What if there was an easier way to connect revolutionary solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges with the capital needed to initiate real change? That’s exactly what the Global Opportunity Explorer sets out to do.
What if there was an easier way to connect revolutionary solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges with the capital needed to initiate real change? That’s exactly what the Global Opportunity Explorer sets out to do.
Developed by Norwegian engineering firm DNV GL, think tank Sustainia and the UN Global Compact, the groundbreaking new tool aims to demonstrate to investors and entrepreneurs alike that environmental and social challenges present a number of unique business opportunities — not just risks.
The Global Opportunity Explorer covers 10 different business areas and is categorized by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within the context of the site, the two work together to help startups and investors find solutions to issues ranging from water scarcity to resilient cities and clean energy.
“More and more businesses are seeing the SDGs as inspiration to create innovative solutions that address some of the world’s biggest challenges,” said Lise Kingo, CEO and Executive Director of UN Global Compact.
Aligning Value Management and Regenerative Practices
Join us as Regenovate co-founders Chris Grantham and Adam Lusby lead an interactive workshop on how to rethink value in the context of regenerative innovation by linking value to the dividends and resilience that come to an organization from enhancing system health — Thurs, May 9, at Brand-Led Culture Change.
“The Global Opportunity Explorer brings all of these solutions into one dynamic place where companies, investors and entrepreneurs can connect and work together to bring these solutions to scale for real impact.”
It outlines 300 different ways organizations can make the world a more fair and sustainable place by 2030, with current solutions ranging from fortified yogurt to combat malnutrition to carbon-positive prefabricated houses and textile dying without water or waste.
The Explorer also highlights 45 markets addressing global risks, such as rising inequality, soil health and lack of fresh water, sharing critical statistics about projected growth, providing investors and entrepreneurs with valuable information that can help guide decision-making.
The tool is constantly evolving, relying on continuous co-creation and crowdsourcing to expand the existing pool of sustainable innovation. Anyone can nominate and contribution solutions through the platform’s submissions page.
And according to Erik Rasmussen, founder and CEO of Sustainia, the site will eventually allow businesses to connect with each other via the platform to form new strategic partnerships.
“We want companies to meet and partner up via the Global Opportunity Explorer. By using the SDGs as a market compass and by honoring the 17th Goal of collaborating and forming partnerships, I firmly believe businesses will have a better chance of creating long-term value that leaves us with a more sustainable world,” Rasmussen said.
Published May 12, 2017 9am EDT / 6am PDT / 2pm BST / 3pm CEST