VC | E479 | Cyril Gouiffès on What It Takes to Be a Real Impact Fund Manager

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9d ago 1:07:09

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In this episode, August Solliv and Douglas Sloan speak with Cyril Gouiffès, Head of Social Impact Investments at the European Investment Fund (EIF), to explore what distinguishes authentic impact fund managers from the growing crowd. From team composition and investment discipline to LP expectations and impact integrity, Cyril shares a candid perspective shaped by years of experience at the intersection of public capital and private markets.
Together, they unpack what EIF looks for when backing emerging impact managers, why team dynamics matter more than ever, and how the market can defend against “impact washing” as the sector matures.
Here’s what’s covered:

01:00 – Why Cyril’s early influences shaped his mission-driven investing lens
04:15 – From altruism to efficacy: lessons from failed NGO models
06:20 – The rise of genuine dual-performance funds post-2014
08:45 – Why team quality is the #1 differentiator in impact VC
17:30 – EIF’s role in supporting first-time, emerging managers
20:10 – Why impact metrics must tie to the business model
23:15 – The dangers of forgetting your impact thesis post-fundraise
26:00 – Impact failures vs. financial failures: lessons learned
28:00 – Why LPs must stay engaged beyond the fundraising stage
33:15 – State of fundraising: too many funds, not enough capital
35:20 – The call for impact pioneers: back to the original thesis

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