Future Impact Finance Social Investment Hackathon

Innovating for the Future of Social Investment

Join members of the Future Impact Finance community for our first Social Investment Hackathon – a collaborative, hackathon-style event designed specifically for early-career professionals working across social investment and impact finance.

This isn't a coding hackathon (no technical skills required!). Instead, it's an opportunity to spend an afternoon tackling some of the challenges facing the sector, working alongside peers from across the ecosystem to develop practical and innovative solutions.

Whether you're passionate about improving access to capital, using data more effectively, or designing better tools for the sector, this event is designed to give you the opportunity to think creatively, collaborate with others and build something tangible.

Why are we running this event?

Following feedback from the Future Impact Finance community, we heard that members are keen to develop practical skills, strengthen their networks and gain experience working through real-world challenges facing social and impact investment.

The hackathon has been designed to:

• Bring together early-career professionals from across the impact finance ecosystem
• Create opportunities for collaboration and peer learning
• Explore innovative solutions to challenges facing the social investment sector
• Provide participants with a tangible output they can point to following the event
• Strengthen connections across the Future Impact Finance community

Our ambition is to create a fun, practical and engaging experience that leaves participants feeling inspired, connected and better equipped to contribute to the future of the sector.

What can I expect?

Participants will work in small multidisciplinary teams (3-5 people) to tackle a live challenge within social and impact investment.

Throughout the afternoon you will:

• Hear from sector leaders and practitioners
• Collaborate with fellow attendees to develop an innovative solution
• Receive support and guidance from mentors
• Pitch your team's ideas to a panel of judges
• Network with peers from across the Future Impact Finance community

You don't need any prior hackathon experience to take part – just bring your ideas, curiosity and enthusiasm.

Challenge Themes

The final challenge statements will be shared closer to the event and are being shaped by community feedback. Potential themes include:

• Building practical tools and resources for the social investment sector
• Using data more effectively across impact finance
• Designing better investment readiness support for organisations seeking capital
• Supporting emerging fund managers
• Improving access to social and impact investment

The aim is for teams to develop practical, implementable solutions that have the potential to improve how the sector operates.

Who is this event for?

This event is designed for:

• Early-career professionals within social investment (approximately 0-5 years' experience)
• Individuals working in social investment or impact investing
• Professionals working in philanthropy, foundations and advisory organisations
• Members of the Future Impact Finance network
• Anyone interested in shaping the future of social and impact investment

We particularly welcome attendees from a range of backgrounds and organisations. Diverse perspectives are essential to developing innovative solutions.