G. Francis
Rapid Ventures,
United States
Keywords: TBA
Summary:
Accelerating the deployment of climate hard technologies—breakthrough innovations crucial for deep decarbonization—requires overcoming significant financial hurdles. These technologies often face a "valley of death" between research and development and widespread market adoption, struggling to attract sufficient investment due to perceived high risks and long timelines. This presentation explores how blended finance can bridge this gap and unlock the necessary capital for commercialization. We will delve into the mechanics of blended finance, examining how public and philanthropic capital can be strategically deployed to de-risk private investment and create attractive opportunities for institutional investors. The discussion will cover successful case studies, highlighting various blended finance structures and their impact on scaling climate hard technologies across sectors. Furthermore, we will address the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing blended finance approaches, including measuring impact, ensuring additionality, and fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how blended finance can be a powerful tool for driving innovation and accelerating the transition to a net-zero future.