We are very happy to invite you to join our third Impact for Breakfast in an open conversation with Taeun Kwon, research lead on the topic of blended finance and catalytic capital at University of Zurich.

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Oftentimes in impact investing, the question is: ‘How can we bring impact to finance?’. Investors try to have impact through their investment activities, in order to achieve the SDGs. However, a more innovative approach turns the issue upside down: ‘How can we bring finance to impact?’ With her research work, Taeun Kwon questions the established approach and focuses on new ways to finance impactful projects such as blended finance using catalytic capital.

Join us for this interesting conversation with Taeun, who will provide interesting findings of her current research on financing social entrepreneurs.

We look forward to a challenging discussion and will touch on questions such as: 

. What is blended finance and how is it relevant for the impact sector?
. What are some innovative ways of financing social enterprises?
. What do social entrepreneurs need from their investors?
. What is the role of an impact investor and how can investment be catalytic?

Date & Schedule: Friday, June 17th

8:30 - 8:45: Participants arrive
8:45 - 9:15: Coffè and breakfast by Pane Lento
9:15 - 9:20:  Welcome and introduction by Carlotta Zarattini, manager of IFB Lugano chapter and co-founder of Impact Hub Ticino
9:20 - 10:40: Open conversation with Taeun Kwon
10:40 - 11:00: Closing and coffè

Who should join: Anybody curious about the topic and interested in an open discussion, in particular also social entrepreneurs, investors, representatives of family offices/trusts, fund managers, foundations, service providers.

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Taeun Kwon is the Research Lead on blended finance at the Center for Sustainable Finance and Private Wealth (CSP) at University of Zurich. Her research focuses on blended finance and catalytic capital, which refers to patient and concessional capital that aims to have outsized impact. Taeun was also responsible for the Sustainable Investing Capabilities of Private Banks project as the Head of Wealth Manager Programs. She also developed and led executive education programs and workshops for practitioners.

Prior to CSP, Taeun had launched her own ethical fashion brand, worked at Boston Consulting Group, TBWA\ and Impact Square.
 

Note: The event is limited to 23 people and will be held in English.

Parking available at
Autosilo Balestra
or Autosilo san Giuseppe