Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
I can see clearly now.
I recently created a database of more than 80 private sector funds engaged in social enterprise investments. So what?
As I was mulling over the question of how to make sense of the chaos I just created, an assignment from the Lutheran Community Foundation (LCF - http://www.thelcf.org) comes my way. And then it all makes perfect sense, not necessarily measured in dollars and cents.
The LCF works nationally to help people act on their lives. The foundation provides solutions that match a donor's personal interests and financial circumstances. In layman terms, they manage your gifts and channel them towards organizations and programs that reflect your charitable interests. Ain't the LCF a pretty progressive organization. Custom-fit-grant-making, ever heard that before?
My 3-day consulting assignment with them involves landscaping the social sector investment space. As they add to their already impressive list of charitable fund options, they want to understand the highly electric social enterprise space. As the field of for-profit enterprises built around social objectives using innovative business models gains popularity, more traditional pools of capital are turning their heads this way. The current financial turmoil doesn't help their search for alpha either.
Back to square one, the database of private sector funds. It all fits neatly in to place, doesn't it? As I map these funds according to asset class and return demographics, the picture will become clearer, evident and even more compelling. I have a story to tell, LCF wants to hear it.
I can see clearly now the rain is gone.
As I was mulling over the question of how to make sense of the chaos I just created, an assignment from the Lutheran Community Foundation (LCF - http://www.thelcf.org) comes my way. And then it all makes perfect sense, not necessarily measured in dollars and cents.
The LCF works nationally to help people act on their lives. The foundation provides solutions that match a donor's personal interests and financial circumstances. In layman terms, they manage your gifts and channel them towards organizations and programs that reflect your charitable interests. Ain't the LCF a pretty progressive organization. Custom-fit-grant-making, ever heard that before?
My 3-day consulting assignment with them involves landscaping the social sector investment space. As they add to their already impressive list of charitable fund options, they want to understand the highly electric social enterprise space. As the field of for-profit enterprises built around social objectives using innovative business models gains popularity, more traditional pools of capital are turning their heads this way. The current financial turmoil doesn't help their search for alpha either.
Back to square one, the database of private sector funds. It all fits neatly in to place, doesn't it? As I map these funds according to asset class and return demographics, the picture will become clearer, evident and even more compelling. I have a story to tell, LCF wants to hear it.
I can see clearly now the rain is gone.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Good Capital
Its been a while, I agree.
But hey, things are on a roll here. I am in San Francisco, been here since mid-May pursuing my internship at Good Capital, a sustainability focused VC firm. My responsibilities are two-pronged: develop and support the social capital index and assist the portfolio team with due diligence of their investment pipeline.
I also wrote a brief introduction about me and my assignment for the 'Good Capitalist', Good Capital's free monthly community newsletter. The same should serve well for this post.
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In our quest to make this world a better place, I've come on board for the summer here at Good Capital to help flesh out the firm's Social Capital Index (SCI) initiative. Lack of efficiency and transparency in private social capital markets is a stumbling block in channeling funds towards social and communal causes. Developing the SCI is a first step towards a well organized financial system that has the potential of transforming the way growth capital is raised and applied in the sector. We believe that the SCI will help fill a critical piece of the puzzle and will help accelerate the flow of capital to good.
From the perspective of an MBA student seeking a career in the social venture capital space, this is a great opportunity for me to learn about the industry, its practices and its dynamic landscape. I have a Sustainable Enterprise and Investments concentration at UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School, and this internship with Good Capital allows me to blend my skills, background and career aspirations seamlessly. (More about me here.)
The Social Capital Index is also a platform for me to meet with sustainability focused entrepreneurs and investors and to build connections that will help me immensely throughout my career. While leveraging Good Capital?s broad network and my technical and financial skills, I want to contribute substantially towards the development of an asset class that attempts to value illiquid and patient investments.
Investments in this sector have reached a point where measuring them has become critical. The Social Capital Index (SCI) hopes to achieve this goal in its first phase. By collecting information about private investments, the SCI will account for deals that essentially fall through the cracks since they are not covered by other measurement indices. Beyond sizing the social capital market, we envision that as the market matures the SCI will develop into an asset from which other investment products will branch off. Through the SCI, we will not only measure the flow of capital in social markets but also create an efficient community resource that will benefit both entrepreneurs and investors.
I am currently building a simple online database that will enable us to make the information dynamic rather than static and make it easier for funds and entrepreneurs to put themselves into the index.
