Episode 014 SPECIAL EDITION – Investing in Human Capital

DISTILLING VENTURE CAPITAL

Episode 014 SPECIAL EDITION – Investing in Human Capital
Projeto Sol, São Paulo, Brasil
Sister Angela Mary, Co-Founder, Director

Recording Date: February 24, 2021

Introduction

• Welcome to Distilling Venture Capital.  I am your host, Bill Griesinger;

Distilling VC is a visionary podcast that provides an insightful and informed view of the key trends affecting the VC and tech startup world.  

Episode Introduction:

• Welcome back everyone.   So, as many of you know, this podcast covers multiple aspects of key technology trends, including Fintech, and venture capital and I even talk about over-valued Unicorns at times.
• Today, however, we are going to change things up a bit – b/c I want to talk about a different type of Capital that’s just as important or likely more important than the financial capital we often discuss…  Today, I want to talk about Human Capital – what do I mean by that?  
• As many of you know, There is an entire area, Social Impact Investing, that has been a rapidly growing trend for maybe the last 5-7 years, or more.  Impact investments are made with the intention to generate positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return. 
• But today, We’ll discuss Human Capital through telling the incredible story of a very special place, known as Projeto Sol, or Project Sun or Sun Project, if you prefer.  It is located in an area of São Paulo, Brazil known as Cidade (City) Dutra in Favela Vinte.  And let me just start by saying, It has literally transformed the lives of thousands of individuals and an entire community.   It is a beacon of hope in an otherwise hopeless place…We’ll get into that.
• Projeto Sol has served the Brazilian community of Cidade Dutra for four decades. In 1978 Sister Angela Mary and Louis Carlos dos Santos converted a wood shack into a social centre for youth, known today as Projeto Sol – a pivotal organisation that has transformed a community long marked by drug trafficking, gang wars and police violence.
• Sister Angela hoped that through education, she can offer them a life beyond the confines of poverty and exclusion.
• Beyond education, Sister Angela has also helped residents legalise the ownership of their property while reforming & building 95 houses.
• So, We can say Projeto Sol is truly a family owned and operated business – but it’s in the business of changing lives and instilling basic human dignity
• Projeto Sol serves 250 children daily within its walls, from 5 – 17 years of age, providing two meals per day – a full breakfast and lunch.  It provides all the materials and facilities for classes in art, dance, theatre and sports.  
• And, it instills a discipline and attitude of self-worth and self-responsibility through education. 
• That’s a mere, brief summary of the Social Impact that Projeto Sol has had on the community
• To help me tell this amazing & powerful story of positive Social Impact I have the pleasure of introducing one of the most incredible people I know, Sister Angela Mary…who is from the Sisters of the Holy Cross, South Bend, Indiana
• Sister Angela, thank you very