Recently, our Chair hosted the symposium “Destination Impact: From Inspiration to Implementation,” supported by Meta, bringing together leading professionals and researchers in the field of impact investing at IE University in Madrid.
The symposium came at a pivotal moment for impact investing. While this field is rapidly expanding, it faces complex challenges that demand innovative and well-thought-out solutions. At the Chair, we believe that with intentional design and close collaboration with industry professionals, research can serve as a powerful catalyst, driving social and environmental progress while supporting the work of impact investors.
With this goal in mind, the symposium convened top professionals and academics from the impact investing ecosystem to collectively address the sector’s key challenges. By merging real-world expertise with academic insights, we identified future research avenues and initiatives aimed at tackling some of the most pressing issues in impact investing.
Representatives from organizations such as Toniic, Impact Europe, Creas, PFC Family Office, Sefea Impact, and others joined academics from ESADE, London Business School, Copenhagen Business School, Politecnico di Milano, and Durham University to address critical challenges in the field.
Through collaborative workshops, including the innovative “Serious Lego Play Challenge” methodology, participants blended hands-on experience with academic knowledge, working creatively to address real-world complex problems.
These interactive sessions transformed practical insights into concrete research questions, equipping impact investors with the tools they need to make informed decisions. We look forward to sharing the outcomes of the symposium in our upcoming report, turning ideas into tangible impact.
