On October 4, 2023, the eventSpain, the leading impact country: Transforming capitalism to achieve change”. An event organized by the Impact Observatory by Transcendent and Ontier which included the participation of Sir Ronald Cohen, considered the father of impact economics, founder of the venture capital manager Apax Partners and president of the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (GSG), the world's most important initiative to promote impact investing.

Committed philanthropist, venture capital investor, private equity investor, great social innovator, as well as a leading pioneer in promoting the Impact Revolution worldwide, he spoke of the keys and the opportunity it represents for Spanish companies to have a clear sustainability strategy, embrace impact and technology to find new markets and lines of business that generate high economic benefit while having a positive impact for people, as stated in his last book presented at this event in Madrid in its Spanish version “Impact: Transforming Capitalism to Achieve Change”.

Ronald Cohen Libro presentación
Presentation of the book in Spanish “Impact: Transforming Capitalism to Achieve Change”

Before more than 300 public and private sector leaders, entrepreneurs and the third sector, of the vice-president of the CEOE, Iñigo Fernández de Mesa, the general director of CaixaBank AM and president of SpainNab, Juan Bernal, the vice-president of the Impact Observatory and president of Ontier, Pedro Rodero, and the president of the Impact Observatory and partner of Transcendent, María Herrero, that “the Impact Revolution is guiding consumers, entrepreneurs, investors, companies, philanthropists and governments to create a tangible and measurable impact. To completely transform our economic model, the risk-profit-impact trinomial must become the epicenter of our decision-making.”

Equipo Transcendent y Ronald Cohen
Sir Ronald Cohen, accompanied by the president and vice-president of the Impact Observatory, the vice-president of the CEOE, the president of Spain NAB, the president of Social Action for Music and the members of Transcendent

Incorporating impact at the core of business strategy requires a process of transformation towards a new level in which companies incorporate into their strategic decisions the impact they generate, measuring and managing the effect they have on their stakeholders.

As Cohen explained, “when we look at the world through an impact lens, we discover opportunities for greater growth and profitability that would otherwise have gone unnoticed. In short, doing good can be big business.”

“The Impact Revolution is guiding consumers, entrepreneurs, investors, companies, philanthropists and governments to create a tangible and measurable impact.” In fact, as of today cMore and more companies that, managing sustainability as a strategic element of management, they have in their road map evolve your business model towards impact. “We must transform our economic model so that, instead of causing problems, we generate solutions,” said Cohen.

Generate more profitability from impact

This change in model is reflected in a greater recognition of companies that meet ESG criteria, promote the creation of long-term value and prioritize economic activities that optimize positive social and environmental impact, rather than mere financial return in the short term.

For all these reasons, the volume of impact investment has grown exponentially, and has mobilized in recent years 1 billion euros in impact investment and 40 billion in ESG investment.

Current capitalism, based solely on economic benefit, can be changed to a capitalism that is focused on economic benefit and social impact alike, redirecting large flows of capital to improve the world, explains the author and renowned businessman.

“The time has come for us to raise our voices, to create impact through our decisions. From how we work, buy and invest, to how we manage to influence our governments,” said Sir Ronald Cohen.

This meeting, the second organized by the Impact Observatory this year, aims to promote the impact that companies are able to generate based on a focused economic model not only in minimizing damage, but in generating a positive impact.

The event closes a key year for Spain, after its start with the Impact Week in mid-June in Madrid, and as the venue for the GSG Annual Congress in Malaga, which took place in early October.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXtP3mZ08wM

Move forward on the path of sustainability
Cristina, communication leader at Transcendent
Cristina

Purpose Driven Communication

Are you interested in any of these categories?
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Reports
Download our report “7 Sustainability and Impact Trends for 2024"
Download Report
Blog image
By clicking 'Accept all cookies', you accept the storage of cookies on your device to improve site navigation, analyze site usage and assist in our marketing efforts. Consult our Privacy Policy for more information.