News

 BETTER FINANCE NEWS AND MEDIA UPDATES

 October 2022: Groundbreaking research on Debt-for-Nature

September 2021: Teaching at The Graduate Institute

 

October 2022: Groundbreaking research on Debt-for-Nature

Are debt swaps the right way to address funding gaps for developing countries? When and how is debt-for-nature the right solution? How material is nature to debt sustainability? Better Finance recently contributed to this landmark study by Lazard. The report can be accessed through this link: https://europa.eu/capacity4dev/macro-eco_pub-fin/discussions/debt-sdgs-swaps-indebted-countries-right-instrument-meet-funding-gap

September 2021: Teaching at The Graduate Institute

It was a pleasure to teach as part of the Certificate of Advanced Studies in SDG Investing at Geneva’s Graduate Institute and we look forward to engaging with students again in 2022.

June 2021: Advising Zoscales Partners on investing with impact in East Africa.

In this short video, Managing Partner Jacop Rentschler, Sr. ESG & Impact Advisor Tenke Zoltani and CEO of Africa Jobs Network Yusuf Reja explain what that means for Zoscales Partners. See the post here

#InvestWhereItMatters #ImpactInvesting #PrivateEquity

Groundbreaking Rhino Impact Investment advised by Tenke Zoltani, Better Finance, issued as World’s First Wildlife Bond

After more than three years of work, from creating the theory of change to securing advisors, to structuring, identifying KPIs and finally bringing partners like Credit Suisse on board, the work of Tenke Zoltani and Better Finance under the leadership of Oliver Withers and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has come to fruition with the issuance of the so-called ‘rhino bond.’ The World Bank was hired to issue the bond, a landmark instrument for species conservation, natural capital, conservation and impact investing. Read the article on Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-24/world-s-first-wildlife-bond-to-track-rhino-populations-in-africa

April 2021: Family Office Investment Forum and ESG Integration across Asset Classes

Better Finance is featured at this spring’s OPAL ESG and Impact Investment Conference on the panel “Creating an Impact & ESG Investing Portfolio: How Your Values Can Create an Impact” see the full programme here: https://opalgroup.net/conference/impact-investing-forum-2021/

Themes of defining impact investing, portfolio construction, asset class opportunities, comparing ESG vs Impact trends and the role of the investor are just a few of the stimulating topics covered at this event.

March 2021: Investing in Natural Capital

Geneva MacroLabs hosted Tenke Zoltani for a webinar on investing in natural capital and related impact investing themes. Why invest in #naturalcapital? As Tenke A. Zoltani, CAIA (Better Finance), explains, this asset class offers competitive economic and financial returns relative to traditional investment. It provides a universe of monetizable options, while generating comparable economic returns. Find the video here: https://lnkd.in/dbmsQPk

Autumn 2020: Responsible Investing through Fixed Income

Tenke is speaking at the Opal Group Impact Investing event on Responsible Investing through Fixed Income, covering topics of green bonds, blue bonds, SDG bonds. Opal Group is happy to announce its 5th annual Impact Investing Forum. Over the next four decades, it is estimated that over $41+ trillion will transfer from baby boomers to Millennials. As we move to the next generation of investors, we are going to find companies aligning their beliefs, operation, and communication strategies with that of the Millennials. The Impact Investing Forum will look at many of the asset classes that encompass this space. Themes of defining impact investing, portfolio construction, asset class opportunities, and the role of the investor are just a few of the stimulating topics to be covered at this event. https://opalgroup.net/conference/impact-investing-forum-2020/

Autumn 2020: Coverage in Responsible Investor for work on Blue Bonds and Ocean Investments and Global Fund for Coral Reefs

“Another fund looking to make an impact on SDG14 is the Global Fund for Coral Reefs…Tenke Zoltani, founder of BetterFinance and advisor to the fund, says the blended finance structure “is really in vogue”, because it allows the public sector to leverage private finance for crucial new investment areas like oceans, as well as offering responsible investors a chance to explore new themes in less risky ways than might otherwise be available. One of the biggest success stories in ocean investing so far has been a $21.6m sovereign debt restructuring deal in the Seychelles…A subcategory of green bonds, transactions require the issuer to spend proceeds on projects or business activities that support the blue economy, and report on spending and impact. A report from think-tank Planet Tracker this summer claimed that such instruments could finance a recovery in the ocean’s fish stocks by 2040, saying the asset class could be bolstered by regulatory moves such as a recent decision from the European Commission to implement a management plan for fish stocks in the Western Mediterranean. “The interest in blue bonds has really accelerated,” says Zoltani. Like green bonds or SDGlinked bonds, “they provide a pretty flexible structure with a really wide application that the capital markets understand. They’re good for private and institutional investors, and they suit pension funds.” The nature of investing in the blue economy means that most of the blue bonds currently under discussion are sovereign issuances. “Governments are trying to get their head around how they can issue these and they're turning to the UN for help because they're not really comfortable yet in putting together such a structure on their own,” observes Zoltani. https://www.responsible-investor.com/articles/a-deep-dive-into-investing-in-the-blue-economy

