Impact Investing: Woke or Winning? | IMPACT Ireland 2024
The panel at IMPACT Ireland 2024 explored a critical question in today’s capital markets: Is impact investing woke or winning? Venturewave brought together leaders in ESG, private equity, and governance to unpack this timely debate.
Moderated by Panos Seretis, the discussion featured Rosaleen Blair and Anne Heraty, two pioneers in workforce innovation, sustainable capital, and institutional strategy. Together, they examined the evolving landscape of impact investing and its growing importance in modern finance.
Impact Investing: Balancing Return on Investment and Societal Impact
Panellists challenged the idea that financial performance and social impact must compete with each other. Heraty referenced a modular housing project that not only delivered a return on investment (ROI) but also addressed housing shortages, demonstrating the double-bottom-line approach.
Debunking the “Woke Capital” Narrative
The panel addressed political critiques of ESG. “There’s nothing ‘soft’ about anticipating non-financial risks,” Seretis remarked. This discussion reframed impact investing—woke or winning—as a disciplined and risk-aware approach to sustainable value creation.
Impact Investing, Clean Tech, and the Future of Capital
Topics included carbon pricing, clean tech adoption, and robust governance frameworks. Panellists emphasised that sustainable investments must be measured with integrity and executed with focus. Tools like Venturebeam and the Venture Impact Score are helping standardise and scale these strategies.
Is Impact Investing Woke or Winning?
As Heraty concluded, “If investing in the future is ‘woke,’ then it’s also winning.” The panel made clear that impact investing—woke or winning—is now a mainstream financial strategy, not a fringe ideology.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Impact investing is not philanthropy—it’s outcome-driven capital allocation.
- Governance, climate risk, and equity are material, not optional.
- Successful examples exist across housing, clean energy, and digital access.
- Impact investing, woke or winning, reflects a disciplined response to modern risks.
Learn more about how Venturewave Capital supports mission-aligned investment at our Impact page.
As Ireland continues to lead in ethical and entrepreneurial innovation, Venturewave Capital remains committed to advancing sustainable investments that deliver both financial returns and global impact.
