Research Newsletter: Spring 2023

Dear colleagues,

Spring is in full bloom and things at CSP are blossoming! The team continues to grow with Ann Tan, Head of Institutional Trainings and Deborah Simon, Operations Manager, already making big waves in Singapore.

We recently wrapped up the 8th edition of our Impact Investing for the Next Generation program in Boston and welcomed 24 new graduates into our Next Gen alumni community at the annual Alumni Weekend. As always, it was so great to reconnect in person, particularly for members of “Covid Cohort” who were meeting in real life for the first time! This year’s program also coincided with MIT’s Sustainability Summit which offered deep insights into carbon markets–what’s working and what could work better in the future–and helped set the scene for a week of impact and connection.

On the topic of really “financing sustainability” instead of just making finance more sustainable, the first episode of the new podcast series ‘Innovations in Sustainable Finance’ features a chat between CSP Collaborators Julian Kölbel and Harald Walkate on the ins and outs of blended finance and why it’s often overlooked in spite of its potential.

Towards Impact,

Contact Falko
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9th cohort of the Impact Investing for the Next Generation training starts in Boston in October

The program is designed to help next-gen family members understand impact investing, meet peers from around the world, and start to develop an investment and engagement strategy. Want to get involved or invite members of your networks to participate? Read more here or reach out to Marietta to find out more and apply!

Blending Impact and Finance with Catalytic Capital: What’s in it for the entrepreneur?

Have a look at the latest report from CSP and its partners which looks at blended finance deals from the side of the entrepreneur, going deep into the investee experience to better understand what can make these collaborations effective. Read the full report here.

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Equipping industry leaders: CSP’s trainings for financial institutions

Our tailored programs empower forward thinking institutions to enable clients express their values and generate impact on topics they truly care about. Find out more.

CSP having impact: Out & About

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Falko featured in the UZH Magazine

How can investors really contribute to sustainable development? With the spotlight on sustainable finance growing ever wider, the University of Zurich Magazine reached out to Falko to ask exactly that. The resulting article offers a solid introduction to research on investor impact by the CSP at the University of Zurich with concrete examples of investments that create change that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.

CSP North America hosts ‘Optimizing for Impact’

In April, while on the West Coast, CSP Collaborator Taeun Kwon joined CSP North America for a special event on Optimizing for Impact. Drawing on on research done directly with social entrepreneurs, the event focused on practical strategies for fostering communication and effective collaboration between entrepreneurs and impact investors, philanthropists, and nonprofits.

CSP at Greenbuzz Zurich

Also in April, our Institutional Programs Manager, Andrew Douglas, shared his thoughts on “Navigating ESG Scoring” at a sold-out Greenbuzz Zurich event focused on the topic. This latest edition in the sustainability-oriented networking series also featured Cornis Van Der Lugt, Senior Manager of ESG Research at S&P Global, and was hosted by the Swiss Innovation Agency, Innosuisse.

CSP North America at the Total Impact Summit

In May, the Total Impact Summit took place in Philadelphia, USA, hosted by impact economy accelerator ImpactPHL in collaboration with SOCAP. While there, CSP North America Managing Director Erin Duddy moderated a panel with CSP alums Naiana Miranda, Kevin Webb and Raffi Mardirosian on the next generation of impact investors, with insights from both Next Gen and self-made wealth holders and inspiring journeys into impact.

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Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth

CSP is a research center at UZH. We conduct research and train wealth owners & investment professionals in order to move capital towards sustainable growth.