EPF Tech Fund’s Post

Great insights! This article perfectly highlights the different approaches needed when scaling with government. It's not a one-size-fits-all situation. Each partnership requires tailored strategies and a deep understanding of the government's structure, priorities, and constraints. Cc:The Sanergy Collaborative

Since its inception, Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) has been at the forefront of supporting innovators poised to make a difference in #health and #economic challenges for the international community. In our latest case study report author Julie Howard highlights GCC’s use of scale and #sustainability in every area of their funding. But our approach isn't just about funding—it's about catalyzing lasting change. Impact assessments show that innovations sustain and grow even after GCC funding ends, underscoring the effectiveness of our flexible support and focus on local leadership. Explore the full potential of innovation that addresses global challenges and creates meaningful change. https://lnkd.in/eWUtkspu

Inspired by the energy of Taftie Annual Conference on #socialimpact where #publicfunding innovation agencies met to reflect, share best practices and foster #socialinnovation. I had the privilege to address the audience on the pivotal role public funding agencies play in unlocking social innovation. Innovation agencies have a unique position to drive social change. By leveraging flexible #financialinstruments such as grants, concessional loans, and equity investments, these agencies can mitigate investment risks and fill financing gaps. I stressed the important #catalytic role they can play, collaborating (#blendedfinance and #risksharing instruments)to crowd in private capital. Additionally, I highlighted three key features that public funding agencies should pay attention to: 1. Do No Significant Harm 2. Materiality and 3. Additionality I finished acknowledging some #barriers that public financing of social innovation needs to overcome. 1. Short-term planning and budget cycles 2. Risk aversion 3. Regulatory and legislative constraints. 4. High transaction costs: 5. Organizational readiness: often a key issue is not lack of funding or impactful innovations but our own lack of capacity, expertise, and a culture that supports including social innovation as a funding priority. Overcoming these barriers requires a concerted effort to adapt policies and practices that support #longterm, impactful social innovation. Furthermore, continue fostering #collaborations between #public and #private sectors is vital. Such #partnerships enable us to combine resources and expertise, enhancing the effectiveness and reach of social innovation initiatives. Thank you Innosuisse for the opportunity to speak and for your dedication to fostering social innovation. #Taftie2024 #SocialInnovation #PublicFunding #SocialImpact #imdimpact Annalise Eggimann Sandra Villiger Annika Nussbaum

[E-Newsletter] Good Practice: Akina, “Bold Action” in New Zealand    Originally founded as the Hikurangi Foundation in 2008, Akina has evolved into a leader in supporting social enterprises that tackle climate change and environmental issues. Since its renaming in 2014, reflecting a commitment to "Bold Action," Akina has been at the forefront of enabling grassroots innovation in areas like transport, housing, waste, and energy 🌍. Through services like training workshops, advisory sessions, and incubators, Akina helps early-stage and established social enterprises bring impactful ideas to life. Whether it's supporting Bloom Pukekohe’s program for adults with disabilities, guiding Beca to increase its social impact, or scaling Leaft Foods’ plant-based protein innovations, Akina is driving positive change across industries.    https://lnkd.in/g6bC_MdG #AkinaFoundation #SocialEnterprise #BoldAction #Sustainability #ClimateAction #Innovation #ImpactInvestment #EnvironmentalChange #NewZealand FT 

Transforming waste into wellness: SOSO CAREhas a holistic approach to tackling Nigeria's waste crisis and healthcare financing gaps. Through strategic initiatives enabled by GSMA funding, Soso Care is revolutionising how waste is managed, while ensuring more families have access to essential health coverage. See their impactful journey and learn how they're reshaping the #Platic #WasteManagement ecosystem in Nigeria. 👉 https://ow.ly/PpGQ50Sn4m0

You are warmly invited to bring in your perspective to the interdisciplinary and innovative team on 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐋𝐚𝐛 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡. Join our Kickstarter workshop on Tuesday afternoon 23 April! ➡ https://lnkd.in/ew6G9JXF Transformations towards sustainable food systems are necessary and will become more pressing in light of climate change, especially in Africa 🌍. In response, entrepreneurs, businesses and policymakers are developing food system innovations through the use of so-called Living Labs. But how prepared are intended users (especially households) to adopt these food system innovations? That is the key challenge this Incubator team will seek to address. The aim is to build on the work of Healthy Food Africa, a consortium comprised of 10 food system labs in 10 cities and 6 countries in Eastern, Western, and Southern Africa. There the focus was more on what the innovations should be, and this Incubator aims to explore how to adopt them. Harrison Esam Awuh, Joost de Laat, Rashmi Sasidharan, Maria Gabriela Matias de Pinho, Fatima Denton, Martijn Huysmans

