Financing Futures: How ISAs are Advancing Equity and Economic Mobility in Education

Join us for an action-oriented conversation at SOCAP Open as we explore the transformative potential of Income Share Agreements (ISAs) to expand educational access and fuel global economic mobility. At its core, an ISA is more than just financing—it’s a shared promise: that education is an investment worth making, and that no student should be burdened by unmanageable debt or limited by their background. By aligning the cost of education with future income, ISAs unlock pathways to upward mobility, enabling students to pursue careers based on passion and potential, not the ability to pay upfront.

This session brings together leaders from Malengo, Quotanda, and the Global ISA Alliance—with perspectives spanning Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the United States—to examine how ISAs are opening doors, particularly for women and marginalized communities.
At a pivotal moment for the ISA ecosystem, we’ll dive into how this flexible, outcomes-based financing model empowers students to pursue higher education and skills training without the burden of traditional debt. From Malengo’s model supporting African students to study in Europe (an impact study documents that Malengo increases average yearly income for participants by 1,563% compared to their best alternative in Uganda, with an internal rate of return of 20.87% over 10 years), to Quotanda’s technology platform scaling ISA programs worldwide, and the Global ISA Alliance’s efforts to build industry standards that protect students—this session highlights the growing momentum around ISAs as a tool for equitable impact.

Global studies show that closing gender gaps in labor force participation could boost GDP per capita by 20%. ISAs offer a scalable solution to help achieve this vision—reducing inequality, unlocking human potential, and driving sustainable economic growth.

Through collaborative discussion, we’ll explore the systemic change ISAs can catalyze—bridging wealth gaps, aligning incentives around success, and creating pathways to opportunity. Together, we’ll reimagine a future where talent—not income—determines who thrives.