Insight

Impact Investment: Capital with Purpose and Substance

For our clients, investing wealth means more than financial return. Impact investing combines the strategic allocation of private wealth with the aim of achieving measurably positive effects on the environment and society – without forgoing economic efficiency.

Impact that can be measured

Unlike classic ESG investments, where exclusion criteria often apply alone, impact investing takes an active approach: capital flows in a targeted way into companies, funds or projects with clearly defined, sustainable objectives – for example in renewable energy, social infrastructure or education.

Three pillars of impact investing

• Intention: A conscious decision to deploy wealth for concrete societal or ecological goals

• Measurability: Clear traceability of impact using defined KPIs

• Return: A balanced relationship between financial performance and social added value

Impact investing: our approach at Liesner & Co.

As an independent family office, Liesner & Co. accompanies wealthy families in deploying their capital responsibly and with a view to the future. Impact investments can be integrated across asset classes into overall wealth planning – tailored and values-based.

Investing sustainably: steering wealth with a long view

Sustainability is not a fashion topic – it is an essential part of long-term wealth steering. Our clients see sustainable investments as a way to preserve values while acting responsibly.

Sustainability as an investment strategy

Investing sustainably means directing capital flows so that, alongside economic criteria, environmental, social and ethical criteria are also considered. Depending on preference, companies with strong ESG profiles are selected in a targeted way, or certain sectors (e.g. fossil fuels, the arms industry) are consistently excluded.

Advantages of sustainable capital investments

• Future viability: Companies with responsible corporate governance are more resilient to regulatory and societal change

• Performance: Numerous studies show that sustainable investments can, over the long term, match or outperform classic investments

Sustainability in thinking and action

At Liesner & Co, sustainability is an integral part of the corporate identity – not only in advice, but in daily operations: from the use of renewable energy and CO₂ offsetting to support for non-profit initiatives and foundations. Our clients benefit from a holistic approach that brings ethical values and economic efficiency into alignment.

Conclusion

Impact investing and sustainable capital investments enable our clients to take on responsibility – without forgoing excellence in wealth structuring. As a family office with a clear values compass, we accompany you on the path to a future-ready wealth strategy.

Frequently asked questions and useful information on impact investment

ESG investing considers environmental, social and governance criteria in the investment decision, but often remains passive. Impact investing goes a step further: it invests in a targeted way in projects with demonstrably positive impact – social and ecological.

No. Impact investments can achieve market-level or even above-average returns – depending on the segment and the strategy chosen. They aim at a double dividend: performance and impact.

For long-term-oriented clients who, alongside preserving and growing their wealth, also want to contribute to addressing societal challenges – in particular families, foundations and next gens.

Using clearly defined “impact KPIs”, for example CO₂ savings, number of jobs created or access to clean water. Serious providers document impact transparently and according to recognised standards (e.g. IRIS+, GIIN).

Frequent sectors are renewable energy, education, health, microfinance, social housing, sustainable agriculture or digital inclusion.

That depends on the vehicle. Exchange-traded impact funds offer high liquidity, while direct investments in start-ups or infrastructure can be tied up for the long term. Liesner & Co reviews individually how they fit the liquidity strategy of the overall wealth.

In principle yes – for example via thematic funds. In a family-office context, however, impact investing is usually embedded strategically in overall wealth planning and aligned with individual goals.

Through careful selection, due diligence and ongoing monitoring. We work exclusively with partners who can evidence their impact in a transparent and traceable way.

Rapidly: according to the GIIN (Global Impact Investing Network), the market is growing at a double-digit rate each year. Demand from wealthy families and institutional investors in particular is driving this development.

Because it makes it possible to think of values and capital together – across generations. For many entrepreneurial families, the vision of values-based, future-ready investing thus becomes a reality.

Impact investment: get in touch.

Would you like to invest sustainably? We look forward to hearing from you.

Eric M. Balzer, Partner office@liesner.co +49 40 822 124 700