#235 - Driving Growth Through Social Impact: Impact Tech and Deep Tech for Better Future

Businesses of all sizes are increasingly prioritizing social impact alongside traditional goals of pursuing economic profit and driving innovation. This shift is driven by growing consumer and employee awareness of social and environmental issues, as well as the rise of investment aimed at generating social and environmental impact alongside financial returns. This report examines corporate approaches like stakeholder capitalism and Creating Shared Value (CSV), structures and certifications such as Public Benefit Corporations and B-Corp, and the current landscape of impact investing and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investments.

Additionally, it highlights startups in impact tech and deep tech, categorized by social challenges and technological areas, as well as case studies of large corporations actively pursuing social impact initiatives. The report concludes by addressing barriers to growth in this market, such as the complexity of measuring social impact, challenges like greenwashing and woke-washing, and the risks associated with philosophies like effective altruism and effective accelerationism. Webrain believes that social impact is achieved through collaboration, with its effectiveness maximized when governments, businesses, community organizations, and individuals work together.