Over the next two decades, some of the largest and most transformative market opportunities are expected to arise from tackling complex social, environmental, and economic megatrends — from climate change to health and demographic shifts.
Innovation is completely changing the role ventures can play as part of the solution. The most ambitious founders are seizing this opportunity and building impact-driven businesses. As a result, some of the most valuable companies of the next 20 years will likely be those addressing social and environmental challenges. Businesses that embed impact at their core are better positioned to capture market opportunities and mitigate risks. Impact isn’t a trade-off; it’s a competitive edge that drives long-term value.
Stacking Strategic Levers: How VCs and founders can maximise impact to drive value
By understanding how these mechanisms work, VCs can more effectively identify and select high-potential opportunities, while helping founders harness these dynamics to their strategic advantage—ensuring that impact becomes a driver of success, not just a by-product.
Drawing on insights from over 20 leading VCs and LPs, ImpactVC has created this resource to help VCs and founders identify and leverage these dynamics.
"We consistently observe a positive correlation between financial performance and impact performance.” (EUVC, 2025)
Cyril Gouiffés
Head of Social Impact Investments at the European Investment Fund
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Comments on the EIF portfolio
"The proportion of impact companies, those that are SDG aligned, account for both 40% of invested capital and 40% of NAV.”
(EUVC, 2025)
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Chloe Dagnell
Principal at Isomer Capital
"Stop thinking of impact as a trade‑off to commercial goals.”
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Fabian Heilemann
Serial entrepreneur turned investor, founded climate‑tech fund AENU (€170M AUM)
