A Conversation with Open Road: The role of impact finance and investment in the wake of COVID-19

April.07.2020

In the face of a global pandemic, small- to medium-sized businesses turn to the federal, state, and local governments, investment banks, private equity firms, and venture capitalists for financial support and stability, but an additional support mechanism has emerged – impact funds, such as Open Road Alliance, to help bridge the gap – literally. Listen in to our conversation with Orrick’s Impact Finance Attorney Perry Teicher and Open Road’s Chief Executive Officer Maya Winkelstein to learn more about the role of impact finance and investment in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.

In this Q&A you will learn about:

Impact finance and investment and Open Road’s thought process behind launching an impact fund
What Open Road is doing to differentiate themselves in the market
How to pivot and see the COVID-19 crisis as an opportunity to meet new needs of social enterprises
Steps impact funds and other investors can take to collectively respond to COVID-19

Authors

Perry Teicher Impact Finance Counsel, Impact Finance and Investment, Funds

New York

See my bio

Practice:

Impact Finance and Investment
Funds
Technology Companies Group
Responsible Business
Mergers & Acquisitions

vCard

See full bio

Perry Teicher Impact Finance Counsel

New York

Perry represents and advises entrepreneurs, companies, fund sponsors, family offices, tax-exempt organizations, and other asset owners across a wide range of transactions, including corporate legal matters, cross-border mergers and acquisitions, private fund formation matters and portfolio transactions, and private placements. Perry advises clients on impact-oriented and ESG matters, integrating social, environmental, and financial outcomes into a comprehensive strategy. Orrick’s Impact Finance & Investment practices serves a global client base across a range of sectors, leveraging Orrick’s unique capabilities to provide innovative, effective, and thoughtful legal services to those clients aiming to create positive social and environmental change alongside targeted financial returns.

Perry serves as co-chair of the NYU Law Grunin Center/Impact Investing Legal Working Group’s annual conference on Legal Issues in Social Entrepreneurship and Impact Investing and is involved in other sector building initiatives.

Perry served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kazakhstan, where he supported the development of businesses aiming to create mobility and opportunity for people with disabilities in the region. Perry is an Ariane de Rothschild Fellow and member of the ROI Community and Nexus. A native of the Detroit area and University of Michigan graduate, Perry remains committed to the Detroit area, supporting Detroit expat initiatives.