In the second of a series of comments from some of C3’s newest partners, Soros Economic Development Fund offers insight on C3 and on what is needed from impact investors at this moment.
Why join C3?
C3 provides a dynamic platform for shared learning and collective action, enabling us to help shape a more effective and inclusive market ecosystem at scale. Through this partnership, Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF) is eager to contribute insights from over 25 years of experience in impact investing, while also learning from peers to refine our strategies and deepen our impact.
We believe that C3 will enable us to deploy capital more strategically in complex environments and enhance our ability to drive systemic, long-term change.
What is the role of catalytic capital in this moment of increasing global uncertainty?
Climate change, geopolitical tensions, and deepening inequality are all contributing to critical financing gaps, making catalytic capital more vital than ever. Catalytic capital aims to fill these financing gaps by de-risking investments and crowding in other investors to support early-stage innovations, strengthen community resilience, and help scale solutions in underserved markets.
Given the current context, there is a clear call to action for impact investors to accelerate deployment of patient, flexible, and risk-tolerant capital. Impact investors must work together collaboratively, thinking creatively about how to stretch our capital and best use it as a tool for systemic change and long-term resilience.
SEDF possesses significant flexibility to design creative financing instruments to meet the current moment. By collaborating through initiatives like the C3, we can harness this flexibility to co-create bold, forward-thinking approaches alongside other leading investors in the field.