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The Third Plate and the Future of Impact Investing

Our food system is broken. While we have solved the problem of how to produce lots of calories for a low direct cost, this same food system has resulted in an obesity epidemic; it is why nearly 10% of the U.S. population has Type 2 diabetes; and, most recently, it likely is playing a role … Continued

A Cleaner Path: Solar Energy’s Impact on Health

Imagine for a moment that the light used in your home was a poison. One that could damage your lungs, irritate your eyes, even impact the health of your unborn child. You’d think twice about flicking on that switch. Kerosene lamps—used by an estimated 290 million people across Africa—contribute to household air pollution. Such pollution is … Continued

What Women Can Do

In these uncertain times, when progress towards a more just world sometimes seems to be slowing, or even reversing its course, I often ask myself the question, what can I do? It’s easy to feel small or isolated in the face of so many challenges, many of which seem to have escalated over the past … Continued

Lighting the Way: A Look at Solar Energy’s Impact on Poverty Alleviation

In the last decade, solar lanterns have emerged as a clean, cost-effective solution to provide access to modern energy to the 1.2 billion people currently living off-grid. These small, portable and rechargeable lights fulfill an immediate need for the poor and, as a result, have become increasingly widespread in countries across Africa, South Asia and … Continued

An Introduction to Acumen’s Energy Impact Series

We live in a world that is piloting driverless cars and commercial space flight yet, when the sun goes down across the globe, one in six people live more or less in darkness. For these 1.2 billion mostly poor, mostly rural people, a lack of reliable, affordable energy has an overwhelmingly negative impact on their … Continued

Congratulations to the 2016 Pakistan Fellows!

Last month, Acumen held a celebration ceremony for the Pakistan Fellows Class of 2016 to commemorate the completion of the cohort’s first year as Acumen Fellows. Keynoted by Acumen President, Carlyle Singer, the event brought together Acumen community members from across Pakistan and showcased the leadership journeys of these 21 dynamic social change-makers. This year’s … Continued

‘Embrace failure’ Acumen’s CIO Urges Impact Investors

An assertion crucial to the increasing popularity of impact investing was challenged at a debate in central London on Monday evening. Acumen, the charitably funded investor that offers loans or equity, hosted a debate together with Business Fights Poverty at the headquarters of professional services firm EY. The motion put forward was: “This house believes impact … Continued