Jul 20, 2018
If food choice is the panacea to remediate the biggest issues
plaguing man and our planet, how we capitalize the production and
distribution of that better quality food needs innovation within
the confines of modern high finance. On episode 26 we
welcome someone fighting this battle, Warren Valdmanis – Managing
Director of the Bain Capital Double Impact fund. Focused on
investing with three themes of impact: (i) Sustainability, (ii)
Health & Wellness, (iii) Community Building – Warren and his team
seek financial and impact growth for their partner companies
solving critical problems through sustainable business models. The
Bain Double Impact fund utilizes a value-added approach,
experienced team and a broad platform of expertise to provide the
resources and capabilities that these companies need to thrive in a
modern world.
In our 35 minute conversation we discuss a variety of topics
throughout the value chain of food, and throughout a circular
economy. Warren begins episode by shares interesting anecdotes and
details on a few of their portfolio companies. He describes the
criteria Bain Double Impact uses to assess and invest in these
different companies. Warren also shares how he got into the
impact space; how through both personal motivation to improve his
wellbeing and to cast a leading light for his family – they’ve
defined a tip-of-the-spear approach in private equity which could
till new ground for an industry looking to better connect with
millennial investors set to inherit $40 trillion in the next
decade.
With a goal of creating value for diverse stakeholders, Warren
Valdmanis and his partners at the Bain Double Impact fund set to
connect the desires of a modern consumer with the realities of
industry in dire need of ingenuity. This is not
philanthropy. And, that’s a wonderful thing as the only way
we’re going to deal with the problems of a shrinking planet pressed
by skyrocketing populations, and not enough resources to go around
if we stick to a business as usual approach – is to engage the free
markets and the capital markets to drive change through
multi-dimensional returns with impact on more.