Summer 2020: Emerging market debt crisis: biodiversity as a lever for building back better

Very proud to be working with the MAVA Foundation and Finance for Biodiversity to move the needle on sovereign debt restructuring that accounts for nature, conservation and biodiversity issues. The landmark paper published jointly with Oliver Withers is available here: https://a1be08a4-d8fb-4c22-9e4a-2b2f4cb7e41d.filesusr.com/ugd/643e85_8198fe32b44f410ea21e488cc5dfaa2d.pdf This technical paper is part of a series looking at climate change and biodiversity considerations in economic responses to COVID-19. Other notes look at bailout measures, a green stimulus index, and labour market reforms. This paper may be updated as circumstances develop. The paper has been authored by Tenke Zoltani, and Oliver Withers, on behalf of the Finance for Biodiversity Initiative and funded by the MAVA Foundation.

August 2020: Family Office Investment Symposium

Tenke Zoltani is speaking on Creating an Impact Portfolio: Total Portfolio Construction Strategies alongside several family offices at Opal’s Family Office Symposium . For details see: https://opalgroup.net/conference/family-office-investment-symposium-2020/ This event will address what has happened in the current financial investment marketplace since the outbreak of COVID-19 as it pertains to family offices and their investments. Discussions will cover a wide variety of investment topics including both traditional and alternative investment asset classes, as well as direct investing, impact investing, non-correlated assets, and many more.

July 2020: ESG Investment Forum

Tenke Zoltani is speaking on ESG Investment Strategies Across Asset Classes alongside Elysian Advisers, Align Impact at the Opal ESG Investment Forum (virtual) taking place on July 8, 2020.Through this virtual conference, speakers and attendees will explore the methods, processes and nuances of integrating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors when analyzing investment opportunities, with a focus on financial materiality. The conference will bring together companies and institutional investors who are actively involved in Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance as well as Sustainable, Responsible and Impact Investment.

April 2020: Listen to a Podcast and Video Interview on Better Finance’s Tenke Zoltani’s impact investing journey as part of the SeedStars Summit 2020

From a Hungarian refugee family who emigrated to the United States, Tenke Zoltani is running fast as part of the Hungarian national running team, half-marathon winner and entrepreneur. She has dedicated a big part of her life to sustainability and impact investment and is now advising large family offices on how to invest their money to receive above market rate financial and “impact” returns. Her integrity allows her to have the ears of the most wealthy families of the world and guide them to make positive change around the world. Listen or watch here: https://seedstarslife.com/summit/winning-marathons-and-advising-billionaire-impact-investors-tenke-zoltani/

March 2020: SDG Investing Course at the Graduate Institute

As part of the Master’s Programme in International Strategy and Leadership, Better Finance founder Tenke Zoltani will be teaching a module of the SDG Investing Course at the Graduate Institute in Geneva. For more information or to register see: https://graduateinstitute.ch/sdgi

WHO IS THIS PROGRAMME FOR? Professionals and leaders from all sectors and backgrounds who want to make a positive impact including: CFOs, investor relationship managers from the corporate sector; Managers/Principals from private or corporate foundations; Institutional and private investors; Asset managers, wealth managers, investment consultants and other financial professionals; Managers from development finance institutions, government bodies, international organisations; Development/Impact consultants; Philanthropists, social investors and social entrepreneurs.

November 2019: Special session at the Sustainable Ocean Summit on investing in the blue economy, with expertise from Better Finance

At the World Ocean Council (WOC) Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS) 2019 (20-22 November, Paris), the “Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles” workshop will explore actions for the finance sector to accelerate uptake of finance-related policies, practices, financial instruments, opportunities and initiatives to advance a Sustainable Blue Economy. Participants will gain insights into practical approaches to integrating ocean sustainability into market practice and emerging opportunities to scale up action. The workshop will set the stage for the next steps of the Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Initiative, to be hosted by UNEP FI. The event will focus on implementation of Principles 8, 9 and 10 of the Sustainable Blue Economy Finance Principles developed by the European Commission, WWF, European Investment Bank and Prince of Wales’s International Sustainability Unit.

Speakers confirmed for the workshop include:
• Bernhard Friess, Director Maritime Policy and the Blue Economy, European Commission
• Louise Heaps, Chief Adviser for Marine, WWF
• Chip Cunliffe, Director, Sustainable Development, AXA XL
• Tenke Zoltani, Founder, Better Finance and Development Finance Advisor, UNDP
• Dennis Fritsch, PhD, Researcher, Responsible Investor
• Liesel van Ast, Acting Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Blue Economy Lead, UNEP Finance Initiative

With the theme of “Investing in Ocean Futures: Finance and Innovation for the Blue Economy”, the SOS 2019 will be the foremost international business conference dedicated to investment and innovation for ocean sustainable development.

