In recent decades, impact investing has proven its transformative capacity, mobilising over $2.5 trillion annually for the benefit of society and the planet. However, the current context—marked by the devastating effects of climate change and growing social inequality—reveals that this effort is not enough. Recent data indicates we are on track to achieve only 15% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), underscoring the urgent need for a more ambitious and systemic approach.
Within the context of XI Ship2B Impact Forum, Ship2B Ventures organized a session to reflect on how to accelerate the response from impact investment and redefine tools to address solutions with a systemic perspective. The event brought together leaders from major international organisations and public institutions who shared their insights and proposals for advancing towards a more systemic approach to impact investing.
Changing Paradigms: Addressing Causes, Not Just Symptoms
Alejandro Álvarez, Vice President for Europe at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, opened the session by emphasising the need to adopt new paradigms that foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders. According to Álvarez, systemic challenges require solutions that address the root causes of problems, rather than merely alleviating symptoms. “It’s not enough to offer painkillers for a headache; we must understand why we have that headache,” Álvarez stated, calling for the integration of efforts from multiple perspectives to tackle the complexity of today’s challenges.
The event featured a roundtable discussion with Antonio García (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation), Bryan Scheler (BMW Foundation), and Minerva Elias (European Investment Bank), moderated by Maite Fibla (Ship2B Ventures). The session highlighted a critical issue: while solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges already exist, they often fail to reach implementation due to a lack of funding.
Antonio García provided a compelling example: infectious diseases that claim the lives of millions of children every year, despite the availability of scientific solutions that could prevent these deaths. “Funding remains the principal obstacle to saving lives we already know how to save,” he remarked.
Bryan Scheler from the BMW Foundation emphasised the role of foundations as connectors within ecosystems. Given their high level of interaction with various stakeholders, foundations play a crucial role in ensuring additionality in the solutions they promote. “As a corporate foundation, we recognise that our contribution goes beyond capital. We focus on our role within the system, providing not just funds but also valuable connections, opening doors, and shaping the narrative to drive impact,” he stated.
Minerva Elias, representing the European Investment Bank, outlined three strategic priorities aimed at increasing the institution’s positive societal impact: fostering structured and inclusive dialogue with foundations of all kinds, promoting female talent in decision-making roles, and encouraging the active participation of young people. These priorities aim to align the bank’s resources with society’s most pressing needs.
The Public Sector’s Role in Systemic Change
The session concluded with a discussion on the role of government in enabling a more systemic approach to impact investing. Agustín Vitórica, Founder and Co-CEO of GAWA Capital, moderated the conversation between Raúl Sánchez (COFIDES) and Teresa Bretón (AXIS, Grupo ICO). Both experts agreed on the public sector’s vital role in leading initiatives that promote a more systemic and transformative investment model.
Raúl Sánchez highlighted that the goal of the Social Impact Fund, which manages €400 million, goes beyond merely mobilising capital: “It’s about driving a cultural shift that embraces systemic change,” he said. Similarly, Teresa Bretón underscored the need to identify and strengthen actors committed to creating positive impact. “The public sector has a responsibility to set the tone for impact investing, prioritising the most urgent social and environmental needs,” she concluded.
A Call for Collective Action
The XI Ship2B Impact Forum delivered a clear message: addressing global challenges requires a shift from traditional approaches towards a more collaborative and systemic lens. Combining efforts from foundations, public institutions, investors, and other ecosystem actors is essential to overcoming current limitations and advancing towards deeper, more sustainable, and stable solutions.
This approach does not aim to disregard the progress achieved thus far but rather to introduce new tools that enable the acceleration of responses to today’s major challenges. As Maite Fibla explained, “If we approach systemic change as a puzzle, we will understand that achieving the greatest impact requires valuing the contribution of every piece. If even one piece is missing, the final result will not be the same.”
You can access all the content from the XI Ship2B Impact Forum at this link.