ImpactAlpha Podcasts

ImpactAlpha
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May 9, 2025 • 23min

What’s the buzz at Milken + Which impact archetype are you?

Host Brian Walsh takes up ImpactAlpha’s top stories with editor Jessica Pothering. Up this week: With US markets all over the place, investors at the Milken Global Conference shift their focus to ownership, AI, and the rest of the world. How impact investors are responding to proposed cuts to health and medical research (8:33). And, forget your astrological sign – Phenix Capital proposes four archetypes for impact fund managers (15:23).Story links:“With markets down, up and sideways, investors look to ownership, AI and the rest of the world,” by Amy Cortese and David Bank“KKR’s Pete Stavros: Employee ownership is a competitive advantage in private equity (Q&A),” by David Bank and Roodgally Senatus"With medical research funding in peril, one biotech VC firm pushes innovation forward," by Jessica Pothering"Illusionist, Learner, Achiever or Champion: What kind of impact fund manager are you?," by Phenix Capital’s Daniel Moreno and Mohit Saini
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May 5, 2025 • 19min

How JFF Ventures is upskilling low-wage workers and enabling solopreneurs

JFF Ventures’ Yigal Kerszenbaum joins David Bank on the latest Agents of Impact podcast. The venture capital fund is betting on a high-road vision of workforce innovation – and AI – to expand economic mobility for workers amid technological disruption and economic uncertainty.Read Kerszenbaum's op-ed on ImpactAlpha.Timecodes:00:00 The Role of Impact Investing in Economic Mobility04:44 Navigating the AI Landscape for Job Security08:13 Creating Pathways to Higher Wage Jobs10:31 Supporting Non-Traditional Workers and Solopreneurs14:23 The Shift in Education and Entrepreneurship16:38 Investability of Wealth Building Strategies
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May 2, 2025 • 20min

Pages from the playbook for shared prosperity + a report card for pay-as-you-go solar

Host Brian Walsh takes up ImpactAlpha’s top stories with editor David Bank. Up this week: Some initial entries into the playbook for shared prosperity. How inflation and economic instability is affecting pay-as-you-go financing in the off-grid solar market (08:40). And, why Tom Steyer see now as a buying opportunity for climate investors with dry powder to deploy (13:50).Relevant links:“Galvanize’s Tom Steyer on why now is a good time for climate investors with cash (Q&A),” by David Bank“⁠Defaults on pay-as-you-go solar tick up with income pressure and financial literacy challenges⁠,” by Lucy NgigeContribute a strategy to the playbook through this short form
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Apr 25, 2025 • 16min

Climate tech is weathering political turbulence.

Host Brian Walsh takes up ImpactAlpha’s top stories with editor David Bank. Up this week: How climate tech founders and funders are planning to ride out the political storm. What the lackluster fundraising totals for TPG NEXT means for emerging and diverse managers (07:00). Plus, five promising pages in the playbook for shared prosperity (11:56).Relevant links:Climate tech is counting on falling costs, rising demand to ride out the political stormLackluster fundraising for TPG NEXT sends mixed signals to emerging and diverse managersRe:Construction: Five promising pages in the playbook for shared prosperityContribute to the playbookRSVP for the call
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Apr 18, 2025 • 17min

A call to action in response to US political risk

Host Brian Walsh takes up ImpactAlpha’s top stories with editor David Bank. Up this week: A call to action from impact investors in response to the growing political risk in the US market. Plus, how the idea of employee ownership is bringing lawmakers together across the aisle (7:55). And the strategies and structures LPs are using to get their money back in a volatile market environment (11:55).Story links:“In a polarized US Capitol, employee ownership brings lawmakers together,” by Roodgally SenatusRestive LPs look to secondaries and other creative exits to recoup their capital,” by Amy Cortese
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Apr 11, 2025 • 20min

A tarrifying week for investors + what's next for global AID

Host Brian Walsh takes up ImpactAlpha’s top stories with editor David Bank, live-ish from the Re:Construction road show. Up this week: How impact investors are reacting to a tariffying week for Wall Street and global trade. What comes next for foreign aid in the wake of the Trump administration’s dismantling of USAID (7:10). And, why it’s critical to continue assembling a playbook for shared prosperity (12:15). Relevant links:“Rebuilding global aid was the (mostly) talk of the town at Skoll World Forum,” by Caroline BressanCould trade chaos cut emissions and make impact investments the safer bet?” by Amy Cortese and David Bank“People, purpose and perseverance: Assembling the playbook for shared prosperity,” by David BankSubmit your plays for shared prosperity.
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Apr 4, 2025 • 18min