November 2019: Panel spotlight on Women’s Leaders in the Blue Economy

Tenke Zoltani will be speaking at the World Ocean Council’s ‘Sustainable Ocean Summit’ in the women’s leadership plenary, highlighting impact investing and innovative finance for the blue economy.

The Sustainable Ocean Summit (SOS) 2019 (Paris, 20-22 November) session on “Women in Ocean Industries: Leadership, Sustainable Development and Maritime Security” will be reconvening women leaders from across the maritime business sectors in a plenary discussion on 21 November to consider the opportunities for better advancing leadership by women in the Ocean Business Community.

Special Speaker Brune Poirson, Minister of State attached to the Minister for the Ecological and Inclusive Transition of France, will set the stage for this high-level session to address how well is women’s leadership in the Ocean Business Community advancing, and how does this relate specifically to ocean sustainable development and the Blue Economy? What are the challenges and opportunities for better advancing leadership by women in the Ocean Business Community, especially regarding sustainable development and maritime security? What synergies can be developed to improve the opportunities for investment in the Blue Economy?

Chaired by Norton Rose Fulbright partner Christine Ezcutari, distinguished speakers from the panel include:
• Manoelle Lepoutre, Senior Vice President, Total
• Christine Valentin, Alumna, Daniel K Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS)
• Tenke Zoltani, Founder, Better Finance
• Florence Wagner, Director of Coast Guard Function, Operational Center, General Secretariat for the Sea
• Donna Lanzetta, CEO, Manna Fish Farms
• Sofia Fürstenberg Stott, Innovation and Sustainability Advisor, Fürstenberg Maritime Advisory

October 2019: Announcing a new leadership role with RiverRock European Capital Partners

Very pleased to announce an appointment as Senior Impact and ESG Advisor to RiverRock European Capital Partners. Strategies supported will include infrastructure and trade finance. Read a short interview here: https://riverrock.eu/news/riverrock-announces-appointment-of-senior-impact-and-esg-advisor/

“A lack of supply chain finance is a bottleneck which hampers exports from emerging markets, but also a limiting factor to growth for SMEs in Europe. The impact of addressing this can be significant: supply chain financing enables economic growth and development, supporting enterprises which produce and import/export essential goods and those in related services. It also helps companies to broaden their international client base and to increase flows of foreign currency and investment in markets where it is most needed.

SMEs, who are key drivers of local economic growth and employment, are disproportionately affected by the funding gap which has resulted from bank retrenchment in Supply Chain Finance. Supporting these companies is vital to maintaining and improving employment levels both in Europe and in emerging markets. Crucially, we can also help SMEs align to international standards and build robust business practices.”

Autumn 2019: Tenke Zoltani chosen as a Swiss Sustainable Finance Market Influencer

Thrilled to be chosen as a sustainable finance influencer of Swtizerland! Thank you Market Magazine for the coverage, it is an honor to be selected (and be in the company of Bertrand Piccard!)

“We need several trillions in impact investing throughout the next decades to effectively address global social and environmental issues” from the “Les Nouveaux Acteurs De L’Economie Durable” special.

Read more about Market here: https://www.market.ch/fr/accueil/#96edbdccaabfe466-freemosaic

September 2019: Launching the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance in New York at the UN Climate Summit

As part of the UN Secretary General’s Climate Summit, a collaborative initiative between the insurance and finance sectors, governments and environmental civil society organisations is being launched to build resilience to ocean risk in the communities and regions most affected by the changes to the ocean. Better Finance’s Tenke Zoltani, development finance advisor to UNDP, is please to be a part of the launch and an early contributor to ORRAA. The Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance, or ORRAA, will pioneer ground-breaking finance and insurance products that unlock investment in coastal resilience; accelerate research to better understand and manage ocean risk; and inform policy, governance and public understanding. The Alliance is an outcome of the first held in May 2018 in Bermuda, and was an initiative presented at the 2019 G7 Environment Ministerial in Metz, France. It was the only initiative presented there that was supported by all G7 members as well as Fiji, India, Mexico and Norway.

September 2019: UN General Assembly and Climate Week: showcasing conservation finance solutions and investing in nature, the blue economy

As part of UNGA and the Climate Summit, Better Finance is presenting on blue economy solutions alongside global leaders in impact investing and sustainable finance. The world’s first coral reef insurance is currently being implemented. For coastal communities, natural systems like coral reefs provide the first line of defence against storms- a healthy coral reef can reduce up to 97 percent of a wave’s energy before it hits the shore. With billions of dollars’ worth of built capital and millions of livelihoods protected from storm impact by coral reefs around the world, this is a market ripe for expansion. Zoltani will lead this conversation among key stakeholders involved in the scaling of the reef insurance: how reef insurance works, what are plans to scale, and what financing mechanisms will enable this expansion. Reef insurance event details here.

September 2019: Presenting at Opal Group’s Impact Investing Forum North

Join Better Finance in New York as Tenke Zoltani presents on impact investing and real assets, integrating ESG into strategies and moving to impact generation in areas like housing, nature, and infrastructure. See details here.

