SMU-Next Gen ESG Conference 2023
2023 is our second year running this Conference and we could not be more pleased with the results!
The SMU-Next Gen ESG Investing (SMU-NGEI) Conference brings together Asia’s savviest Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) investors to share insights and investment ideas to raise awareness for ESG investing and to support the Endowment’s cause of grooming the next generation of responsible investors.
The SMU-NGEI Conference calls for an actionable investment idea that evaluates the materiality of ESG issues and its impact to the company over a long-term investment horizon. The teams came out with a comprehensive ESG scoring metrics for the relevant company chosen and assessed whether it was an investable idea. Such presentation was made in front of the attendees at the final showcase. Our distinguished panel of judges then selected the winning investment idea based on their determination of the most compelling idea with a 36-month horizon.
This year, we received 115 applications across various universities in Singapore, out of which 42% are female and 58% are male.
One thing different about this year's Conference was also the introduction of 2 workshops before the final showcase.
On 29 July 2023, Workshop 1 started off with an insightful sharing session of Next Gen and the Z Club by Tiffany Liu. Next, we had the honour of inviting Deborah Loke, ESG analyst at Nikko Asset Management Group, to share with the participating teams on the ESG research process and how to dissect a sustainability report. Last but not least, we had one of our esteemed judges, Gordon Yeo from Arisaig Partners, who delved into the world of ESG analysis, valuation and integration.
Workshop 2 was offered to the four outstanding finalist teams and the session was led by Lilian Wang, Research Director (Impact & Engagement) at Arisaig Partners. She delved into the importance of stewardship through engagement, emphasizing its essential role in improving ESG management practices and enhancing long-term returns.
The finalists also had a treat as 2022's SMU-NGEI Conference runner ups shared their pitch with the finalists. From left to right, we had Pearline Pang, Jiayi Teo and Sidhaarth Ventakaraman.
And then, we reached the final showcase on 16 September 2023. Here is the list of finalists and the companies they pitched:
Let's give it up for Champions Team Hedgehog, alongside Gordon Yeo, one of the judges. Heartiest congratulations to Ryan Ang (centre) who also won Best Analyst!
Fun fact: Team Hedgehog, on their own initiative, wrote in to the Investor Relations of BIMAS, the company they pitched, to enquire about their ESG related work and findings. We were so impressed with the team's pitch and depth of research that we offered them a fast track to the Z Club's ESG Investing Program - and we are pleased that all of them agreed!
For 1st Runner-up we have The Sustainable Team standing alongside Kenneth Ho, judge and Head of ESG Management and Research at Seatown Holdings International.
We are proud that Kenneth himself posted his warm feedback on the event.
In 2nd Runner-up we have Team Green Gamblers standing alongside Jerry Goh, judge and Investment Manager at abrdn. We are pleased that he also found the event impactful and posted on his LinkedIn as such:
Last but certainly not the least, we have finalist Team Kitty Capital alongside judge Grace Lu, CIO of LyGH Capital.
We cannot forget to thank Dexter Tiah from CFA Society Singapore for being the guest speaker of the day and sharing his insights into ESG investing and his experience taking the Certificate of ESG Investing.
Following the prize presentations, the finalists also had a moment on stage to share reflections on their journey throughout the competition, and also some key takeaways.
To top the morning off, we had to have a celebratory meal and a hearty round of networking with our guests and finalists!
The SMU-NGEI Conference is always a chance not just to increase the awareness of ESG investing and to nurture the next generation of student investors - it is also an opportunity to bring together like-minded investors and professionals in the space.
It is non-exhaustive, but this is the list of guests who have attended the conference cumulatively in 2022 and 2023:
We also could not have made this year's conference happen without the support of SMU Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship, as well as our event partners – SMU Sustainable Investment Club, GoImpact Capital Partners, Arisaig Partners, Inflection Point Intelligence, Maybank Securities and Citywire Asia.
We hope to continue the good work of the SMU-NGEI Conference year on year. It is impactful not only for students and partners, but it also provides an effective platform for students to find potential hirers (internships or jobs), and for companies to find their next talent in the team.
Finally, to sum off this recap, why hear from me when you can hear from the participants themselves? Here are 3 responses from the students. Enjoy!
When my team and I first envisioned the design of the event, something that was close to our hearts was to spread awareness of ESG Investing and empower participants with the essential tools needed for analysis, not just for the competition but for their ongoing journey.
I am truly humbled by the immense reception and the extremely gracious support of industry practitioners in this aspect. Their contributions played a pivotal role in turning our vision into reality, as they dedicated their time to design workshops on critical topics, mentor the finalist teams and provide their insights and feedback when judging the finalists.
While this decision added much complexity to the planning process, the effort was well worth it. The response to the competition exceeded my expectations, with a remarkable total of 112 individual sign-ups. It was heartening to see many freshmen, new to the field, taking part in the event. The feedback the competition received was also overwhelmingly positive, with participants expressing gratitude for the valuable learnings and takeaways, even if they didn't reach the finals.
I also would like to extend my deepest gratitude to Next Gen Investors Endowment for being not just a partner but a supportive and like-minded collaborator on this impactful journey. Their support bolstered our efforts and contributed significantly to the success of the competition.
– Dean Tay, President of the Sustainable Investment Club 2023
As a finalist for the SMU Next-Gen ESG Investing Conference, I was able to gain insight on how to understand a business, build a financial model, and most importantly, integrate ESG factors in my valuation. The sustainability focus of the case was something that positively differentiated the event from the rest of the competitions in the student community, helping me foster a constructive and unique lens when looking at potential investments. The conference improved my understanding of the ESG space; looking at engagement, materiality and the relevant frameworks guided by practitioners. Looking back, this conference helped me applying a multi-disciplinary approach to investing, and I would recommend it to all students, finance or non-finance, to give a try.
– Joshua Banzon, Kitty Capital
Participating in the SMU-NGEI Conference 2023 was truly invaluable. The event brought greater focus on exploring ESG integration within investment opportunities. Engaging with real-world ESG challenges allowed us to apply sustainable investment principles and craft a comprehensive strategy for fostering positive impact. This experience not only expanded my knowledge but also illustrated the substantial, tangible effects of integrating ESG considerations into businesses.
– Trinsy Neoh, Hedgehog Capital