Bucharest, Romania, October 23, 2024 Impact Centric Talks, a pivotal side event of the How to Web Conference, concluded at the beginning of this month, successfully bringing together key players in the CEE impact ecosystem. Held at the vibrant Impact Hub Bucharest, this inaugural event brought together a diverse network of impact investors, social entrepreneurs, and representatives from corporations championing social responsibility across Central and Eastern Europe.
The event delved into the critical question of unlocking private capital to drive meaningful societal change. Discussions explored the current landscape of impact investing in Central and Eastern Europe, revealing both opportunities and challenges. The keynote address by Irina Mișca, European Women in VC & Fortech, provided valuable insights into impact investment, highlighting the growing interest and the need for more complex strategies to attract and effectively utilize private capital for social impact.
Discussions went beyond the traditional metrics of financial success. The panel, “Bridging the Impact Gap: The Funding Side,” featured leading figures from Tilia Impact Fund, Erste Social Finance, and Ascension VC & Alma Ventures. Their expert insights illustrated the effectiveness of blended finance strategies—combining grants, concessional loans, and venture capital—to effectively support enterprises at different stages of development. This collaborative approach highlighted the need for a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between company stage, risk profile, and investor expectations.
The event also showcased the Impact Creators program, a collaboration between Impact Hub Bucharest and PurposeTech, which aims to cultivate a supportive ecosystem for Romanian social enterprises. This program equips entrepreneurs with the resources and mentorship needed to scale their impact.
Impact Centric Talks also highlights the importance of demonstrating and measuring social impact. Participants shared experiences, best practices, and ambitious plans for a future where business success and social responsibility are inextricably linked. As captured in the event after-movie, Impact Centric Talks illustrated that impactful businesses span a spectrum from small-scale social enterprises serving underserved communities to venture-scale organizations utilizing transformative technologies.
“Impact Centric Talks represents a significant milestone for Romania’s and the region’s impact ecosystem,” commented Ana Crețu, Head of Impact Investments at Erste Foundation. “By uniting leading stakeholders, we’ve ignited crucial dialogues and sparked innovative solutions for securing the funding vital for impactful projects.”
Oana Craioveanu, Co-founder of Impact Hub Bucharest, added: “The startup ecosystem in Romania needs to move to the next level to track the impact generated by their businesses. A successful business also means its calibration in the community, which translates, beyond profit, into doing good.”
At the end of the event, Sonia Oprean, Synerb Co-founder, presented the Marc Impact Programme, a scaling program for impact-centric organizations, initiated by ERSTE Foundation, Erste Social Finance Holding, IFUA Nonprofit, and SIMPACT, as well as the 24 organizations from the Romanian cohort that will enter a period of mentorship and scaling: Curiera Transport Solutions, Help Autism, Sache, Ifresh Gottlob, Ophori Cosmetics, Curtea Culorilor, Caritas Câmpulung, Concordia Academia, Alimenterra, Open Learning, CA Grădina Bănățeană, Playful Software, Eco Atelierul Social, Autism Voice, Rubik School, Bio Banat Org, PiciordePlay, Curateco, Academia Clar, Alternativa Vegană, Senior Fit, Bucate din Banat, Integro Upcycling, NatRural Make. In Romania, Marc is implemented by Synerb, BCR, and BCR Social Finance.
Impact Centric Talks was a collaborative effort organized by How to Web and Impact Hub Bucharest, powered by ERSTE Foundation and Marc, with the support of PurposeTech and Tilia Impact Ventures, together with Synerb and AmpliFY ONG. The event demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering sustainable development and creating a vibrant ecosystem for impact-driven businesses in Romania and beyond.
You may also like
Venture in Eastern Europe: Romania is becoming an emerging hub for venture capital
Bucharest, Romania, October 23, 2024 Impact Centric Talks, a pivotal side event of the How to Web Conference, concluded at the beginning of this month, successfully bringing together key players in the CEE impact ecosystem. Held at the vibrant Impact Hub Bucharest, this inaugural event brought together a diverse network of impact investors, social entrepreneurs,… Read more »
Bitdefender’s Voyager Ventures: A New Chapter for Early-Stage Cybersecurity Innovators
Bucharest, Romania, October 23, 2024 Impact Centric Talks, a pivotal side event of the How to Web Conference, concluded at the beginning of this month, successfully bringing together key players in the CEE impact ecosystem. Held at the vibrant Impact Hub Bucharest, this inaugural event brought together a diverse network of impact investors, social entrepreneurs,… Read more »