2023: Year of Curiosity and Compassion

The year end and new beginning are an invitation to reflect and to look ahead. In the forward-looking conversation, there are countless interpretations about the year to come. One stood out to me that called 2023 the year of curiosity and compassion. I like these themes because they are also states of mind that we can adopt in response to whatever may come.

Approaching life with curiosity means seeking to learn more in every experience and striving to understand the experience of others – I believe that this approach contributes to a more balanced viewpoint and helps us to step outside of assumptions and patterned behavior.

One definition of compassion is ‘suffering together,’ but at the root I think compassion is more about togetherness than suffering. To act with compassion is remain connected with others in the face of challenges, when celebrating wins, and especially in moments when its hard to understand the experience of others.

Curiosity and compassion are mutually beneficial, one reinforces the other, and both contribute to being present, open, and connected. That’s the mindset we’re aspiring to in kicking off a dynamic 2023. What words or themes are on your mind for the year ahead?

We continue to collaborate with our friends at the Shelter Venture Fund operated by Terwilliger Center and Habitat for Humanity International and celebrated the close of their equity investment of $300k in Tap Effect, a Cambodia-based piped water portfolio investment solution. We’re proud to have worked closely with this team on investment readiness preparation in the 2021 Sheltertech program and were thrilled to see this well matched deal finalized. Looking forward to a full update from our advisee cohort at the upcoming Sheltertech community event January 16.

As we continue laying the groundwork for our pilot Climate-tech Fund, one of the key events of 2022 was SOCAP, gathering the impact investing ecosystem in San Francisco in person after two years virtual. The conference provided opportunities for rich discussions with investors and featured an increased number of sessions related to housing and addressing emerging markets. The growth and evolution of the ecosystem was apparent, comparing to 2019 when we last attended, and was a testament to an increasing momentum for change.

Check out my quote about this year’s SOCAP on their website and consider joining next year!

Looking Forward:

In the year ahead we are excited to continue with the great relationships that we have with you and with the broader community and to work toward our shared goals! I will continue in my role as an MIT Solve Challenge Leader shaping this year’s sustainability challenge and will be looking forward to visiting campus for the SOLVE event in May. I’m also excited to be participating in the AVPN Asia Pacific Sustainable Seed Fund selection committee and with the Spring Activator Angels for Climate Solutions in Vancouver, BC.

As always, we are thankful for our clients and collaborators, and we hope to continue to expand our relationships with impact investors, entrepreneurs, and like-minded organizations in the coming year. Particularly entrepreneurs who need support in investment readiness and matchmaking, investors with an interest the climate-tech or housing sectors, and those seeking opportunities for collaborative mission-driven engagement.

Cheers!

Lisa Hanson & Ian Fishburn, Co-Founders

Global Urban Village