Impact investing explained: Finding the right capital for your mission with Dan Madhavan

What does it actually take to raise capital for a business built to create social or environmental impact? In this episode of Wade in Conversation, Jess speaks with impact investing expert Dan Madhavan about the realities of funding impact-led ventures. They unpack why having an impact mission does not automatically make a business investable, how different impact models attract different kinds of capital, and why founders need to understand the trade-offs behind every funding decision. Dan explains the difference between commercial and concessional impact investing, why blended finance is emerging as an important tool for complex problems, and how patient capital, governance and ownership can help founders protect their original mission as they grow. They also explore the questions investors should ask before backing an impact business, the risks of impact becoming watered down, and why founders must stay focused on the problem rather than falling in love with their first solution. Whether you are building an impact-led company, sitting on a board, deploying capital or simply trying to understand how finance can contribute to meaningful change, this conversation offers a practical starting point. Follow us on: LinkedIn -   / the-wade-institute   Substack - https://substack.com/@wadeinstitute Instagram -   / wadeinstitute   Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/033tl58... Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Or check out our website - https://wadeinstitute.org.au/