Uli Grabenwarter, European Investment Fund

Uli Grabenwarter Uli Grabenwarter is Deputy Director - Equity Investments at European Investment Fund (EIF). In this capacity he oversees EIF’s activities in Impact Investing, Technology Transfer and Venture Capital, with EIF being Europe’s biggest Fund-of-Funds Investment platform in that space. Previously he was responsible for EIF’s strategic development in the equity space and in this context has led the build-up of the Social Impact Accelerator, the first pan-European social impact investing fund-of-funds. From 2010 to 2012 he conducted a 20 months research project on impact investing in collaboration with IESE University of Navarra in Barcelona and the Family Office Circle Foundation based in Switzerland, analysing best-market-practices for impact investing in the private equity and venture capital space. He is a visiting Professor for Private Equity and Venture Capital at IESE University. He regularly publishes articles and white papers on venture capital and impact investing. Uli is also chair of the European Impact Investing Luxembourg think-tank platform (www.eill.lu) and member of several expert groups on impact investing and impact metrics across Europe. Uli holds a Master’s degree in Business and Finance of the University of Graz.
09.45 - 10.05

From ESG to solution-driven finance: Impact investing in response to societal challenges

Impact investing is resounding throughout the world as the new virtue in finance. Whilst market players are jostling for a place in the spotlight of this new trend, the question of substance remains: can capital respond to the call for impact to lead our society to sustainability – and how can we reconfigure our mindset to get there?


10.35 - 11.20

Sustainable finance: actions speak louder than words

The European Commission is picking up speed on the implementation of the EU Action Plan on Financing Sustainable Growth. First concrete regulatory proposals were published in May and have made good progress since. Further items are in the pipeline, with experts appointed to work out the technical details and industry consultations circulating… As sustainable finance is becoming a reality in the EU, asset managers are getting ready to lead the way.


11.20 - 12.05

There is so much we can do: case studies of ESG approaches

The spectrum of ‘sustainable’ investment funds is as large, innovative as diversified. From exclusion to positive impact, what are sustainable investment funds really doing? Are they contributing towards a better world? Asset managers tell their – fascinating – stories from the field.


13.55 - 14.15

Keynote: Economic outlook

How much time do we have left before the next global recession? This session will examine a number of macroeconomic and financial indicators in order to assess the risks around the current economic outlook.


14.15 - 14.45

Active vs passive portfolio management: a battle?

As economies pass from bullish to bearish, how is the approach to portfolio management impacted? In the rivalling active vs passive business models, a downturn might change the equation. Witness advocates of each approach battle it out during this exciting session.


14.45 - 15.25

M&A trends in the management company industry

Luxembourg is currently experiencing unprecedented levels of M&A activity, reshaping the management company landscape. What are the drivers behind these transactions? Is increasing regulation an important M&A trigger? Are the transactions fulfilling their promises? What trend do we expect going forward? Our experts will share their views and past experiences to answers those critical questions for the future of the industry.


15.55 - 16.15

New AML/CFT obligations and their practical consequences for the AM industry

As a diligent manager, AML and CFT requirements are always very high up on the agenda. But what do the recent international, European and local regulatory developments mean in practice? This session will provide useful information on how to develop an appropriate risk-based approach and what elements of the regulations to focus on in particular.


16.15 - 16.35

ESMA's priorities for the asset management community


Also speaking at