Finding the Near Horizon: Lessons Learned from the First Wave of A&R Investing
For close to a decade, The Lightsmith Group has worked at the intersection of public and private capital to build the case for climate adaptation and resilience (A&R) as an investment opportunity, first through CRAFT, the first commercial investment vehicle dedicated to A&R technologies and solutions, and now through SCALE, a project developed with Conservation International, the GEF, and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that is identifying key financing gaps and building a pipeline of equity and credit opportunities in climate resilience.
This event marks a moment to take a step back and ask a broader question: What have ten years of A&R investing taught us, and what does that mean for the next wave of capital?
This convening is intended to open a frank conversation: Lightsmith will share what it has learned across a decade of sourcing, underwriting, and scaling A&R investments, including both success stories and cautionary tales, and will open those lessons learned to challenge, debate, and refinement by the public and private investors who ultimately seek to deploy capital at scale. The goal is to reach a clearer, shared understanding of what is needed to move from early deals to scalable investment allocations, and what concrete next steps different capital providers can take to consider the next wave of A&R investment.
The discussion will center on three questions:
Which of the lessons learned do you agree or disagree with?
What concrete, practical information or evidence would motivate your institution to invest capital in A&R over the next 12–24 months (e.g., proven market size, demonstrated investments at scale, exits with successful commercial returns, specific track record, management quality)? What gives you pause?
What is the #1 recommendation you could give investment managers or entrepreneurs about what would cause increased investment in A&R over the next 12–24 months?
Agenda
3:00 PM – Introduction & Presentation on Lessons Learned from CRAFT and SCALE
3:45 PM – Q&A
4:00 PM – Breakout Discussions
4:45 PM – Reconvene: Report back & call to action
5:00 PM – Reception immediately following