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An Expert Workshop on Sustainability Oriented Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship

7-8 June, 2002 | Fontainebleau, France Solutions to environmental and social problems (be they technologies, products or services) are being touted as the next wave of ‘hopeful monsters’ for investors. Is such enthusiasm for the business benefits of sustainability justified? If so, what is the next step for investors interested in a triple-bottom line (i.e. environmental, social and financial) return? Where does venture capital fit into the picture? INSEAD, UNEP FI and leading practicioners attended the first European event on sustainable venture finance on 7-8 June, 2002. We discussed whether and when it is profitable to invest in sustainability-oriented venture capital funds and entrepreneurial ventures. We identified possible answers to these questions and agreed on a plan to study them further.