The Deep Transitions Lab distinguishes itself through a collaborative approach, bringing together academics and investors in a partnership of mutual learning and knowledge co-creation. The methodology is centered around experiments: organised learning journeys that involve working together to analyse a system, develop a vision for a desired future state, construct pathways, and identify investment opportunities within these pathways.
This video, part of the UNECE ‘Innovation Circle podcast’ series, discusses the Deep Transitions Lab and the approach to working with investors.
It reveals how experiments challenge traditional investment practices by shifting the focus from individual company impact to system-level change, prioritising long-term goals over short-term returns. The Lab also encourages investors to become ‘world builders’ by collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders, including policymakers, businesses, and civil society.
The contributors highlight challenges for investors, including time demands, pressure to show quick results, and conflicts with existing practices. They stress the importance of partnerships to create a protected space for experimenting with new investment approaches.
Acknowledgements
Our thanks to the UN-ECE and its Transformative Innovation Network (ETIN) for hosting this discussion. ETIN is a strategic platform for peer learning and exploration of policies and practices for transformative system change through innovation.
Citation
Benedetti del Rio, R., Schot, J. and Shaw, V. (2024). Advancing transformative investment through partnership. UN-ECE Transformative Innovation Network (ETIN). Available at: https://www.tipresourcelab.net/resource/unece-podcast-advancing-transformative-investment-through-partnership