Insurance incentives for wildfire prevention + smarter subsidies for agribusiness

Host Brian Walsh takes up ImpactAlpha’s top stories with editor Jessica Pothering. Up this week: Climate insurance in California that incentivizes landowners to reduce wildfire risks. Plus, making subsidies smarter by targeting the operating needs of agriculture businesses and the funds that support them.Chapters(00:00) Innovative Climate Insurance Pilot in California(08:17) Concessional Capital and Africa's FarmersStory links:“Innovative climate insurance in California gives landowners incentives to reduce wildfire risks,” by Jessica Pothering“Making subsidies smarter by targeting Africa’s farmers and the funds that support them,” by Jessica PotheringEvent RSVPs:Boston: Saturday, April 12 - ⁠Boston International Film Festival⁠North Carolina: Friday, April 4 - ⁠Building models for shared prosperity⁠, UNC Chapel HillWashington, DC: April 8 - ⁠Purple Party⁠,
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Mar 28, 2025 • 20min

Proxy battles for universal owners & new models for employee ownership

Host Brian Walsh takes up ImpactAlpha’s top stories with editor David Bank. Up this week: With proxy season here, how shareholders can apply a system stewardship model for the companies they own; why strategies to share the wealth via employee ownership are attracting popular support, and a look at our spring “Re:construction” tour, which offers a playbook for shared prosperity.Chapters(00:00) Proxy season insights(06:00) Employee ownership models(11:50) Re:construction and shared prosperityEvent RSVPs:North Carolina: Friday, April 4 - Building models for shared prosperity, UNC Chapel HillWashington, DC: April 8 - Purple Party, Boston: Saturday, April 12 - Boston International Film FestivalStory links:“Shareholders can fight back with system stewardship,” by The Shareholder Commons’ Frederick AlexanderOwnership Call: impactalpha.com/calls and Youtube“A playbook of what and who is working to build prosperity for all,” and “‘Special Purpose Credit Programs’ face the axe,” by David Bank
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Mar 21, 2025 • 19min

Bipartisan support for CDFIs under Trump, and Canada's first Employee Ownership Trusts

🎧 This Week in Impact. Host Brian Walsh takes up ImpactAlpha’s top stories with editor David Bank. Up this week: Why Trump's order to cut a Main Street lending program led to a rare GOP rebuke. How Canadian employee ownership trusts offer a path to shared prosperity along with protecting national sovereignty (06:17). And finally, as private equity fundraising becomes more competitive, how GPs can differentiate on impact (12:53).RSVP for the call:⁠https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3AUkUaVZTyivXhXx0oVsrw⁠Story links:“⁠⁠Threat to CDFI Fund gives community lenders a chance to flex bipartisan support⁠⁠,” by David Bank and Amy Cortese“⁠In Canada, employee ownership trusts offer a path to shared prosperity and national sovereignty⁠,” by Roodgally Senatus.“⁠Differentiating on impact, tapping retail investors: Charting the changing private equity landscape⁠” by Amy Cortese
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Mar 13, 2025 • 19min

A new era for climate leadership (in Canada, at least)

Host Brian Walsh takes up ImpactAlpha’s top stories with editor David Bank. Up this week: The significance of noted green banker Mark Carney’s new role as Canadian Prime Minister; what’s at stake as US climate policy heads to the courts (06:41); and, why one impact fund manager says low-income customers are more profitable – and has the data to prove it (12:25).Story links:"⁠Canada puts a green banker in charge of its response to Trump⁠,” by Amy Cortese and David Bank.“⁠EPA raises the stakes in battle over $20 billion in green bank grants⁠,” by Amy Cortese and Isaac Silk.“⁠Climate United carries legal banner in battle for the green bank⁠,” by David Bank and Amy Cortese."⁠Elevar Equity says low-income customers are more profitable – and has the data to prove it⁠," by Shefali Anand.

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