The SCI is one means to a satisfying and significant end. The key to global peace and prosperity lies in the hands of tomorrow's youth and it is important that we give them a chance to explore their talent and maximize their potential. Providing access to primary education and a basic standard of living is paramount to achieving that dream. By accelerating the flow of funds towards social causes and base of the pyramid markets, the SCI will be instrumental in achieving that dream and eventually in bringing a smile to the face of every child in this world.
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But hey, things are on a roll here. I am in San Francisco, been here since mid-May pursuing my internship at Good Capital, a sustainability focused VC firm. My responsibilities are two-pronged: develop and support the social capital index and assist the portfolio team with due diligence of their investment pipeline.
I also wrote a brief introduction about me and my assignment for the 'Good Capitalist', Good Capital's free monthly community newsletter. The same should serve well for this post.
------
In our quest to make this world a better place, I've come on board for the summer here at Good Capital to help flesh out the firm's Social Capital Index (SCI) initiative. Lack of efficiency and transparency in private social capital markets is a stumbling block in channeling funds towards social and communal causes. Developing the SCI is a first step towards a well organized financial system that has the potential of transforming the way growth capital is raised and applied in the sector. We believe that the SCI will help fill a critical piece of the puzzle and will help accelerate the flow of capital to good.
From the perspective of an MBA student seeking a career in the social venture capital space, this is a great opportunity for me to learn about the industry, its practices and its dynamic landscape. I have a Sustainable Enterprise and Investments concentration at UNC's Kenan-Flagler Business School, and this internship with Good Capital allows me to blend my skills, background and career aspirations seamlessly. (More about me here.)
The Social Capital Index is also a platform for me to meet with sustainability focused entrepreneurs and investors and to build connections that will help me immensely throughout my career. While leveraging Good Capital?s broad network and my technical and financial skills, I want to contribute substantially towards the development of an asset class that attempts to value illiquid and patient investments.
Investments in this sector have reached a point where measuring them has become critical. The Social Capital Index (SCI) hopes to achieve this goal in its first phase. By collecting information about private investments, the SCI will account for deals that essentially fall through the cracks since they are not covered by other measurement indices. Beyond sizing the social capital market, we envision that as the market matures the SCI will develop into an asset from which other investment products will branch off. Through the SCI, we will not only measure the flow of capital in social markets but also create an efficient community resource that will benefit both entrepreneurs and investors.
I am currently building a simple online database that will enable us to make the information dynamic rather than static and make it easier for funds and entrepreneurs to put themselves into the index.
The SCI is one means to a satisfying and significant end. The key to global peace and prosperity lies in the hands of tomorrow's youth and it is important that we give them a chance to explore their talent and maximize their potential. Providing access to primary education and a basic standard of living is paramount to achieving that dream. By accelerating the flow of funds towards social causes and base of the pyramid markets, the SCI will be instrumental in achieving that dream and eventually in bringing a smile to the face of every child in this world.
------
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Indie Cookout
There is not doubt that I am a avid fan of delicious food. Some people make their own cars and drive them, some make their own bats to play with, I make my own food and eat it. No kidding, it is a BIG hobby, considering I am in business school and it takes a fair amount of time to make a good meal. You get the idea, I am a good cook and I love to eat.
I had a few friends over for drinks and a fat Indian meal the other day. I had been dying to do this for ages, not because it gave me the incentive to clean the place, but I wanted my friends to try some traditional Indian food. Remember, food is what all homosapiens need, and it is an easy way to connect.
On the menu were Kashmiri Chicken, Keema, Nan (tandoori and garlic), rice and alcohol. The food turned out to be pretty good with good Danielle helping me cook and bad Brad helping me drink. The gathering was fun, Tim was at his funny best, Graham had his stories, Matt was happy he came, John looked relaxed and I looked cooked. The spices were perfect, the meats well done, the beer was chilled and the wine was red. I had a great time and will do this again soon. It can get boring to cook just for yourself all the time. Some company makes the effort worthwhile and brings the best out of a cook's potential. It is like cooking, need the right spices in the right quantities.
I had a few friends over for drinks and a fat Indian meal the other day. I had been dying to do this for ages, not because it gave me the incentive to clean the place, but I wanted my friends to try some traditional Indian food. Remember, food is what all homosapiens need, and it is an easy way to connect.
On the menu were Kashmiri Chicken, Keema, Nan (tandoori and garlic), rice and alcohol. The food turned out to be pretty good with good Danielle helping me cook and bad Brad helping me drink. The gathering was fun, Tim was at his funny best, Graham had his stories, Matt was happy he came, John looked relaxed and I looked cooked. The spices were perfect, the meats well done, the beer was chilled and the wine was red. I had a great time and will do this again soon. It can get boring to cook just for yourself all the time. Some company makes the effort worthwhile and brings the best out of a cook's potential. It is like cooking, need the right spices in the right quantities.
