Fika with impact network CEO Alessa Berg: “We want to scale capital and talent”

What does Top Tier Impact (TTI) do, in a nutshell?

"It’s a global ecosystem and our mission is to take impact investing and sustainability investing into the mainstream. We have a network that has members from 50 countries and we run events in person and online every week - topics from climate deep tech to regenerative agriculture. We also have an investment advisory and consulting side of the business, and we work with corporates on implementing sustainability measures."

It’s a private network – how does someone get invited? Does it cost anything to join?

"Our TTI members are investors, entrepreneurs and professionals working in impact, or – importantly – people thinking about moving into impact and sustainability. You can apply on our website but we actually interview every single applicant. It is very important to have a mutual fit because the culture of our members is very strong. They support each other a lot. TTI has a fee of $490/year."

What’s been your favourite Top Tier Impact event this year?

"Our World Economic Forum event in Davos. We were on top of a mountain with beautiful views across the mountains, and we covered really meaningful topics with people who are driving real change."

Which other impact events should investors have in their calendars in 2025 and 2026?

"London Climate Action week, which is coming up on 21st-29th June. Top Tier Impact has a full day of events planned on June 24th. Then, Brazil for COP 30 in November will be a very strong meeting point."

In your view, which impact sectors are struggling most in 2025 – and which are thriving?

"Climate tech is having a hard time for various different reasons including macro politics and also the performance of companies and the time horizon that it takes for companies to actually prove they can be successful. This is also why it is hard for climate tech investors to raise second funds. On the positive side there is a lot of exciting stuff happening with regenerative agriculture that both investors and farmers are benefiting from."

What’s the biggest misconception people outside the impact world have about your job?

"Many people think impact is something between philanthropy and investing, or between non-profit and for-profit, which is a big misconception. We invest in impact-for-profit businesses because we want to scale the amount of capital and talent in this space. A lot of the biggest investment opportunities and company-building opportunities are in impact."

You’re originally from Switzerland, lived in London for ten years and are now based in Lisbon. Why have you picked Portugal as your base?

"I studied and worked in the UK for ten years, and London became my second home: I love the diversity of backgrounds and nationalities, sectors and ideas. I moved to Lisbon because I love the combination of easy-to-access nature with ocean and forests, yet also a vibrant international community in the city. I still go to London about once a month."

If you had a billboard in central London for two hours, what would you use it for?

"I love this question! I would use it to highlight the value of nature. We can make change through a combination of policies and investments – and also people just asking for it and being willing to reform the system that has created many of the problems we have today, like pollution and climate change."

It’s Friday – how do you usually unwind after a packed week?

"It depends on the weekend, but I like to see friends, I like to do yoga – and I often go dancing!"

And finally, what’s your ideal fika?

"Matcha latte!"