SOCAP Chicago: Why the right room changes everything
Why it matters: Social impact works best when the whole ecosystem is in the same room, and SOCAP last week in Chicago was worth the trip.
The mix was the point. The conference was well curated, with learning sessions, panels, and lots of real networking time. New York and Silicon Valley impact investors, family office reps, major (and smaller) foundations, nonprofits across a wide range of causes, social impact for-profits, B Corps, and the organizations who support them all were together in one place.
The conversations went deep. People were friendly - but more than that, the discussions were detailed and nitty-gritty everywhere I turned.
The people made it. I connected with leaders from the Midwest, the African continent, the East Coast, and California. Hearing what each is building, and where they see gaps, showed both how similar and how different the work looks depending on where you sit.
The bottom line: Progress in this sector comes from capital, practitioners, and enablers working on the same problems together. It was my first time at SOCAP but it won't be my last!
What's next: I'm following up with several of the folks I met, and I'm looking for ways to help move the sector forward together.
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