American Cancer Society’s BrightEdge venture fund hoping to do well by doing good

BrightEdge Ventures, the venture fund of the American Cancer Society, is using the society’s reputation and resources to open doors to late-stage investment opportunities.

While BrightEdge has persuaded companies that it brings value to board rooms, it has struggled to find takers for a model of donating towards investment-based, profit-seeking businesses. BrightEdge is considering a shift from this form of venture philanthropy to an impact investment model in which donors can earn returns if the fund’s investments are successful...