SAN FRANCISCO: As valuations flounder for Silicon Valley startups once worth billions of dollars, investor interest is on the rise in startups with both financial and social benefits, such as healthcare software for poor communities or low cost solar panels for homes.
So-called "impact investing" rose to US$15.2bil (RM62.42bil) globally last year from US$10.6bil (RM43.53bil) in 2014, according to a recent report by the Global Impact Investing Network. The figure includes several types of investment, from funds to foundations, which intend to generate social and financial returns.
