ESG-doom? Have a look at our first newsletter of the year to get some positive news! As we enter 2025, we’re pushing forward together, with a strong basis in Europe, towards the US, emerging markets and – following our merger with ESG_VC – towards portfolio companies. This edition is packed with updates, including: 🔹 Big News: VentureESG & ESG_VC are merging! A step toward harmonising ESG efforts across the VC ecosystem. 🔹 FRAME 2025: Save the date: September 18! Last year, 240+ VCs & LPs joined us from around the world. 🔹 Internal Fund Management Survey: Help us benchmark the current state of ESG integration by participating in our short 8-question survey. 🔹 New Research & Tools: From ESG for Boards to responsible AI practices, we are helping VC firms & founders integrate ESG with impact. 🗞️ Read the full issue here: https://lnkd.in/ekWvvSnn

BIG NEWS: VentureESG is merging with ESG_VC! We are creating a unified non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing responsible investing and ESG in venture capital globally.   🤝 By combining resources and expertise, we’ll bring great clarity, harmonisation, and support to the entire VC value chain–from LPs to VCs and now also to founders.    🌍 With growing scrutiny of ESG practices, this merger enables us to provide a stronger voice, insights, and tools to the VC and tech industry. 💡 Read more about the merger on our Medium here: https://lnkd.in/e_wgXDDb

🇫🇷✨ We are in Paris for all things AI and thought: why not also do mini-FRAME conference? We decided that yes, France needed its own mini-conference, and we are making the second half of February 13 the day for this mini-Frame, in partnership with Elaia! Like during our FRAME event in London, we are bringing our community of VCs and LPs together for discussions, concrete best practice, and most importantly for creating a community of people in French VC around ESG; here’s a sneak peek at the agenda with more below: 📌 GP / LP Panel Discussion on the state of ESG and impact in French VC featuring SWEN Capital Partners, Bpifrance, Elaia and HCVC. 📌 Breakout Sessions on DEI, CSRD, ESG reporting, and more, led by Revaia, daphni, Serena, European Investment Fund (EIF), and blisce/.   📌 Fireside Chats with thought leaders from Quadrille Capital and Alice & Bob. This is an exclusive event for VCs and LPs. If you’re looking to join the conference, please reach out tohello@ventureesg.com 🔔

🎉 Member Spotlight: Cecile Blilious (Pitango) We’re excited to spotlight Cecile Bilious, Head of Impact and Sustainability at Pitango, Israel’s largest VC fund, and one of the founding members of the VentureESG Steering Committee. 🔎 One key focus for Cecile at Pitango: attract more female founders and building diverse startup teams.  Here are three initiatives that have been working on the fund level: ❶ VC Academy – A program designed to train women for VC investment roles, currently in its 6th cohort. ❷ Amplifying Women Founders – Supporting women entrepreneurs through events like 'Women in Tech' and ‘Yazamiyot' and focusing on health-tech and fem-tech. ❸ Office Hours for Women Founders – Offering time from members of the Pitango team to advise, guide, and increase the funnel for deal flow. 📢 When working with portfolio companies directly, four more strategies proved impactful:  ❶ Phrasing recruiting ads to be more engaging for women and minorities. ❷ Providing salary guidance and conducting surveys to close gender pay gaps. ❸ Connecting companies with diverse talent pools and building bridges to underrepresented communities. ❹ Supporting inclusion training through initiatives like 'Power in Diversity'. 🌍 Besides continuing her support for Pitango, Cecile just started her own advisory firm, Holistic Impact, bringing over 20 years of experience driving change at the intersection of impact, sustainability, and technology. ❓If you want to learn more about the nitty-gritty detail of how Cecile handles her material diversity initiatives and her learnings, get in touch! 🙏 We appreciate Cecile's continued support to the VentureESG community and are thrilled to celebrate her 3+ years of support! Thank you, Cecile!

🚀 FRAME will return in 2025 - save the date on 18th September! Last year, we welcomed 240 VCs and LPs from around the world for a day of impactful peer learning and community! This year, we will build on that success and bring VCs and LPs together in London. British Business Bank, Sixth Swedish National Pension Fund / Sjätte AP-fonden, FMO - Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, British International Investment, Antler, Atomico, Form Ventures, Cusp Capital, The Westly Group and Lightrock are already confirmed as co-hosts —and we want you to be part of it too. 📆 Get your ticket now — and save 30% with our limited early bird ticket:  https://lnkd.in/e4KA7dyT 📣 For those of you VCs who are not members yet, we have an even better offer for you: sign up for one year membership and get one FRAME ticket for free. Just drop us an email at hello@ventureesg.com We can’t wait to see you all at FRAME2025!

📢 We’re hiring a Research Fellow to tackle the critical topic of AI and Responsible Investing! AI is reshaping our world, and with VCs increasingly investing in AI, it’s essential to ensure these decisions consider positive social and environmental impact while managing risks. This project will build on existing work and create practical tools and guidance for VCs to invest responsibly in AI. In partnership with ImpactVC, you’ll lead: 📘 Research and expert interviews on AI opportunities and risks. 🛠 Development of case studies, tools, and resources for VCs and startups. 📃 A white paper and launch of actionable insights for the community. More details below – we encourage you to apply and share! #esg #venturecapital #ai #impact #responsibleinvesting