In this episode,
August Solliv and Douglas Sloan speak with
Cyril Gouiffès, Head of Social Impact Investments at the
European Investment Fund (EIF), to explore what distinguishes authentic impact fund managers from the growing crowd. From team composition and investment discipline to LP expectations and impact integrity, Cyril shares a candid perspective shaped by years of experience at the intersection of public capital and private markets.
Together, they unpack what EIF looks for when backing emerging impact managers, why team dynamics matter more than ever, and how the market can defend against “impact washing” as the sector matures.
Here’s what’s covered:
- 01:00 – Why Cyril’s early influences shaped his mission-driven investing lens
- 04:15 – From altruism to efficacy: lessons from failed NGO models
- 06:20 – The rise of genuine dual-performance funds post-2014
- 08:45 – Why team quality is the #1 differentiator in impact VC
- 17:30 – EIF’s role in supporting first-time, emerging managers
- 20:10 – Why impact metrics must tie to the business model
- 23:15 – The dangers of forgetting your impact thesis post-fundraise
- 26:00 – Impact failures vs. financial failures: lessons learned
- 28:00 – Why LPs must stay engaged beyond the fundraising stage
- 33:15 – State of fundraising: too many funds, not enough capital
- 35:20 – The call for impact pioneers: back to the original thesis
