Impact Investing – Hype or Substance? Global Roundtable Recap
Impact investing – hype or substance? This question has become a defining theme in modern capital allocation. Venturewave Capital’s first global roundtable brought together leaders in finance, government, journalism, and philanthropy to explore the future of ESG and impact investing.
The virtual discussion featured Anne Finucane (Vice‑Chair, Bank of America), Gillian Tett (Editor‑at‑Large, Financial Times), Edge (U2 & MIT Environmental Solutions), and Enda Kenny (former Taoiseach of Ireland). The session was moderated by Kieran McLoughlin, Managing Partner at Venturewave.
Is Impact Investing Hype or Substance?
From the outset, the panel addressed whether real results—or just optics—drive the explosion of ESG activity. The verdict was clear: impact investing is no longer fringe or idealistic. It is practical, measurable, and increasingly demanded by institutional capital, employees, and customers.
- Anne Finucane: “Impact is not concessionary — it’s competitive.”
- Edge: “We’ve reached the end of the age of exploitation in capitalism.”
- Gillian Tett: “Impact investing is risk management, not charity.”
- Enda Kenny: “Ireland should be a leader in stakeholder capitalism aligned with the SDGs.”
Key Quotes on Impact Investing
“Capitalism is not immoral, it’s amoral. It needs guidance. Impact investing is that compass.”
— Bono (via Edge)
“Impact investing is Adam Smith for slow learners.” — Gillian Tett, Financial Times
Market Growth & ESG Momentum
More than $38 trillion in global assets under management are now ESG‑aligned, and over $200 billion has flowed into dedicated impact funds in the past two years. Investors are no longer asking if impact matters — they’re asking how to measure it. Gillian Tett emphasised that ESG is becoming central to corporate strategy: “It’s about relevance, resilience, and risk.”
Ireland as a Hub for Impact Investing
Enda Kenny and Taoiseach Micheál Martin both stressed that Ireland is uniquely positioned to lead. With global connectivity, a young innovation economy, and a reputation for social conscience, Ireland can be a capital of ethical finance.
Technology as an Impact Catalyst
Edge argued that technology is what allows impact investing to scale: “Tech is what lets us solve real‑world problems at speed.” From green energy to tele‑health, the integration of innovation and ethics is driving new opportunities. He added that we need new narratives: “We must move from blame to solutions.”
Metrics Matter: From Hype to Accountability
Anne Finucane highlighted the importance of frameworks such as TCFD, ISSB, and the EU Taxonomy: “Transparency enables trust. You can’t improve what you can’t measure.” Gillian Tett described greenwashing as a growing pain: “We’re demanding proof, not promises.”
What the Future Holds
Looking to 2030 and beyond, the panel agreed: the question isn’t whether impact investing is hype or substance, but how fast we can scale it. Success now depends on infrastructure, regulation, and consensus. Julie Sinnamon (Enterprise Ireland) and Martin Shanahan (IDA Ireland) reaffirmed Ireland’s positioning through state support, sector alignment, and values‑led leadership.
Resources & Further Reading Links