Over the next four decades, it is estimated that over $41+ trillion will transfer from baby boomers to Millennials and Generation Z. As we move to the next generation of investors, we are going to find companies aligning their beliefs, operation, and communication strategies with that of the Millennials. The Impact Investing Forum will look at many of the asset classes that encompass this space.

August 2019: Financial News on conservation investment, highlights Zoltani’s role on the rhino bond

FN takes a detailed look at how the Rhino Impact Bond, the first financial instrument linked to the conservation of rhinos, works. “The ambition is to make this [bond] self-financing, so we don’t need to use philanthropist funding or grant funding,” said Zoltani. Read the whole article here: https://www.fnlondon.com/articles/rhino-bonds-can-big-finance-really-save-big-beasts-20190809

July 2019: Interview with Zoltani on conservation finance and impact investing

Zoltani spoke to UNDP about her work on innovative finance, impact investing and designing financial instruments for conservation, from coral reefs to rhinoceros. “We should view conservation finance as a subset of impact investing,” says Zoltani. “It’s just one strategy within the broader impact investing world, which is intentionally investing into companies, projects or funds that are generating a return that has a social or environmental – not just financial – benefit.”

Read more here: https://www.sgsgeneva.org/page/1437113/conservation-finance

July 2019: Rhino Impact Investment and work of Tenke Zoltani featured in the Financial Times
Having worked for two years on the rhino impact investment, Better Finance and Tenke Zoltani are delighted to announce the launch of the roadshow to outcome payers and investors via the Financial Times.
”Conservationists have started marketing a five-year rhino bond, which bankers say will be the world’s first financial instrument dedicated to protecting a species. Investors in the $50m bond will be paid back their capital and a coupon if African black rhino populations in five sites across Kenya and South Africa increase over five years. The yield will vary depending on changes in the rhino population, which has fallen rapidly since the 1970s. The bond is likely to have different categories of investment, with some investors taking a “first loss” position. If rhino numbers drop, those investors will lose their money depending on the scale of the decline and the terms of their investment, while investors in other categories will be repaid…” Read the rest of the article here: https://www.ft.com/content/2f8bf9e6-a790-11e9-984c-fac8325aaa04

June 2019: Another successful Klosters Forum

The over-abundance of plastic in our ecosystem is an economic, environmental, human health and aesthetic catastrophe, posing a multi-dimensional challenge to humanity, often compared to climate change in terms of impact, breadth and complexity. A challenge of this magnitude requires cross sector collaborations, knowledge sharing and support. At The Klosters Forum, this is what is done. Better Finance participated in facilitating sessions, workshop leading, and contributing expertise to financing solutions to combat this outsized problem, among an incredible community of changemakers, activists, leaders and investors. Tenke Zoltani is very proud to be a part of this community. https://theklostersforum.com/plastic-pollution/

May 2019: ESAFON Impact Investing Conference Presentation

Building on her work on natural capital solutions and recent trip to Antarctica, Tenke Zoltani was invited to present on the Blue Economy Panel at ESAFON 2019, to talk to an audience of investors on the last frontiers of impact investing—coral reefs, the Antarctic, and finding innovative investable solutions that also support portfolio diversification. The aim of the conference was to discuss “Strategic & Practical Tools for Asset Owners, Family Offices & Institutional Investors.”

May 2019: Workshop on Marine Conservation Financial Solutions

Tenke Zoltani was invited to present in a workshop on “Building-Up a Swiss Ecosystem Around SDG 14 and the Blue Economy with both a Top-Down and a Bottom-Up Approach,” hosted as part of the ESAFON conference series. Alongside Swiss impact leaders, she discussed how to scale impact through innovative finance, through a talk titled “Coral Reefs and Innovative Finance Solutions for Species Conservation.” Much of this builds on her work as an Advisor to UNDP.

February 2019: Mission to Antarctica

The opportunity arose to spend two weeks with leading experts, conservationists, scientists and journalists on an expedition to Antarctica to learn and contribute to creating positive impacts for the region. Plenty of time amidst the ice and ocean was led to brainstorming investment ideas with Tenke Zoltani. What about creating 'health insurance' for the 5 major ocean currents that ultimately end up in the Antarctic, structured before the Antarctic Treaty ends in 2048, versus straightforward ecotourism options. Currently 40 tourist-carrying vessels are licensed to arrive in the Antarctic (not all landing) but this has already grown exponentially, and China is commissioning new ships to take their passengers--so how do we mitigate the potential negative effects on the environment in a financially sustainable way? Working on issues of conservation and pollutants, the members of the voyage ideating on how impact investing could offer opportunities in the future in keeping the continent wild, beautiful and healthy. 

