Voices of CGS: Jacques-Philippe Piverger
An Interview with GoodLight Founder & Managing Partner Jacques-Philippe Piverger on the Future of Finance
To build a regenerative future, we must fundamentally change how we approach finance and business practices.
This requires a commitment to long-term vision, where the focus shifts away from short-term gains and towards investing in sustainable practices that rebuild and support resources. With such a commitment, we can create financial opportunities that benefit both communities and the bottom line.
This holistic approach to doing business redefines success, emphasizing not just immediate financial returns but also the long-term health and prosperity of communities. It involves collaborating with local organizations to develop a finance model that supports sustainable growth and empowers communities. Through these efforts, the finance industry can foster innovative solutions to challenges, co-creating a future where financial success and community well-being are closely aligned.
At the Common Ground Summit, the collective knowledge of our community drives the programming. This means that attendees have the opportunity to learn more about what it takes to invest in and build a more regenerative future from those who are leading the way, like Jacques-Philippe Piverger, Founder & Managing Partner of GoodLight Capital.
As we prepare for another year, we are excited to share some of Jacques-Philippe’s insights on the future of finance and what he’s learned from his experiences at the Common Ground Summit.
Can you tell us a little bit about GoodLight Capital and how your commitment to investing in diverse founders and companies aligns with your mission of building a more regenerative future?
At GoodLight Capital, we're dedicated to investing in diverse founders who are tackling global challenges head-on. Our mission is rooted in fostering sustainability and inclusivity, making sure every investment contributes to building a more regenerative future. We are also excited about the fact that our approach aligns with scalable, top financial performance. Solving human needs, and diversity of thought correlate highly to outperformance while decreasing risk.
Initiatives like the Common Ground Summit are pivotal for us. They provide a platform to amplify our commitment to diversity and sustainability through collaboration and shared insights with like-minded individuals and organizations. At the core of GoodLight is the power of the collective to drive optimal outcomes. I believe this is also the Common Ground ethos!
Could you share a case study or example of a portfolio company that exemplifies GoodLight Capital’s approach to fostering diversity and sustainability?
One exemplary portfolio company that embodies GoodLight Capital's commitment to diversity and sustainability is female-founded Rasa Legal. Rasa secured a $150,000 grant from the American Heart Association Social Impact Funds, enabling them to develop a new partnership platform with employers and non-profit organizations. This initiative not only enhances access to legal services but also promotes social impact by addressing community health and wellness needs.
Supporting Rasa Legal posed unique challenges, particularly in navigating regulatory landscapes and forging partnerships that align with their mission. However, these challenges were outweighed by significant successes, such as their partnership with Davis Tech, offering free access to their expungement eligibility tool for students—a crucial step in empowering individuals with legal knowledge and support.
Rasa Legal's journey underscores our belief that investing in diverse founders who innovate for social good yields profound impacts on communities and industries alike.
Their success inspires us to continue championing ventures that prioritize diversity, sustainability, and meaningful social change.
Given the evolving landscape of impact investing, what trends or shifts have you observed in the market for diverse founders and regenerative enterprises?
We're witnessing a significant shift towards recognizing the pivotal role of diverse founders and regenerative enterprises in impact investing. GoodLight Capital continually refines its strategy to align with these trends, ensuring we remain agile and responsive to emerging opportunities in the market. There are reactionary forces that are attempting to turn back the tide, but this is not representative of the vast majority of people or the future as represented by the youth.
This is an exciting time to be involved in this work!
Beyond your work with Goodlight, what lights you up? What other passions are you bringing to the Summit?
I am an excitable person who loves every aspect of life. I have a good friend who has described me as “eating every morsel of life with fervor!” I think she is right.
A recent activity that my lovely Anne-Christin and I are sharing more is our Mindful Arts work. We have combined our lifelong mindfulness-oriented pursuits in order to help people go inside of themselves to find fulfillment instead of constantly externally seeking. You can learn more about the movement here.
Over the next decade we will share the Mindful Arts with at last 1 billion people in order to help decrease conflict worldwide. The specific target demographic are the uber-wealthy and uber-poor, as they tend to spend the least time on inner work and therefore can benefit the most.
We have shared The Mindful Arts with the Common Ground community previously and we look forward to continuing to grow with this beautiful tribe of heart-centered leaders.
What was the experience of the Summit like? Were any unique collaborations seeded or relationships formed?
The Summit was perfect. It has become a key part of our year to go to a place in the world where we can be still, in a breathtaking setting, eat clean and well, and collaborate with beautiful humans.
Last year, I wasn’t seeking anything specific, but I came away with so much of what I/we needed, including but not limited to a new Principal to help lead our fund, a substantial investment in our firm, and some lifelong friendships.
If the experience were typified by a known advertising campaign, it would be the MasterCard “Priceless” campaign!
Having attended both years of the Summit, what notable changes or transformations did you observe between the two events? What keeps bringing you back?
The ethos of the Summit has been consistently steeped in the application of regeneration to all that we do. From year to year the level of focus by the Common Ground team has continued to evolve. Tangible projects are being realized. Team members are more aware of exactly how to deliver on the promise of the vision created by Oliver and Constanze.
I keep returning for two primary reasons. First, it is a special place for Anne-Christin and me. Second, the people who convene at Common Ground make me feel good in the parlance of the late, great Maya Angelou.
How does the Summit community enrich your work, your experiences? How has it changed your perspectives?
The Summit community enriches my work and experiences by providing diverse insights and perspectives on sustainability and impact investing. It challenges and expands our collective vision for a more inclusive and sustainable future. It also creates a broad base that we can add to and leave our mark.
It is a “safe” proving ground for rapidly testing and optimizing activities as one scales.
What does it mean to you to be “In Community with Place”?
"In Community with Place" resonates deeply with me. It's about honoring and stewarding the environments where we live and work, ensuring our actions reflect a commitment to sustainability and community well-being.
I was born in NYC and have been there for the bulk of my professional career. That said, growing up I spent every summer and substantial time afterward in Haiti. Going to Common Ground in Kauai brings me back to the vibration of the tropics.
I didn’t realize how important it was to actively touch home, and Common Ground has served that purpose.
What is your vision for your community?
Looking ahead, my vision for our community is one of resilience, collaboration, and shared prosperity—a place where diversity thrives, innovations flourish, and regenerative practices shape our collective future. My long-term vision sees a complete merger of all our communities.
A future where it is impossible to see where one community ends and the next begins.
Common Ground Summit is an immersive gathering designed to change the way you approach connection to place. Join us and Jannes for a 3-day regenerative leadership summit featuring curated conversations, authentic experiences, ridiculously good food and meaningful relationships.
