Positive Returns

Alvin Li is taking an impact-first approach with his latest investments that pay it forward, alongside a trusted partner, DBS Private Bank

For the longest time, the prevailing wisdom on business activity has framed it as a zero‑sum game, where profits can only come at another’s expense—and often with negative externalities, no less. But what if generating returns and doing good can be two sides of the same coin?

The conversation around impact investing centres on the alternative view that a considered approach to deploying capital can produce outsized impact for the greater good, whether for communities or the environment. This theme is growing increasingly important, with individuals and organisations now placing greater emphasis on their core values when evaluating where they should allocate their investment capital. A recent study estimated the size of the global impact investing market to be nearly US$1.2 trillion in assets under management (AUM) at the end of 2021—up 63 per cent since 2019.

A RETHINK ON RETURNS

Social entrepreneur Alvin Li has been deeply involved in impact investing for more than a decade. Since graduating with a Master’s in Management from the University of Cambridge, he has co‑founded several social enterprises. The multi‑hyphenate credits a trip to Africa for his conviction in the potential of businesses and investments to drive social and environmental changes.