November 2018: Leading circular economy discussion at the Impact Virtual Summit

Join us to learn about investing in the circular economy alongside leaders in the space Procter & Gamble, Circulate Capital, The Klosters Forum and Quadia. Better Finance’s Tenke Zoltani is excited to lead the session. https://www.impactvirtualsummit.com/

November 2018: LP Panel at the Impact Capital Summit at Partners Group

Among family offices, investment institutions and foundations, Better Finance participated in the Impact Capital Summit. The Summit explored the progress of leading impact investment portfolios, discovered the latest innovations across sectors, themes and asset classes, and identified the steps needed to harness the power of capital markets to build a sustainable, fair, and just economic future where opportunity and prosperity are shared across borders. Tenke Zoltani organised a panel of inspiring LPs to discuss the challenges faced in impact investing. https://impactcapitalsummiteurope.com/

October 2018: Blended Finance at the World Investment Forum

The UNCTAD World Investment Forum is the pre-eminent global platform for investment and development. The Forum devises strategies and solutions for global investment and development challenges. It facilitates multi-stakeholder collective action to stimulate investment in development. The Forum offers a unique opportunity to influence investment-related policymaking, shape the global investment environment, and to network with global leaders in business and politics, it biennually gathers more than 4,000 investment stakeholders from 160 countries.  Better Finance will be represented in the Blended Finance panel, highlighting the investment work with institutions on innovative structures to achieve impact and financial outperformance, alongside panelists from GIIN, UBS, Symbiotics, Blue Orchard, EIB, and UNCDF.

Issues for the debate:

  • How can blended finance help to mobilize and scale up private and commercial resources for sustainable development and climate action in developing countries?

  • Which types of blended finance instruments are currently in use?

  • What are lessons learned from different approaches to blending, monitoring and evaluation?

Read more at http://worldinvestmentforum.unctad.org/session/using-blended-capital-to-finance-the-sdgs/

September 2018: Keynote at the Swiss Impact Investment Association Summit to open the Female Founder’s Forum

SIIA is a non-profit organisation in Zug, Switzerland, that promotes investments for a better world, aiming to bridge impact with finance, through conferences and networking events. SIIA envisions a future where investors select investments not only on the basis of return and risk but also by their impact on societies. The event brings together leading investors to discuss in 2018 the theme of ‘Earth and Finance,’ with a keynote given on integrating gender lens investing into environment and sustainability by Tenke Zoltani. See more at https://siia.ch/zug-impact-summit-2018

August 2018: Read our piece featured this month in Impakter: INVESTMENT IN CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE: WHY DO IT NOW

Investment in climate-smart agriculture offers, at this point in time, unique opportunities across the value chain to address the SDGs. This article explores the promise of impact-investing in agrifood, a crucial sector for sustainable development. Read it here, authored with Climate KIC Head of Climate Smart Agriculture, Pan Pan. 

July 2018 in Klosters: The Klosters Forum is a new platform in the Swiss alps focusing on finding solutions and creating collaborations to tackle current environmental challenges. This year we are delighted to be invited to attend, facilitate, and contribute to positive change in reducing ocean plastic. https://www.theklostersforum.com/

May 2018 in Copenhagen: Better Finance is advising on promising opportunities in sustainable fashion and ethical luxury. The €1.5 trillion fashion industry is one of the most resource and labour-intensive industries in the world, leaving an extensive (and growing) environmental and social footprint across the globe. This emphasises the need for a unified effort to increase the sustainability of our industry across categories, borders and size of business alike. However, the fashion industry currently lacks the knowledge and transparency on what sustainable solutions exist, along with the capabilities to evaluate which to invest in. Find us at the Copenhagen Fashion Summit where we have been invited as a sector expert to join and judge the Innovation Forum. More info at https://copenhagenfashionsummit.com/

May 2018 in Frankfurt: As part of Founder Tenke Zoltani's work with UNDP, she presented in several fora during Innovate 4 Climate on innovative finance for development outcomes. Held in Frankfurt from 22-24 May 2018, the second edition of I4C saw finance, business, technology and policy leaders meet to drive climate investment. Climate action at unprecedented speed and scale is essential for making the investments required to avoid the effects of a 2 degree warmer world and meet the Paris climate commitments. In a world of constrained public resources, traditional forms of concessional finance will not be sufficient to fund the investment required for a transition to a low-carbon future. Scaling up and accelerating access to finance – from multiple sources, as efficiently and effectively as possible - to redirect the trillions of dollars sitting in unproductive, low yielding as well as unsustainable investments towards longer-term, climate-smart investments will be key.

May 2018 in Paris: The Food Nexus Visioning Summit: The food industry is facing huge challenges to feed billions of people while, climate change and land erosion are already making it more difficult to produce food. Also, where wide scale hunger affecting ca 800 million people prevents economic development, health related problems due to imbalanced diets (overeating, lack of micronutrients) lead to staggering health care costs. Meeting such challenges efficiently requires us to develop a clear vision – and make sure we as decision makers act upon it together. This is why Tenke Zoltani is attending the first FoodNexus Visioning Summit to provide clear recommendations on how to act, departing from the question: “What are the most urgent problems facing the food industry in the next 10 years, and how can we best meet these challenges?”

