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From blockchain to blended finance: GDI and its initiatives at SOCAP

Were you at SOCAP17? GDI and our initiatives hosted five sessions this year at SOCAP, the world’s leading conference on impact investing and social enterprise:

  • Alice Gugelev, GDI: Transforming INGO Business Models: The Role of Market-based Solutions and Impact Investing
  • Erika Boll, GDI: How Blockchain will Change the Way We Invest for Impact
  • Marina Kaneti, GDI: Changing the Narrative for Women Entrepreneurs in Emerging Markets
  • Convergence [exited]: Mind the Gap: How to Achieve the SDGs with Blended Finance
  • New Standard Institute [GDI supporting]: The $2.5 Trillion Challenge Hanging in Our Closets: Can the Fashion Industry Become a Source for Good?

Scroll down for some of our favorite photos and quotes from the sessions:

Transforming INGO Business Models: The Role of Market-based Solutions and Impact Investing

Marilia Bezerra (CARE Enterprises) on bringing impact investing into INGO business models: “We need to become less transactional and more relational.” 

Richard Gomes, of Shell Foundation, discussing the future of INGO business models: “We’re obsessed with attribution of impact, by additionality. I don’t think we crack any problems if we don’t first tackle this issue.”

Alice Gugelev of GDI and Patrick Fine from FHI360.
GDI’s Alice Gugelev leads discussion on INGO business models with Drew von Glahn (World Bank), Richard Gomes (Shell Foundation), Marilia Bezerra (CARE Enterprises), and Patrick Fine (FHI360).

 

How Blockchain Will Change the Way We Invest for Impact

GDI’s Erika Boll started the conversation on blockchain for impact with the basics: “How would you explain blockchain to your grandparent?”

Shane Ninai (Day One Capital) on the risks of blockchain: “‘Fail fast and cheaply’ doesn’t work as well in emerging markets as it might in Silicon Valley.” 

GDI’s Erika Boll leads a session with Shane Ninai (Day One Capital) John Karr, Asia Foundation, and Johnathan Cosino Jaranilla (Sead Phase Ventures)

Changing the Narrative for Women Entrepreneurs in Emerging Markets

GDI’s Marina Kaneti: “How much longer are we just going to fund women for basket weaving?”

Victoria Fram of VilCap Investments: “The perception in Silicon Valley is that women only start women-centric businesses.  Based on what we see in our portfolio, it’s a myth.” 

Tahira Dosani of Accion Venture Lab: “People forget women are 50% of consumer base – that provides an important business case for entrepreneurs who can design for what these consumers want and need.”

GDI’s Marina Kaneti (far right) leads a session on women’s entrepreneurship with Tahira Dosani (Accion Venture Lab), Victoria Fram (VilCap Investments), Linda Davis (wPower), and Valerie Popelka (Kuli Kuli Inc.)

 

Mind the Gap: How to Achieve the SDGs with Blended Finance

Convergence’s Joan Larrea: “Simple structures (that can be analyzed in 5 mins) are the holy grail of  blended finance.”

Jason Henning of Global Partnerships: “Getting the right blended finance investors and structures together is like finding a needle in a haystack…and also having to thread it while in the haystack.”

Convergence’s Joan Larrea leads a discussion on blended finance for the SDGs with Lauren Cochran (Blue Haven Institute), Agnes Dasewicz (USAID), Jason Henning (Global Partnerships), and Tammi Kesselman (UNSIF).
 

Were you at SOCAP17? GDI and our initiatives hosted five sessions this year at SOCAP, the world’s leading conference on impact investing and social enterprise:

  • Alice Gugelev, GDI: Transforming INGO Business Models: The Role of Market-based Solutions and Impact Investing
  • Erika Boll, GDI: How Blockchain will Change the Way We Invest for Impact
  • Marina Kaneti, GDI: Changing the Narrative for Women Entrepreneurs in Emerging Markets
  • Convergence [exited]: Mind the Gap: How to Achieve the SDGs with Blended Finance
  • New Standard Institute [GDI supporting]: The $2.5 Trillion Challenge Hanging in Our Closets: Can the Fashion Industry Become a Source for Good?

Scroll down for some of our favorite photos and quotes from the sessions:

Transforming INGO Business Models: The Role of Market-based Solutions and Impact Investing

Marilia Bezerra (CARE Enterprises) on bringing impact investing into INGO business models: “We need to become less transactional and more relational.” 

Richard Gomes, of Shell Foundation, discussing the future of INGO business models: “We’re obsessed with attribution of impact, by additionality. I don’t think we crack any problems if we don’t first tackle this issue.”

Alice Gugelev of GDI and Patrick Fine from FHI360.
GDI’s Alice Gugelev leads discussion on INGO business models with Drew von Glahn (World Bank), Richard Gomes (Shell Foundation), Marilia Bezerra (CARE Enterprises), and Patrick Fine (FHI360).

How Blockchain Will Change the Way We Invest for Impact

GDI’s Erika Boll started the conversation on blockchain for impact with the basics: “How would you explain blockchain to your grandparent?”

Shane Ninai (Day One Capital) on the risks of blockchain: “‘Fail fast and cheaply’ doesn’t work as well in emerging markets as it might in Silicon Valley.” 

GDI’s Erika Boll leads a session with Shane Ninai (Day One Capital) John Karr, Asia Foundation, and Johnathan Cosino Jaranilla (Sead Phase Ventures)

Changing the Narrative for Women Entrepreneurs in Emerging Markets

GDI’s Marina Kaneti: “How much longer are we just going to fund women for basket weaving?”

Victoria Fram of VilCap Investments: “The perception in Silicon Valley is that women only start women-centric businesses.  Based on what we see in our portfolio, it’s a myth.” 

Tahira Dosani of Accion Venture Lab: “People forget women are 50% of consumer base – that provides an important business case for entrepreneurs who can design for what these consumers want and need.”

GDI’s Marina Kaneti (far right) leads a session on women’s entrepreneurship with Tahira Dosani (Accion Venture Lab), Victoria Fram (VilCap Investments), Linda Davis (wPower), and Valerie Popelka (Kuli Kuli Inc.)

Mind the Gap: How to Achieve the SDGs with Blended Finance

Convergence’s Joan Larrea: “Simple structures (that can be analyzed in 5 mins) are the holy grail of  blended finance.”

Jason Henning of Global Partnerships: “Getting the right blended finance investors and structures together is like finding a needle in a haystack…and also having to thread it while in the haystack.”

Convergence’s Joan Larrea leads a discussion on blended finance for the SDGs with Lauren Cochran (Blue Haven Institute), Agnes Dasewicz (USAID), Jason Henning (Global Partnerships), and Tammi Kesselman (UNSIF).