Many thanks Samantha Caccamo for inviting me to join the #SocialBusinessConference on a panel discussing what it takes to support the development of #SocialEnterprises and #SustainableEnterprises. This is a topic deeply close to my heart and it was fascinating to be the academic voice in a panel of excellent speakers coming from both sustainable businesses and impact investing. The innovative enterprises that I learnt about, which aim to make the global food systems more sustainable, have been truly inspiring! It was amazing how much the experiences of agri-food start-ups in Switzerland resonated with what I know about #SociaEenterprises and #sustainable/ #green start-ups in other countries and even continents. This re-affirmed my conviction that knowledge sharing can go to great lengths as both challenges and best practices are quite widespread. In particular, key insights and best practice that I believe are worth sharing include: - Any start-up, no matter what #impact it is trying to make, needs to focus on quality first and foremost. Social or environmental impact are not enough to attract mass consumers, but quality (at comparable pricing) - that matches or surpasses what is already in the market - can make a huge difference - Combining profitability (which is essential) with positive #social and/or #environmental impact requires #creativity and #innovation, either in the form of new technologies or in the form of recombining existing ideas and tools in novel ways. - No innovation or creation of multiple value(s) can be done without #partnering with multiple stakeholders in the value chain. When starting, it is probably better to build strong partnerships with like-minded people than to dilute efforts engaging with many potential suppliers and other resource providers. - #Social and #sustainable start-ups cannot make it on their own without a supportive #ecosystem. This involves #policy-makers, #education institutions, #suppliers and #investors all doing their part. From encouraging critical thinking and going to the roots of issues, to supporting attempts of driving #SystemsChange and rewarding those that try to create positive impact alongside profits, with a long-term view. Would be curious to know what social entrepreneurs and impact investors think on all of this and whether there are more best practices they would like to share! Meanwhile, a huge thanks to fellow panel members: Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni, Aymeric Jung and Freddy Hunziker

The goal of the Relinked Social Impact in Action Forum is to enhance a lifetime commitment to social impact. We are encouraging everyone to consistently and actively contribute to positive change in the entirety of their lives. That, instead of short-term charitable efforts, you will be empowered to go beyond occasional acts of benevolence, to an enduring practice of exploring, ideating, and co-creating solutions that address the pressing global challenges of our time, for posterity. We believe that things can be better, and the world can get better. We are upbeat to promote and rally efforts towards the actualization of Regenerative Futures; a concept that invites all of us to reimagine our relationship with the planet and envision a healthier ecosystem. This involves supporting people, places, and cultures to express their unique contributions to the health and vitality of our interconnected world. By doing so, we serve ourselves, our communities, and all life as a whole. It is also about nurturing interconnectedness, learning from nature, and creating a world where thriving is possible for all. The forthcoming 3rd edition of the forum will therefore explore how individuals and organizations can leverage mutual collaborations to enhance positive social impact and sustainable development and align their policies, strategies, initiatives, and impact objectives to shape an ecosystem where regenerative mindsets, cultures, and practices catalyze a new horizon of change. Join us on Friday, May 24, 2024, from 12:30 pm to 5:00 pm at the Kenya Comfort Hotel & Suites, Milimani, Nairobi, for a time of learning, connecting with others, and celebrating the extraordinary impact of organizations doing powerful work within their spheres of influence. Register through this Google Form link https://lnkd.in/dTiNkukj to book your slot.

📅 Between September 2021 and May 2023 Knorr-Bremse Global Care Asia Pacific Limited together with The Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Fund (SIE Fund) funded the ‘Reconnect with Forest Nature Immersion Programme’ of Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) in Hong Kong. 🧒 161 individuals in seven cohorts participated in the six-weeks programme, which aimed for offering participants experiential learning to connect with nature and foster positive relationships with themselves, others, and the natural world. 💡 Feedbacks of participants (pupils and parents) shows splendidly results: Not only did we experience a growth in self-awareness, relationship building, and environmental stewardship. But also, an exceeding aim around confidence, collaboration, and curiosity. Lastly, we were also experiencing a more empowering and significant impact effect of the programme on participants joining as families. Watch the video to get more insights into the pogramme.

Our UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science based commercialisation project, SusBioME, has been highlighted in PwC Ireland's latest Irish Climate Tech Opportunity report. This report, produced in partnership with @SustainabilityWorks Ireland, shines a light on Ireland’s most innovative Climate Tech entrepreneurs. The SusBioME team, James Lyng, Bernie Fitzpatrick, Norman Maloney, and myself are delighted to be covered along with such company. The report covers leaders who are developing unique solutions to mitigate climate change impacts. While SusBioME has received great support from Enterprise Ireland and NovaUCD, quite a few of these entrepreneurs are addressing local challenges and scaling solutions internationally without formal government support. With targeted investment and recognition, including venture capital and government funding, the sector has the potential to soar. The report can be found here: www.pwc.ie/climatetech, it's a great document for learning about ground-breaking innovations and the economic opportunities; there is great momentum in Ireland in this sector! #ClimateTech #Decarbonisation #Energy #Renewables