OTHERS

The Killer Whales in the Room: What Is Stopping Early-Stage Impact Ventures from Scaling?

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM SGT Forum 2
About this session

There's an "elephant in the room" — except in impact investing, it swims. It circles. It's the barrier everyone sees but rarely names out loud.

This candid, interactive session — led by 1000 Ocean Startups, the World Economic Forum, and Climate KIC — drags those killer whales into the open. Through live polling and honest, unscripted conversation between founders and investors, participants will confront what's really stalling early-stage impact ventures: funding that isn't fit for purpose, impact evidence no one can agree on, and partnerships that never quite materialise.

No panels. No pitches. Just the questions the ecosystem keeps avoiding — and the people willing to answer them.

Breakout discussions turn naming into action, and the session closes with real commitments: one thing you can offer the room, one thing you need from it.

Because the only way past a killer whale is to look it in the eye.

Session is followed by networking.

Impact Architects