Deepening Connections, Activating Shared Learning, Sparking Collaborations
“Transactional relationships no longer suffice. Investors are recognizing that deep alignment on outcomes, timelines, and lived values is critical to both performance and impact integrity. The next era of impact investing requires more than capital deployment. It demands partnership, including participation beyond the current cast of players. We need more people, companies, and governments meaningfully engaged.” — Sarah Sterling, Executive Director of Programming and Convening
This year, more than ever, SOCAP is focusing on meaningful connections. Our SOCAP25 Theme, “The Future Is Collaborative: Taking Impact Mainstream,” sets the stage for a new shape to the event’s agenda and programming. The SOCAP conference, taking place from October 27 to 29, 2025, in downtown San Francisco, is intentionally organized to facilitate the collaborative relationship-building that is needed for us to move impact into the mainstream.
“We believe we can lay a foundation for the transformative movement of capital when we can bring the entire spectrum of impact — entrepreneurs, nonprofits, LPs, GPs, foundations, and more — together in a space designed not for extraction but for connection,” says Sarah. “We are building a community where attendees leave not just with contacts but with clarity, purpose, and relationships that carry forward into the kind of collaboration the world urgently needs.”
SOCAP25 Programming: Designed for Peer-Driven Relationship-Building
SOCAP25 will be three days of timely and relevant sessions, cross-sector collaboration and relationship activation, and bold ideas to take impact mainstream. Here’s a snapshot of the new design for our agenda:
Day 1: Capital Connections Day. This year marks a pivotal evolution in SOCAP’s 17-year journey, as we reimagine the start of our gathering with the launch of Capital Connections Day. We invite attendees to start with meaningful conversations that can build toward collaborative change. Too often, we hear of people attending events filled with big ideas and promising contacts, but leaving without real momentum. This day is about creating a shared space where changemakers can engage openly, build trust, and explore how their unique contributions intersect to advance a more just and regenerative economy. The sessions planned include:
- Philanthropy Networking with Toniic & C3
- Entrepreneur Support Organization Networking with Bridge for Billions
- The Miller Center for Global Impact and Cartier Women’s Initiative Entrepreneur Showcases
- Inclusive Capital Exchange (ICX) LP <> GP Networking Session
- Indigenous Fund Managers and Entrepreneurs Connection Circle
We will once again offer a dedicated matchmaking service for attendees, powered by Impact Capital Exchange (ICX), that culminates in an LP <> GP Networking Session on Day One. This platform enables LPs and GPs to identify alignment based on investment thesis, impact strategy, and stage of capital — and most importantly, it ensures follow-through. ICX creates mutual accountability: LPs who express interest are expected to engage meaningfully, creating a clear feedback loop and setting a new standard for transparency and responsiveness. Learn more and join the ICX matchmaking service here (register for SOCAP25 first if you haven’t yet!).
Day 2: Deep Dives & Innovation. We will kick off with powerful “State of the Field” sessions from each of the content tracks, offering key insights and setting the stage for two days of deep engagement. Attendees will take part in thought-provoking panels, interactive workshops, and curated networking designed to spark innovation, collaboration, and meaningful action. We are bringing a new format, “Solve-It” sessions, to the event to support these goals (a solve-It session is a focused, collaborative meeting where individuals come together to address and create potential solutions to a specific problem or challenge). For example, attendees can participate in a Siegel Family Foundation-led Solve-It session answering a question about the role of technology in impact. This underscores another design of our agenda: We are weaving the role of technology, DEI, and impact measurement as underlying themes throughout all of the tracks. We also have Indigenous speakers and perspectives represented across the agenda at SOCAP this year.
Day 3: Collaboration & Lasting Impact. Our final day centers around collaboration, commitment, and carrying the work forward. We will build on the momentum of the week, turning inspiration into action and fostering the continuity needed to drive lasting change. Through high-impact thought leadership sessions, engaging discussions, and closing moments of reflection and commitment, participants will solidify partnerships, crystallize ideas, and leave energized to shape a more just and regenerative future.
Highlights of SOCAP25’s Community-First, Human-Centered Format
We believe SOCAP25 will support catalytic deal flow through activating relationships that start at the human-to-human level. Below are several of the format and schedule features attendees can expect:
- We have consolidated our campus to the Contemporary Jewish Museum for sessions and a “Networking Hub” at City View in the Metreon. This year’s setup will ensure attendees have ample opportunities to meet the “valuable strangers” SOCAP is known for.
- Attendees will enjoy two-hour lunch breaks each day with the opportunity to engage in networking sessions, maximizing time for connection and downtime.
- We are ending the event earlier than in previous years to encourage more time for informal networking, reflection, and local exploration with your new-found SOCAP friends and partners.
- A Walking Tour of Filipino Culture in San Francisco will take place on Tuesday, honoring our host community and creating a deeper sense of place. This was an idea submitted and selected through the SOCAP Open process, along with these incredible sessions.