Monday, March 31, 2008
NC Department of Treasurer Investment Management Forum
I am doing the rounds in the corporate world, if only I had my dream internship to show for it.
Anyhow, I skipped Leadership Day at school today to attend the NC Department of Treasurer Investment Management Forum at the Rizzo Center. The DuBose house is a great venue for such events and this was one of the best by far.
We had top notch investment management professionals, venture capitalists and economists from all over the country attending. The event was organized as a series of panel discussions, one after the other, with breaks for lunch and coffee included. It was a great networking opportunity and learning experience for someone like me who is trying to break into the industry. The panel on alternative energy was awesome and personally germane for me.
What else? I feel dead tired and it is just Monday today! I need some adrenaline.
Anyhow, I skipped Leadership Day at school today to attend the NC Department of Treasurer Investment Management Forum at the Rizzo Center. The DuBose house is a great venue for such events and this was one of the best by far.
We had top notch investment management professionals, venture capitalists and economists from all over the country attending. The event was organized as a series of panel discussions, one after the other, with breaks for lunch and coffee included. It was a great networking opportunity and learning experience for someone like me who is trying to break into the industry. The panel on alternative energy was awesome and personally germane for me.
What else? I feel dead tired and it is just Monday today! I need some adrenaline.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Boston University Tech-Strategy Case Competition 2008
Before I begin, let me confess that this is my third attempt at starting a blog of my own. If I am not third time lucky, this will be the last. So, I hope this blog is here to stay.
I was proud to be selected as one of the four handsome technocrats UNC selected to represent Kenan-Flagler Business School at the 2008 BU tech-strategy case competition. The competition was sponsored and supported by Ericsson.
The team of Jason Dean, Sumit Goyal, Marcus Nichol and yours truly won the second prize, that includes a beautiful glass trophy, $15000 in prize money and serious pride. The participation was diverse with teams from EGADE Mexico, HKUST, IESE Spain, IIM Calcutta, LBS and SSE Stockholm, beyond the usual list of top notch US business schools, Harvard, MIT, Kellog and Stanford to name a few.
The event was a great opportunity to apply academic learning to a real world business problem Ericsson is trying to tackle. It was a great opportunity to hone one's skill of working with a team under severe pressure. And yes, there were some 'its_time_for_a_hug" moments. Sleep and Beer were integral part of our strategy and we managed to keep our focus by making efficient decisions.
At the end of the event, we managed to spend time with Ericsson's CFO Mr. Hans Vestberg, Ericsson's President of Spanish operations Mr. Ingemar Naeve, Ericsson's Head of Strategy Mr. Tomas Ageskog and other senior members of Ericsson's management body. I really enjoyed speaking with such successful, sharp yet humble personalities.
Stanford walked away with the honors for the first place. We did not get to see them as we presented at the very end. More importantly however, I now have an invitation to watch Real Madrid (The Whites) live from the Bernabeu. Beat that!
I hope I know how to attach pictures to this post so you can see our handsome mugs in action.
I was proud to be selected as one of the four handsome technocrats UNC selected to represent Kenan-Flagler Business School at the 2008 BU tech-strategy case competition. The competition was sponsored and supported by Ericsson.
The team of Jason Dean, Sumit Goyal, Marcus Nichol and yours truly won the second prize, that includes a beautiful glass trophy, $15000 in prize money and serious pride. The participation was diverse with teams from EGADE Mexico, HKUST, IESE Spain, IIM Calcutta, LBS and SSE Stockholm, beyond the usual list of top notch US business schools, Harvard, MIT, Kellog and Stanford to name a few.
The event was a great opportunity to apply academic learning to a real world business problem Ericsson is trying to tackle. It was a great opportunity to hone one's skill of working with a team under severe pressure. And yes, there were some 'its_time_for_a_hug" moments. Sleep and Beer were integral part of our strategy and we managed to keep our focus by making efficient decisions.
At the end of the event, we managed to spend time with Ericsson's CFO Mr. Hans Vestberg, Ericsson's President of Spanish operations Mr. Ingemar Naeve, Ericsson's Head of Strategy Mr. Tomas Ageskog and other senior members of Ericsson's management body. I really enjoyed speaking with such successful, sharp yet humble personalities.
Stanford walked away with the honors for the first place. We did not get to see them as we presented at the very end. More importantly however, I now have an invitation to watch Real Madrid (The Whites) live from the Bernabeu. Beat that!
I hope I know how to attach pictures to this post so you can see our handsome mugs in action.
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