SOCAP/Europe today announced that its upcoming social capital conference in Amsterdam is drawing much more interest from established financial institutions than previous editions of SOCAP - highlighting that mainstream capital is ready to join the rapidly expanding movement around impact investing.

The change in attitude is highlighted by the decision of ABN AMRO Bank, one of the oldest Dutch financial institutions, to join SOCAP/Europe as a conference sponsor. Other pioneers already participating are Triodos Bank, Stichting DOEN, Root Capital, UnLtd, Skøll, LGT Venture Philanthropy, Blue Orchard Finance, responsAbility and Omidyar Network - and about 100 global social entrepreneurs.

"Impact investing is a trend that will continue to grow and we would like to act as a partner, advisor and facilitator for our clients and address their impact investing needs by using our network and investment capabilities," said Hein van der Loo, Managing Director Institutions and Charity Banking at ABN AMRO Mees Pierson. "ABN AMRO supports SOCAP/Europe because it brings together social entrepreneurs and investors and in doing so we support the development of the impact sector."

Impact investing is a relatively new and rapidly expanding movement aimed at using capital to solve social and environmental problems - while also generating a financial return. The majority of funding is currently allocated to microfinance, but investments in projects in energy, education, housing and agriculture are quickly gaining ground. Impact investing could represent a significant asset class "“ with hundreds of billions of euros in commitments "“ just five years from now, according to several independent studies.

"We're seeing a new flow of capital and increasing appetite from mainstream financial institutions, which is a clear sign that the impact investing sector is evolving into a serious asset class," said Kevin Jones, founder and convener of SOCAP/Europe. "That also brings challenges: a key theme throughout the conference is how to work with mainstream capital while preserving the mission and keep both meaning and money solidly in the mix."

SOCAP/Europe marks the first time the social capital movement is coming to Europe following three successful conferences in the U.S. The first edition, SOCAP08, drew 600 people to San Francisco, mostly individuals and venture funds. Two years on, at SOCAP10, attendance had more than doubled to 1,400, while another 20,000 people followed the conference online. SOCAP/Europe is preparing to welcome social entrepreneurs and investors from more than 40 countries at the Amsterdam conference.

"SOCAP/Europe welcomes everyone involved in money with meaning: from banks and pension funds to innovation funding agencies, philanthropists, family foundations, business angels and emergent entrepreneurs." said Frank van Beuningen, director of PYMWYMIC, long-time social investor and co-founder of the conference. "SOCAP/Europe is the place to meet inspiring best practice businesses that create global solutions for a sustainable future."

SOCAP/Europe is a cross-continent partnership between SOCAP and Amsterdam's PYMWYMIC (Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is Community), one of the earliest and most experienced impact investing firms in Europe. Frank van Beuningen, founder of PYMWYMIC, started Europe's first impact investing fund in 1997 and has since seeded 30 impact companies. San Francisco-based SOCAP, which stands for "social capital," is a multi-platform organization dedicated to the flow of capital towards social good. SOCAP's event series connects leading global innovators - investors, foundations, institutions and social entrepreneurs - to build a marketplace at the intersection of money and meaning.

SOCAP/Europe, May 30/May 31/June 1, 2011
Beurs van Berlage, Damrak 243, Amsterdam
http://europe.socialcapitalmarkets.net/
Follow us on Twitter @SOCAPeurope

For more information and images, please visit http://europe.socialcapitalmarkets.net/.

Social Capital Markets

Social Capital Markets

SOCAP is a multi-platform organization dedicated to the flow of capital towards social good. Our event series connects innovators worldwide - investors, foundations, institutions and social entrepreneurs - to build a market at the intersection of money and meaning. SOCAP has received global recognition as a leader in the social capital space.

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