How can Europe better finance social innovation?

 

The SIMF Social Investment Lab will bring together a carefully selected group of around 30 impact investors, philanthropists, policymakers, entrepreneurs and ecosystem leaders in Lisbon (15–16 October 2026) to explore financing models that bridge the gap between grant funding and impact investment.

While the SIMF Social Investment Lab is an invitation-only event, we want to broaden the conversation and create an opportunity for additional voices to join us.

If you work in social investment, impact investing, philanthropy, public policy, social entrepreneurship, or social innovation, and feel your experience could contribute to the discussions, we encourage you to submit an Expression of Interest.

📍 Lisbon, Portugal 📅 15–16 October 2026

The Social Investment Lab (15 October 9:00 – 16 October 14:00)

​The Social Investment Lab explores financing models that support social innovation – specifically the underserved space between grant funding and impact investment finance, where many social innovations struggle to find the capital to scale.

​Over two days, 30 people – a deliberately small group of impact investors, philanthropists, policy makers, entrepreneurs and others – will examine models already working elsewhere and stress-test ideas in a European context.

​This is the first of three Labs. The goal is a set of financial framework agreements that funders, investors and the European Commission would, in principle, be glad to work through together: a blended capital stack designed to support social innovation.

The RoundTable (16 October, 14:30-19:00)

​This roundtable is a high-level European strategic conversation bringing together funders, investors, philanthropic organisations, policymakers, ecosystem actors and social innovation leaders to explore how Europe can strengthen its financing architecture for mission-oriented social innovation. The event will be followed by networking drinks.

Attending

​Attendance is free, funded by the Social Innovation Mission Facility (SIMF).

Interested? Please submit your Expression of Interest as soon as possible.

As places are limited, participation cannot be guaranteed. Selected applicants will be informed by mid-September whether they have been offered a place.

We look forward to welcoming a diverse group of participants who are committed to shaping the future of social investment in Europe.