The Rebooting Show ImpactAlpha's 'hometown paper' approach
Aug 19, 2025
David Bank, founder of Impact Alpha and a former Wall Street Journal journalist, discusses his journey into the world of impact investing. He shares insights on building a media company from scratch, highlighting the shift from sponsorships to a subscription model. David emphasizes the importance of identifying niche audiences and why persistence is key in this space. The conversation also touches on the complexities of ESG criteria in investing and balancing journalistic integrity with advocacy for social good.
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Assigned Beat Became A Business
- David Bank assigned himself to cover impact investing after leaving the Wall Street Journal and found he was often the only reporter at events like SoCap.
- That journalistic curiosity seeded Impact Alpha in 2014 as a full-time beat turned venture.
Turn Habit Into Revenue
- Build a product your niche will pay for by creating routine, job-essential coverage instead of one-off features.
- Turn habitual delivery (daily newsletter) into a subscription you can charge for.
Audience Defined By Intent
- Impact Alpha targets a behavioral cohort: professionals who decide to use capital for social good rather than a single asset class.
- This 'agents of impact' framing unifies investors, entrepreneurs, and asset owners across sectors.