Impact Investing in Switzerland: how to unite return and impact

Impact investing means not only earning a financial return with your money, but also creating a positive, measurable impact on the environment and society. In Switzerland, this approach is gaining popularity—among wealthy individuals, foundations, pension funds and digital providers such as Alpian. Today's investors want more than good figures: they want their values to be put into action.

In this article, you’ll learn how impact investing works, why it goes beyond "green investing", how impact is measured, and how you can get started concretely in Switzerland.

Impact Investing vs ESG: what’s the difference?

Impact investing pursues a dual goal: financial return and measurable impact. It’s not enough to exclude harmful companies—the idea is to direct capital towards where it will make a real difference.

By contrast, ESG (environmental, social, governance) investments focus on a company's behaviour, not its outcomes. ESG funds often select the “best in class” and emphasise sustainable practices—but they don’t necessarily support concrete social or ecological solutions.

As Amandine Soudeille, Associate Portfolio Manager at Alpian, explains:

In short, ESG shows how a company operates, whereas impact investing asks what it actually achieves.

How is impact measured?

Measuring impact is complex—but not impossible. Katia Coudray, former CEO of Asteria Investment Managers, notes: "Impact is more than a score. What matters is how many tonnes of CO₂ are avoided, how much green energy is generated, or how much water is purified."

Two common approaches are:

1. Top‑down: focusing on companies whose core products address issues—such as renewable energy or microfinance.

2. Bottom‑up: evaluating the real-world impact of companies, even if that's not their primary aim.

You also need to compare it to a baseline: what would have happened without the investment? Only then can you capture the true value generated.

But it isn’t without challenges:

1. Data availability: not all companies report impact figures

2. Comparability: methodologies differ, making cross‑comparison difficult

That’s why structured frameworks, such as the People & Planet Ratio developed by Alpian and Asteria, are essential.

Concrete examples of impact investing

Impact investing can span multiple asset classes:

• Green bonds: earmarked for environmental projects

• Microfinance funds: supporting entrepreneurs in developing countries

• Impact equity funds: investing in companies aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• Crowdlending platforms (e.g., Swisspeers): financing SMEs with clear SDG alignment

• Foundations and mission investing: philanthropic capital directed with impact objectives

This diversity lets you tailor your involvement to your goals, budget and risk tolerance.

Why is impact investing booming in Switzerland?

Switzerland is becoming Europe’s leading hub for impact investing. This trend is driven by:

1. A shift in investor values
   Especially among younger generations, many want to do more than just invest—they want to make a difference.

2. Strong performance
   Studies—including one from the University of Basel—show impact investments can match or beat market returns.

3. Swiss as a global impact hub
   With firms like BlueOrchard, responsAbility and Symbiotics headquartered here, Swiss impact assets have grown from CHF 10.5 billion to CHF 180 billion in a decade

4. Regulation and transparency
   EU disclosure rules and cantonal fiscal incentives increase trust in the sector.

Opportunities and risks in impact investing

As with any investment strategy, impact investing also has specific advantages and disadvantages. An honest assessment helps investors to develop realistic expectations and make informed decisions.

Opportunities:

• Dual returns: financial gain plus social or environmental benefit

• Personal alignment: invest in causes that matter to you

• Diversification: may be less correlated with traditional markets

• Future‑focused: companies are solving global challenges

Risks:

• Impact washing: claims may not match results

• Data complexity: varying methodologies and lack of reporting

• Lower liquidity: especially in private or thematic funds

• Project failure: individual initiatives may fall short of goals

Looking for expert investment advice? Schedule your free session with a wealth advisor today.

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Impact investing in Switzerland: how to get started

1. Define your personal goals

What do you want your money to achieve—climate protection, inclusion, education? What is the minimum return you expect? And what is your personal risk tolerance?

These questions will help you choose a strategy that reflects both your values and your financial situation.

An investor profile can provide crucial guidance. It helps determine how to balance return, risk and impact in order to build a portfolio that not only performs, but also aligns with your convictions. At Alpian, this profile is the first step in digital wealth management and forms the basis of every impact-driven investment strategy.

2. Gather information

Read reports, ask questions about how impact is measured, look out for quality labels (such as GIIN or FNG) and take advantage of digital tools like those offered by Alpian.

3. Select suitable investment formats

• Funds or ETFs with an impact focus

• Crowdlending platforms for direct influence

• Bank mandates with a sustainable orientation

• Custom portfolios via digital providers

4. Start small and observe the impact

Begin with a manageable amount and develop your portfolio over time. What matters most: track both the financial and social outcomes of your investments.

Is impact investing right for me?

If you want your money to make a difference, then yes. Impact investing is a good fit if you:

• Think long-term

• Have clear values

• Want to combine impact with returns

• Are open to new investment formats

Getting started is easy—and the impact is measurable.

How exactly does Alpian support impact investing?

Together with Asteria Investment Managers, Alpian has developed a new metric: the People & Planet Ratio. This ratio shows how strongly your portfolio creates positive impact—relative to its financial risk and expected return.

With this tool, impact isn’t estimated—it’s measured and clearly communicated.

Your benefits:

• Transparency in both impact and performance

• Alignment with your personal values

• Professional management using the latest tools

Conclusion: combining returns and impact

Impact investing brings together two forces long seen as opposites: financial success and societal progress. It proves that capital can grow—and do good—when consciously directed. Switzerland offers ideal conditions for this: a forward-thinking financial ecosystem, committed players, and growing awareness among investors.

Alpian investment solutions provide the tools to align impact, risk and return. The People & Planet Ratio serves as a compass to guide your decisions. But the most important step is yours: decide how much impact you want your money to have. Because meaningful investing isn’t a contradiction to performance—it’s a conscious choice.