An interview featuring Li Foundation chairman Lionel and Firetree Group founder Francesco was recently published in the Annual Review and blog of elea Foundation for Ethics in Globalization. Conducted by Andreas Kirchschläger, Founding Partner and CEO of elea, the conversation explored the origins and vision of the Philanthropic Investing Collective (PIC), a three-year initiative by elea, Asia Community Foundation, and Asia Philanthropy Circle to unlock philanthropic capital for high-potential impact ventures across Southeast Asia. As lead donors of the PIC, Lionel and Francesco also shared their hopes for the Collective and the role it can play in strengthening the region’s impact investing ecosystem.
Drawing from their diverse backgrounds in philanthropy, impact investing, and entrepreneurship, the three leaders discussed the importance of patience, trust, and partnership in supporting mission-driven enterprises. Lionel noted that philanthropy can often be a solitary journey, but investing alongside like-minded partners creates opportunities for deeper learning and shared purpose. Francesco likewise emphasised the importance of taking risks that conventional investors may not be willing to take to grow social impact over the long term.
The conversation also explored the leaders’ hopes for the Collective and how Southeast Asia’s growing ecosystem of social entrepreneurs can benefit from stronger networks and collaborative support structures like the PIC. For Lionel, he envisions the PIC successfully building up the impact investing infrastructure in Southeast Asia and achieving a ‘Philanthropy IPO’, where its model attracts broad recognition, more resources, and becomes replicable at scale.
Through initiatives such as the PIC, philanthropists and impact investors are seeking to move beyond isolated efforts and work together to help promising solutions scale sustainably. Li Foundation is proud to be a champion and lead donor of the PIC and looks forward to creating the conditions for entrepreneurs and communities across Asia to thrive through collaborative philanthropy.
The book showcases how the participants challenged their limits and conquered the World Marathon Challenge and North Pole Marathon to inspire people to challenge their own limits and pursue their dreams boldly.
The book tells the stories behind the event which saw the largest number of people in history running 1045km round Taiwan in 19 days.