On April 29-30, the leaders of Impact Investing are gathering in Chicago for the Impact Capitalism Summit. The Summit will be the first to take a portfolio approach to Impact Investing which looks across asset classes to deploy capital for return and impact. Attendees include investment officers of family offices, foundations, endowments, and pensions funds. The Summit will represent one of the largest gatherings of investable assets focused on deploying capital to make a positive impact while still maximizing returns. As Impact Investing moves into the mainstream, family offices and foundations are engaged in learning the current state of the sector and what investments approaches are working for other institutional investors. The purpose of the Summit is to educate and there will be no offers or sales of securities or solicitation of offers.

“We’ve been waiting for a conference like this to be organized. As impact investing moves into the mainstream, there needs to be a professional investor-centric event for family offices and foundations that takes a rigorous portfolio approach to impact investing. I see this conference fitting the bill,” said R. Paul Herman, CEO of HIP Investor Ratings LLC, a rater of future risk and sustainability in portfolios.

“There is a real need for this type of conference. It addresses a key question of many family offices and foundations that are considering impact investing – how do I make money and make an impact at the same time across asset classes? There is a misconception that you can’t have both. But there are a growing number of investment opportunities and institutional investors that are busting that myth,” said Michael Whelchel, Managing Partner of Watershed Capital Group, the organizer of the conference.

“We like to call it SmarterMoney. When you can achieve your return targets and have impact, why wouldn’t you do it? Savvy investors like to maximize their returns. If investors are not looking at this sector, investors are leaving environmental and social returns on the table,” said Shawn Lesser, Managing Partner of Watershed Capital Group.

The Summit will explore the current state and trends of this dynamic sector, which is expected to reach $1 trillion over the next 10 years. A new model of value creation is emerging that is deploying capital in strategies that leverage the inherent link between natural, social and financial capital.

The Impact Capitalism Summit will feature a variety of industry leaders with panel discussions on specific asset classes including private equity, public equity, private debt, public debt and direct deals. The conference provides a rich environment for learning and business development opportunities.

About Impact Investing
Impact Investing is an emerging investment strategy that seeks to generate positive financial, environmental and social returns. JP Morgan’s survey indicates a growing market for impact investing, with respondents planning to commit USD 9 billion to impact investing in 2013, up from a total commitment of USD 8 billion in 2012.

About Watershed Capital Group
Watershed Capital Group is a specialty consulting firm assisting sustainable companies and fund managers seeking solutions including raising capital and executing M&A transactions and in evaluating strategic financial options. Watershed’s clients include entrepreneurs, companies, and fund managers scaling sustainable solutions that lead to competitive advantages and long-term value creation. Learn more at watershedcapital.com.

Big Path Capital

Big Path Capital

At Big Path Capital, we are innovative leaders expanding the path for business interests seeking multiple bottom line interests, taking the new economy from the margins to the mainstream, seeing the financial world generate good as it generates returns. As a global firm, Big Path Capital is advancing a sustainable economy connecting mission-driven companies and fund managers with mission-aligned investors.

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