April 2018 in Geneva: Better Finance featured at ESAFON Family Office Conference in Geneva. ESAFON objectives are to promote the cooperation between Switzerland and Europe and to facilitate the exchanges between professionals in the area of Asset Management & Family Wealth Management, to allow its members to discuss together and to implement the new regulations and the best management practices, with an objective geared towards harmonisation and transparency, in a long term perspective. The ESAFON objectives are also to increase the scale and effectiveness of impact investing.

January 2018 in New York: Private event conservation finance hosted by Credit Suisse in New York. This private forum brought together the most significant investors and advisors in the conservation finance space, including Better Finance, who has a long track record of advising on conservation impact. The objective of the convening was to look at progress in scaling up conservation investments including some global innovations. Topics that were discussed included corporate approaches to conservation investing, a new partnership to create a pipeline of investable deals, conservation fintech solutions, innovative financing approaches to improve life on land and climate-smart coastal resiliency investing.

November 2017: Better Finance Interview for Swiss TV on Sustainable Finance

See the replay here: Leman Bleu Sustainable Finance segment (in French). For more information see: https://events.bizzabo.com/204716

October 2017: Find us at the Social Good Summit in Geneva

Better Finance is thrilled to be part of the Social Good Summit in Geneva this year as convener and participant--working with the entrepreneurs who will be pitching as well as facilitating investor discussions. 

25 Sept: Launch of "Le Monde Change, La Finance Innove" or "The world changes, finance innovates" 

Better Finance's contribution to this new book published by Sustainable Finance Geneva celebrates the leading financial innovations for sustainability stemming from Switzerland. Better Finance's Tenke Zoltani is featured. See details here (in French): https://www.investir.ch/2017/09/monde-change-finance-innove/ Receive a copy of the book by contacting Sustainable Finance Geneva www.sfgeneva.org/ "SFG, 25 partenaires, 40 experts, 10 changements globaux, 60 innovations financières, rassemblés dans un livre pour promouvoir la finance durable. Convaincu que la finance de demain se prépare aujourd’hui, Sustainable Finance Geneva (SFG) a réuni 25 partenaires et 40 experts autour d’un projet commun: promouvoir la finance durable à travers un livre présentant 60 innovations financières face à 10 changements globaux. Aujourd’hui justement, l’ensemble du secteur financier est en mutation. La société fait face à de grands changements globaux qui la transforment, souvent de manière disruptive, avec des conséquences planétaires. Parallèlement, le profil des investisseurs évolue avec l’arrivée des «millennials». D’un point de vue économique, financier et culturel, cette génération a un rapport aux banques très différent et transformera inévitablement le secteur financier en profondeur."

June 2017: Panel on landscape investing: Reaping financial harvest from biodiversity

Sustainable landscaping is the encompassing practice of developing integrated environmental and social practices to mitigate the harmful effect of non-sustainable practices, restoring harmony and balance between man and nature. It offers tremendous untapped opportunities for economic development. At the event sponsored by Philanthropy Impact, BF was on a panel to discuss this broad field of opportunities and highlight the attractiveness for long-term active investors, their advisors and engaged conservationists, in combining financial return with long term social-environmental benefits

For more about Philanthropy Impact and the event: http://www.philanthropy-impact.org/events/event-listing/zurich-sustainable-landscaping

October 2016: Keynote and Mass Challenge Selection Panel

We were thrilled to be a part of this year's Mass Challenge in Switzerland, as both the keynote speaker on "Fast Track to Impact Investing: What’s in it for Entrepreneurs?" and on the entrepreneur selection panel. Each year, MassChallenge awards up to $2m in equity-free cash prizes to help high-impact startups succeed. "We are the most startup-friendly accelerator on the planet."

Read about the work of Mass Challenge here: http://switzerland.masschallenge.org/

September 2015: Speaking at Milan World Expo 2015

As part of Sustainable Finance Geneva, Tenke Zoltani will speak at the Milan Expo 2015 on feeding the world sustainably. Invited by the City of Geneva on the occasion of Milan World’s Fair 2015, Sustainable Finance Geneva unites experts from Geneva’s unique financial ecosystem. This year's theme,  "feed the planet, energy for life," is dedicated to modern and sustainable strategies in agriculture. The 145 countries participating present their futuristic innovations in spectacular displays. Zoltani's panel is entitled 'FROM FARM TO FORK:WHY AGRICULTURE NEEDS INNOVATION IN FINANCE'.

For more information and to register to attend, see http://www.sfgeneva.org/index.php/2015/09/21/11463/

June 2015: Zoltani elected to Executive Committee of Sustainable Finance Geneva

Sustainable Finance Geneva is an association of investment professionals. Launched by 17 professionals at the forefront of the industry in 2008, today, the association boasts some 250 members and numerous institutional partners.  SFG’s objectives are focused on two key areas: 1)Raising key financial players’ awareness about responsible investment solutions through different information channels (studies, conferences, exchange of best practices, training sessions, internet site, newsletter, social media…); 2)Promoting the Swiss and Genevan financial centers.

