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When current events feel overwhelming, one way to put it all into perspective is to look for the people driving positive change. Beyond the big headlines, there are personal stories of hope everywhere: humanitarian workers helping in disasters, small business owners giving back to their communities, activists fighting for progress, and investors funding sustainable ventures — to name a few.
This month, we feature one of those under-the-radar changemakers — one of the earliest female pioneers in tech — and we end with a spotlight on a few girls shaping our future. They each remind us of what’s possible with a fearless attitude and a commitment to creating a better world.
And in between, we have more positive developments in the world of impact investing and entrepreneurship. Enjoy!
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Celebrating One of Tech’s Early Pioneers
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When Dame Stephanie Shirley arrived in England in 1939, no one knew what her future might hold. At age five, she was part of the Kindertransport program that saved nearly 10,000 Jewish children from the Nazis. But from an early age, Shirley had a clear ambition, as quoted in Be Fearless: “To make my life one that was worth saving.”
She pursued her passion for mathematics and started her career at London’s Post Office Research Station, where she built computers and wrote code.
In 1959, Shirley started her own software company, Freelance Programmers. She mainly employed women, many of whom had left the workforce when they got married or had children. The company was radical for its time, letting employees work part-time and from home. To help build her business, Shirley sometimes adopted the name Steve to counter the sexism she encountered in the male-dominated field.
With initial financing of £6 (roughly $220 today), she grew her company into a powerhouse, selling it for around £150 million in 1993. Because Shirley had restructured her company to share ownership with employees, it was estimated that 70 eventually became millionaires.
After retiring from the tech world, Shirley went on to become a philanthropist, donating nearly £70 Million to help those with autism and support IT projects. She passed away last month at the age of 91, but her legacy will live on.
As the BBC reported, “she had a strong moral compass and believed in using her wealth for good. And she never stopped standing up to sexism.” |
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| Signs of Momentum for Nature-based Investing |
Natural capital is increasingly recognized as essential infrastructure, according to the World Economic Forum, but more capital is needed to protect it. The UN Environment Programme estimates that annual investment in nature-based solutions needs to triple to $542 billion by 2030, illustrating the scope of the challenge — and opportunity.
Many financial firms are stepping up to explore solutions. Impact Investor recently reported on a partnership to unlock private capital for businesses focused on sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, and ecosystem restoration. Meanwhile, Triodos Investment Management sees opportunity in the bond market, and Sorenson Impact Institute is advancing research to help expand the market for nature-based solutions. We’ll be watching this space as it evolves.
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New Impact Investor Ranking
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| Curious which firms are raising the most capital to invest in impact? New Private Markets ranked the largest managers of impact capital across multiple asset classes, including private debt, infrastructure, private equity, and real estate. Check out the list to see which firms are pursuing measurable social or environmental impact alongside financial returns. |
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Sparking a New Movement for Financial Empowerment
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| Star power and cultural flair met entrepreneurial energy and business acumen in Atlanta at the recent Invest Fest. The three-day festival featured a Shark Tank-style pitch competition and vendor marketplace, as well as celebrity speakers like Magic Johnson, Issa Rae, and Jack Dorsey. By fusing pop culture and business, Invest Fest’s organizers aim to “democratize” access to business and financial literacy. |
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| Expanding Access to Business Ownership |
| Buying an existing business can offer a quick path to entrepreneurship, but the enterprise-through-acquisition (ETA) model hasn’t always been accessible to everyone. Innovators are striving to change that by providing support for underrepresented founders to acquire businesses — ideally mission-driven ones. A new report reimagines traditional ETAs through a social lens, laying out a blueprint for a new model that would expand access for a wider range of entrepreneurs. |
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