Hello Impact Nation,

Remember The Matrix?

We are talking about the awesome 1999 science fiction movie, not the (average at best) sequels.

Well, The Matrix is an example of Metaverse.

And Metaverse was one of the two most asked topics by you – Impact Nation – during Expanse 2022, the global summit for impact investing in tech.

“Metaverse will kill the environment because of its high energy consumption.”
Oh, wait! “Metaverse will save the environment because we can meet online and reduce transport CO2 emissions.”

Nobody seems to agree on anything, with just one exception:

Metaverse is ALREADY making an impact on ESGs.

Is it a bad or a good impact? Let’s dive in!

This Week We Are Diving Into:

1. Metaverse & ESGs – Where we are (And what is changing)
2. Good Gossip
3. News & Opportunities
4. Coming Soon: Interview with Monique Jeanne Morrow

Elisa,
The Impact Lady

Metaverse & ESGs – Where we are (And what is changing)

Metaverse is a network of 3D virtual worlds focused on social connection.
– Wikipedia

If we think of a mobile phone as placing a computer in our pocket and ... being available at all times, think of the metaverse as always being WITHIN a computer and inside the internet.
– Mathew Ball, venture capitalist

A $1.6 trillion industry

Nobody seems to agree on anything on the Metaverse, not even the market valuation (as it always happens with new markets.)

Yet, it will be huge.

The 3 Ages of the Internet (From email to Metaverse)

The Age of Writing: When the internet and computing first emerged, all interactions were primarily text-based (emails, messages, usernames, email addresses).

The Age of Video: Then interactions slowly became more media-based (photos, videos, live streams).

The Age of Diving: “The next elevation of user interface and user experience is into 3D. If we think of a mobile phone as placing a computer in our pocket and the internet being available at all times, think of the metaverse as always being within a computer and inside the internet.”

The name of the Ages is ours – blame us if you don’t agree.

The credit for the brilliant definitions is entire to Mathew Ball, a venture capitalist and angel investor who has been analyzing the evolution of the Metaverse for many years.

An example of Metaverse competitive landscape

We have stored many competitive analyses and made a few ourselves. Let’s start with one of them. Here is a (partial but effective) image by Influencer Marketing Hub.

Is the Metaverse good or bad for ESGs?

The impact on the environment is the most common pro/con topic. So, let’s move into unconventional discussions.

Quoc Bao Ngo, a Norwegian inventor and founder of MyRealityDAO, endorses the Metaverse and artificial intelligence (AI) to help tackle mental health issues: “In Norway, we have a lot of depressed people. Imagine if they had their own AI friend.”

➔ Metaverse is really good for Social.

On the other side of the coin, Omar Corona, founder of MetaLabs, refuses to buy an Oculus VR for his kids.

If we add virtual reality to a game – says Corona – it becomes “ten times [more addictive]” – “The pitfall [of the metaverse] is people losing the sense of reality.” This is "the dark side of the metaverse".

➔ Metaverse is really bad for Social.

These are just two of the many opposite valuations on the topic.

But be aware!

This time, the truth is NOT in the middle.

In the next newsletter, we will share a few tools for you to decide, or – even better – for you to take action and influence the outcome.

(And great topics of conversation at your next social event – 😎)

Do you have more information?

Are we completely wrong somewhere?

We always love to get your feedback. Just hit the reply button on this email and start a conversation.

Some of the best connections and wealthiest businesses started exactly like that.

It should not be necessary to add any disclaimer but … Let’s say it anyway! This is not financial or tax advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. DYOR - Do Your Own Research!

Good Gossip

Congrats to …

Sonali Siriwardena ↪ has been appointed Global Head of ESG at Simmons & Simmons, the international law firm.
Al Adedayo ↪ has been appointed Partner in the Operations Team for Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) at KPMG, the tax, audit, and advisory services provider.
Natalia Hausjah and Reena Mavjee ↪ have been appointed Senior Account Managers for the Energy, Environment, and ESG team at Sandpiper, the global communications consultancy agency.
Jill Tan and Samuel Tan ↪ have been appointed Senior Account Executive for the Energy, Environment, and ESG team at Sandpiper, the global communications consultancy agency.
Megan Brumagim ↪ has been appointed vice president of ESG at Choice Hotel International Inc., one of the world's largest lodging franchisors.
Crusoe Energy Systems ↪ raised a $350M series C for its low-cost and emissions-reducing platform for high-performance computing. Lead Investor: G2 Venture Partners (G2VP). Other investors: Valor Equity Partners, Lowercarbon Capital, Polychain Capital, Bain Capital Ventures, Founders Fund, MCJ Collective, Winklevoss Capital, Zigg Capital, DRW Venture Capital, Atreides Management, Exor Seeds, CMT Digital, Upper90, Inclusive Capital Partners, Engine No. 1, Tao Capital, Felicis Ventures, Castle Island Ventures, Mitsui & Co., and Robert Downey Jr.’s FootPrint Coalition.
Zenda ↪ raised a $9.4M seed round to streamline school fee payment and management and help parents to pay the tuition fees with flexible repayment structures. Investors included: STV, COTU Ventures, Global Founders Capital, and VentureSouq.
15 winners of the Carbon Removal Xprize ↪ won $1M each, funded by the (Elon) Musk Foundation. Three of them will be awarded up to $50M more if they demonstrate the actual removal of 1,000 tons of carbon. Earth Day 2025 will be the date the top winners are announced. Congrats to the winners: Calcite, Carbyon, Heirloom, Carbfix, Project Hajar, Sustaera, Verdox, Bioeconomy Institute at ISU, Global Algae, NetZero, PlantVillage, Takachar, Captura, Marine Permaculture, Planetary, Carbin Minerals.

News & Opportunities

Mastercard to link all employee bonuses to ESG goals ↪ expanding an earlier program that was limited to its senior executives.

HSBC launches sustainable European-focused ETF ↪ on the London Stock Exchange.

Bank of America’s credit and debit cards will all be made of recycled plastic ↪ The company reports to be the first U.S. based bank to make this commitment across the entire portfolio.

UK financial authority FCA will require listed companies to disclose representation of women and ethnic minorities on their boards and executive management ↪ making it easier for investors to see the diversity of their senior leadership teams.

Bloomberg announced an equity investment in riskthinking.AI ↪ a leading climate financial risk data analytics provider.

Accenture announces its intent to acquire Greenfish ↪ an independent engineering and advisory company specializing in sustainability consultancy services.

🚀 COMING SOON

Top Emerging Technologies For Organizations in 2022 - With Monique Jeanne Morrow, Senior Distinguished Architect at Syniverse

Video interview available from Thursday - Stay tuned

Impact Investing In Tech

How Metaverse Is (Already) Changing ESGs