Fourfold at Building Bridges 2025: Transforming ideas into investable solutions

At this year’s Building Bridges conference, Fourfold took part in an exchange among funders to drive home the importance of patient capital for social innovation and shifting impact ventures from concept to action.

Impact ventures are vital for addressing systemic challenges—from climate resilience to inclusive economies. Building them requires collaboration across foundations, investors, and entrepreneurial teams. In a panel discussion, Fourfold’s CEO Valerie Remoquillo-Jenni joined a panel with Amanda Turner Ege (Executive Director, elea), Patrick Elmer (Founder and CEO, iGravity), Laura Hemrika (CEO, Julius Baer Foundation) and Dieuwertje Nelissen (Executive Director, Enviu) to explore “building early-stage ventures from ideation to investability”.

The panelists agreed that among the biggest hurdles for impact start-ups is the “valley of death”, the gap between proving an idea and scaling it. Ventures often find themselves too commercial for philanthropy yet not commercial enough for investors. Grants provide patient capital that safeguards mission integrity, while early investments accelerate growth. Striking the right balance is key to long-term success.

Financial backing alone isn’t enough. An entrepreneurial team is crucial for investability, balancing perseverance with the ability to ask for help and learn, addressing both business and impact goals, and executing while providing clear direction.

A link to the full article with insights on the journey for impact ventures can be found here.