SFG has progressively become the reference platform in Switzerland in matters of sustainable finance. It has established a dialogue with Genevan and Swiss institutions, as well as political and academic institutions.

Zoltani is now a member of the Executive Bureau and Strategy & Surveillance Committee.  The Executive Bureau is in charge of the association’s operational management. It is comprised of a maximum six people, including the Vice-President and the Managing Director. The Strategy & Surveillance Committee (S&SC) is comprised of specialists from different sectors within sustainable finance. There is a 2-year rotating presidency within the S&SC. The S&SC defines the association’s strategic goals, while the President is the association’s spokesperson for the public, the media, and partners.

Other duties include taking part in the GA. A General Assembly is held every year to present the results of the association’s activities to all members, as well as vote on the budget. 

A link to the other members and more on SFG can be found here.

21 April 2015: Curating Innovative Financial Products for Change

At the beginning of 2014, more than one out of every six dollars under professional management in the United States -over $6.57 trillion- was invested according to socially-responsible strategies. But, we are now moving past ESG screening strategies and microfinance investments to more innovative financial products. Asset classes ranging from commodities to private debt, have begun incorporating mission-related investing into their frameworks with a goal of improving extra-financial returns for investors. Strategies such as corporate engagement and activist investing have reached new highs in AUM while generating meaningful change within companies, for shareholders and stakeholders.

100WHF Executive Committee Member Tenke Zoltani co-organised the event, providing education on financial innovations and future opportunities from thought leaders in this accelerating space. The discussion focused on potential challenges and ways to access such strategies to diversify portfolios. 

Other panelists included: Guillaume De Torquat, Moringa Fund, Dominique Habegger, de Pury Pictet Turrettini, Maria Lamas, ResponsAbility Investments AG

4-6 February 2015: Speaking on Sustainable Luxury in a VUCA World

Join Better Finance at Geneva's Sustainable Luxury Forum to understand the impacts of corporate value chains on the shift to sustainable, ethical luxury.  Two major developments create new management challenges for brands in the luxury manufacturing sector. On the one hand, internet, mobile phone technology and social media have created new levels of transparency and global interconnectedness. Citizens today can raise attention to issues that they find unacceptable in milliseconds. They hold brands, not state actors accountable, and they expect, at a minimum, respect for human rights. On the other hand, brands often rely on complex global supply chains that are quite opaque. Lacking transparency creates risks for brands that they cannot manage. Ironically, current sourcing practices further aggravate the problem and render brands defenseless when public accusations hit. The talk will offer suggestions for how brands can operate a responsible supply chain in a VUCA environment.

More information is available: http://www.sustainableluxury.com

21 September 2014: Better Finance in The Guardian: Saying goodbye to the old boys' network

"More inclusive leadership can benefit both public and private organisations. So what stands in the way of diversity? A recent survey revealed that more than 40% of women identify themselves with a “collaborative” leadership style.

So are the days of the old boys’ network over? A new push is being seen around the world for more inclusive leadership, characterised by shared goals, common vision and more diverse voices. But we aren’t there yet. How much have companies, organisations and governments moved away from Superman-style leadership, opaque to those not directly in the decision-making loop? That was one of the questions discussed at this year’s Global Economic Symposium in Malaysia, where experts and leaders from both public and private sectors gathered to discuss why inclusive leadership is a good thing and what prevents it from happening.

Tenke Zoltani, founder of sustainable finance organisation Better Finance, has direct experience of how leadership changes when organisations need to generate more than simply financial returns, and instead also look at their social, environmental and cultural impact. “In the social enterprise sector, diversity in thinking is gaining prominence and leading to the acceptance and enabling of disruptive businesses. Ultimately, I equate more inclusive leadership models with a greater appetite for risk, and in the investment as well as philanthropic sectors this means supporting previously overlooked opportunities that have the potential to lead to impact at scale.”

Astrid Tuminez, Microsoft’s regional director of legal and corporate affairs for southeast Asia, said that rising economic prosperity in Asia had a dark side, with complex problems that needed to be addressed through diverse approaches.

Tuminez, not surprisingly, felt that technology is having a big impact on the way today’s leaders manage, but delegates were divided on whether technology is more likely to encourage or discourage more inclusive leadership. For some, the always-on nature of today’s technology is disruptive and not conducive to a work/life balance, but others felt the ability to be work more flexibly was a huge boon and could support different styles of leadership to the old-fashioned idea of being always in the office.

Hans-Paul Bürkner, chair of the Boston Consulting Group, said organisations around the world could benefit from mobilising all possible talent. His own company’s experience, he said, showed that it could sometimes take a while for more diverse teams to engage with one another, but the results were ultimately beneficial for the organization."

 Read the full article, by Jane Dudman, here.

