Rodney Schwartz - ClearlySo - Pioneering Impact Investment Banking

Rodney Schwartz is CEO and Founder of ClearlySo, the leading impact investment bank. ClearlySo is working towards a world where the financial system is a powerful force for good and the impacts of businesses are considered in all investment decisions. It is their mission to bring impact as the third dimension into investing, where all investors consider risk, return and impact – creating an environment for entrepreneurs and businesses that make a difference to thrive.

Highlights:

Rodney’s personal journey from investment banking to running fintech VC firm Catalyst
The motto of ClearlySo is to create 100 Just Givings
Impact businesses are less risky
Why a dream team beats having the best founders
How JustGiving pivoted their way to finding their customers
Examples of smart energy services and experimental companies tackling food waste

Useful links:

ClearlySo https://www.clearlyso.com/

Just Giving https://www.justgiving.com/

Project Drawdown https://www.drawdown.org/

Upside Energy https://upsideenergy.co.uk/

Bulb Energy https://bulb.co.uk/

Tonik Energy https://www.tonikenergy.com/

OddBox https://www.oddbox.co.uk/

Lettus Grow https://www.lettusgrow.com/

Time stamp:

[01:30] Who is Rodney Schwartz and what is ClearlySo?

[03:36] Why work in the social impact investing space?

[09:30] Creating a 100 JustGivings

[12:28] Where we get deal flows

[18:08] Do they have a dream team?

[22:21] JustGiving and their journey pivoting toward their real customers

[24:30] Lettus Grow, OddBox and other examples

[31:00] Paying for impact measurement

[32:25] Future of ClearlySo

For more information go to Green Add Venture
This episode is hosted by Jake Woodhouse – connect with Jake on Linkedin or Twitter
This episode is produced by Woon Tan of Podcast Publishing
Designs are made by Joshua Barnes of Forage Studio

Full transcript of the episode available here.

Rodney Schwartz – ClearlySo – Pioneering Impact Investment Banking