The ‘Impact Minds: Beyond Frontiers’ event, held annually by Latimpacto, took place this year from September 9th to 12th. Guilherme Sylos, Director of Prospecting and Partnerships at IDIS, attended the event along with 70 other Brazilian participants. The event was hosted in Oaxaca, Mexico, where approximately 650 impact investors from 36 countries gathered.

The event focused on several key themes aimed at reflecting on the gaps that Latin America faces in relation to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Over the course of the three-day meeting, discussions covered various important topics, including the role of businesses and high-net-worth families in generating greater positive socio-environmental impact, the systemic changes in today’s world, and how to tackle the challenges posed by the current global scenario. Additionally, the event explored the value of philanthropy in assuming more risks and diversifying portfolios, as well as cross-cutting themes like climate action, education, innovative finance, and blended finance.

In addition to lectures and roundtable discussions, participants also had the opportunity to join eleven learning visits to local communities and territories, accompanied by local actors such as the Oaxaca Community Foundation and the Secretariat of Economic Development.

One of the key highlights of the event was the presentation of significant initiatives led by Latimpacto, including the launch of the STEM Fund. This pioneering fund was created in partnership with Lenovo and Doug Miller, the founder of Latimpacto. Based on a successful collaborative philanthropy model led by AVPN, the STEM Fund aims to expand access to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education for marginalized students in both Mexico and Brazil.