6-8 September 2014: Impact Investing showcased at Global Economic Symposium

Tenke Zoltani, Fellow of the Global Economic Symposium since 2013, organised and moderated a session on channeling financing to the impact investing and venture philanthropy sectors in Asia, bringing together key actors across industries to share knowledge, debate and discuss the challenges and opportunities to come. Panelists included Ruby Shang, Senior Advisor for the Clinton Foundation, Asia; Mark Sayer, CEO of Asia IIX and Family Office Advisor; Grace Sai, Founder of the HUB Singapore and Head of Toniic Singapore and Advisor to the Malaysian Government; Kal Joffre, Director of Tandemic; and Terence Chia, founder of Blue Impact social enterprise. 

The full writeup and introductory video are here.

September 2014: Better Finance included alongside Microsoft, The Guardian, Boston Consulting Group and Global Summit of Women at Global Economic Symposium

As part of the Global Economic Symposium 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Better Finance was invited to be a part of an evening dinner session with senior experts from some of the world's best recognised organisations to discuss inclusive leadership. The session, 'A 21st Century Challenge: Inclusive Leadership' tied together the experiences of business professionals in encouraging diversity of thought and innovation to create more equitable societies. Better Finance's Tenke Zoltani spoke on the necessity of fostering inclusive businesses, driven by pioneers who can assess and engage opportunities that target previously overlooked business models. In addition to Tenke, speakers included: Hans-Paul Bürkner, Chairman, The Boston Consulting Group, Germany; Astrid Tuminez, Regional Director, Microsoft, Philippines; Irene Natividad, President, Global Summit of Women, USA; Jane Dudman, Editor, The Guardian, UK (moderator).

For more information on the programme and speaker biographies: http://www.global-economic-symposium.org

6-8 July 2014: Join Better Finance at the Trust and Integrity in the Global Economy (TIGE) retreat in Caux, Switzerland

The goal of TIGE is to explore how humanity can be brought into business, to address people’s needs, create jobs and wealth in an equal and sustainable manner.  The focus will be on new economic models that are transforming society and empowering people. As an invited guest, Tenke will be taking part in the EPIC workstream, the programme for next generation "Entrepreneurs, Pathfinders, Innovators and Changemakers." 

4-6 June 2014: Better Finance presents on impact investing opportunities at annual family office forum

Better Finance Founder Tenke Zoltani was invited to be a panelist for the highly anticipated impact investing session on Thursday morning at Opal Financial Group's Family Office Forum in Geneva. Speaking from a practitioner's point of view, Tenke explained how to access opportunities in the sector as the market has evolved over the past several years, she highlighted some of the challenges, and offered advice on best practices and resources. The panel also featured Susanne Bregy of Rhodanus Capital, Paul van Aalst of SOVEC African investment fund, and was moderated by journalist and financier Tom Minney.

27 November 2013: Better Finance on co-Investing at EVPA in Geneva

This year Tenke Zoltani was asked to moderate the panel "Co-Investing: How to Make It Work?" alongside panelists: Johannes Weber, Founder & Managing Partner at Social Venture Fund; Deirdre Davies, Director at Deutsche Bank Private Equity & Private Markets; and Olivier Lafourcade, Chairman at Investisseurs & Partenaires. The session tied together themes imperative to growing the impact investing space. 

Co-investing offers a lot of potential – as it mobilises more resources. But it also brings more voices and potentially different expectations around the table. Is the value of co-investing then over-rated? Or are the barriers over-estimated? This session will dig deeper into what works, and what doesn’t work in co-investing.

The EVPA is a membership association made up of organisations interested in or practicing venture philanthropy and social investment across Europe. Established in 2004, the association aims to be the home as well as the highest-value catalytic network of European social investors, venture philanthropists and foundations committed to using venture philanthropy and social investment tools to target societal impact.

For speaker bios and more information see: http://www.evpa.eu.com/annual-conference-2013/programme/speakers/

November 2013: Check out Beauty and the Bull women's finance magazine for strategic advice from Better Finance

This month Better Finance was honored to write a piece featured in Beauty and the Bull. The article,  Departing from Traditional Investing, a Foray into SRI and Impact gave readers insight into sustainable investing to answer the question,  if 20% of global assets are said to be managed with ESG considerations, where does that leave the other 80% of our assets?

Beauty and the Bull is a financial magazine for women and by women and includes investor intelligence, expert advice and resources exclusively from leading women advisors and investment managers.

Find them on https://www.facebook.com/beautybullmag or http://beautybullmag.com/

24 September 2013: Better Finance's Tenke Zoltani leads joint 'Impact Due Diligence and Evaluation Workshop' at Giving Women Annual Conference

Giving Women’s third Annual Conference took place on Tuesday, 24 September 2013 at the hotel Mandarin Oriental in Geneva on the theme of The Empowerment of Women through Technology.

Disadvantaged women globally face insurmountable challenges in their daily lives. It is the mission of Giving Women to ensure that such women are empowered to reach their full potential and positively impact their families and communities. Innovative use of technology has been effective in lifting the many roadblocks to women’s empowerment.

The workshop led by Elianna Moquette and Tenke Zoltani centred on successful evaluation, due diligence and monitoring of a social enterprise supported by Giving Women, 'Women on Wheels' in Delhi.