“Leading in ESG”: KfW Capital, VentureESG and the BMW Foundation to offer workshops for VC funds

• The goal: to strengthen ESG skills in the VC ecosystem
• Pilot phase to start in Berlin on 29 September 2022, with plans for a broad offering for VC funds

The new workshop series of KfW Capital, VentureESG and the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt entitled “Leading in ESG” will start in Berlin on 29 September 2022. The purpose of the training is to disseminate more knowledge around ESG themes (environmental, social and governance) in the VC ecosystem. Deeper knowledge of theory and best practices should help VC funds position themselves more professionally in the area of ESG and mainstream ESG criteria efficiently in the investment process.

The pilot phase is scheduled to run until 28 October 2022 and comprises seven individual workshops with interactive exercises, case studies and keynote presentations by VC practitioners and experts. One session will deal with different tools for integrating ESG into the investment process, for example, while another will address the topic of measuring ESG in the portfolio. Investment managers from HP Capital, Cherry Ventures, Cusp Capital and Atlantic Labs will be the first to participate in the pilot phase. After this phase is completed, the organisers will evaluate the series and eventually make it available to all VC funds – possibly with a modified focus – from Q1/2023.

Dr Jörg Goschin, Senior Managing Director of KfW Capital: “In addition to investing in VC funds, KfW Capital has the mandate and goal of developing the overall VC ecosystem further. Our focus here is on ESG. In the future, the only way to attract private and public-sector investors will be if VC funds follow ESG principles systematically from their investment strategy through their portfolio to their reporting. Along with our strong partners, we therefore very much look forward to providing even greater support for VC funds to develop their skills around ESG and implement this topic.”

Dr Johannes Lenhard, VentureESG/Cambridge University: “We have been watching and shaping the way VCs deal with ESG for the past two years, and this training is the logical next step. We are bringing together the absolute experts – in line with our mission to continue developing the ecosystem as a whole. In KfW Capital and the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt, we have found the perfect partners for it.”

Bryan Scheler, Head Sustainable Finance BMW Foundation: “We need responsible leadership in finance. Investment capital should be used purposely, as a lever for positive social and environmental change. The training aims to promote this sense of responsibility, showing ways to generate greater impact, and helping leading VC professionals to act more effectively through ESG.”

Note:
For more information please visit www.leadinginesg.com

Press contact:
Venture/ESG press contact:
BMW Foundation press contact: