SOCAP (Social Capital Markets) is dedicated to increasing the flow of capital toward social good. Our unique approach emphasizes cross-sector convening and gathers voices across a broad spectrum to catalyze unexpected connections. From the leading edge to established players, SOCAP brings together global innovators, investors, foundations, governments, institutions, and social entrepreneurs to build the world we want to leave to future generations. We actively seek out opportunities to accelerate the market at the intersection of money and meaning and, in pursuit of that goal, have convened more than 10,000 people since our founding in 2008. Our 2014 flagship event will take place September 2nd-5th at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco.

Topics you can expect at SOCAP14:

Impact Investing

Exciting developments from entrepreneurs, government, the private sector, and leading foundations over the past year will be explored, along with discussions of what infrastructure and field building is still to come.

Meaning

We take a deeper look at the inspiration behind efforts to ignite vibrant communities, including personal experience, values, faith, vision, and more. Meaning anchors the social capital markets and provides the North Star to individuals.

Food Systems

Explore market opportunities in building more sustainable and resilient food systems. We will look globally at how impact investment can support the large market shifts necessary to support sustainable food systems in the face of population growth and climate change. We will then zoom in on the local level to understand the connections of food, health, and economic empowerment and the gaps and opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs, and investors within the food system.

Sharing Economy

The sharing economy represents a shift towards a new community-driven economic model, with people collaborating, sharing and renting access to goods and services, rather than simple “ownership.” How do we ensure that accessibility and equitability are at the foundation of this new market system? What types of community-sourced capital and governance do start-ups in the collaborative economy need? And what are the corresponding investment models and opportunities?

Health

Building from last year’s theme and our recent SOCAP Health conference, we look at the challenges and opportunities of creating better health outcomes for people globally. Innovative approaches to improving health outcomes through low-cost interventions are on the verge of unprecedented scale and impact. Systems and solutions from the developing world are being used to reform a costly US healthcare system, while new technologies and creative financing are extending care to previously underserved populations around the world.

Financial Inclusion

Critical to igniting vibrant communities, financial inclusion is a foundation of sustainable development, both domestically and abroad. Technology, behavioral research and user-centered design are coming together to dramatically change the landscape of financial services for the poor.

Resilience

In the face of rapid global change, we must plan and build so that our cities, natural ecosystems, and personal sustainability are resilient. Understanding the design of resilient systems and the leading thinking to prepare for an unknown future will be the focus of these sessions.

Open

SOCAP:Open is our means of curating community-generated content, and crowdsourcing input on sessions they’d like to see at SOCAP14. Open sessions may fall within one of our existing content themes, or may stand alone as just too good to pass up.

Place-Based Innovation

Unique solutions spring from engaging the distinct challenges, assets, and stakeholders of a city or community. Where and how does place matter? How can communities find strengths and create what they need to thrive? Though they are often context-dependent, exploring place-based innovations can inspire each of us to see the tremendous opportunities of the places where we aim to have an impact.

Also featured at SOCAP14:

Real Assets

Within Impact Investing, real assets such as timber, farmland and fisheries are just a few of the tangible assets that have huge financial, social and environmental potential and are attracting growing attention from institutional and individual investors building impact portfolios. Charting the path to scale, including policy considerations, creative financing models, and preserving impact at exit, is a challenge that is perfect for the SOCAP community.

Entrepreneurs

In addition to SOCAP scholarships for up to 150 entrepreneurs, at SOCAP14 we will continue to host the Impact Accelerator program, curated specifically for our scholarship entrepreneurs. We are partnering to provide an extended community of mentors, peers, coaches and investors interested in supporting entrepreneurs, and to provide opportunities for the SOCAP14 community to see and network with the entrepreneurs.