Innovation

For this innovation, Snowden partnered with other companies whose only job is providing sustainable investment opportunities for clients. Some of their partnerships are with Solar Farms and Amyris, for example. A sustainable investment, according to Greg Franks, means “investing in things that do not harm the environment and positively contribute to the future on Earth.” This innovation was not originally a part of Snowden; however, the leadership team wanted to meet their clients' needs and differentiate themselves from competition. Sustainable investing is not yet a widely offered pathway in financial services. For many clients, Franks noted that “discovering and pursuing sustainable investments has been a historically difficult task. That is, until Snowden Lane Partners came along.” Clients can now speak with their financial advisor at Snowden about sustainable investments, and Snowden guides them through the process.

There are two SDGs that relate to the innovation of Snowden Lane Partners; climate action and economic growth. Snowden Lane Partners takes action to combat climate change by being one of the first companies to innovate other companies whose job is to provide sustainable investment opportunities for clients, such as Solar Farms and electric car companies. With sustainable investment, the company can invest in things that do not affect the environment. This allows them to manufacture and build items with zero carbon footprint. The SDG, economic growth, promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth through decent work and employment for all. Greg Franks stated that clients demanded their investments be sustainable opportunities stating, “Snowden provides the necessary capital to allow the sustainable opportunities to grow and continue to innovate”. Snowden funds and encourages clients to put capital into companies that give no harm to the environment. For example, the company Amyris produces sugar in a lab so they do not have to use farms with fertilizer and gallons of water to harm the environment. Snowden Lane partners are responding to climate change and are growing economically through sustainable investment and clients that demand sustainable investments.

Inspiration

The inspiration for Snowden Lane Partners sustainable investment pathway came directly from client demand. A large number of clients were demanding that their investments be sustainable opportunities, as climate change and green investing have been a major focus of our society today. Furthermore, Franks explained to us that sustainability has a direct correlation with Snowden’s mission of “Doing Well By Doing Good.” The leadership team at Snowden has always felt compelled to leave the world as a better place than they found it, hence their mission statement and subsequent sustainable investment innovation. Snowden was and remains committed to driving this innovation forward for the benefit of society and their investors. They spent over a year and a half studying and investing in this area to become knowledgeable on the subject. The leadership team then forged partnerships with sustainable opportunities. In summary, Greg Franks says that it was Snowden’s clients and deeper mission that inspired them to pursue sustainable investing.

Overall impact

Snowden Lane partners mission is doing well by doing good. They listen to their clients and have changed the course of environmental investment. They are doing good by leaving no carbon footprint and using companies that are environmentally conscious. Their overall impact to their clients has given them the ability to innovate greater sustainable investment opportunities and leaves their demanding sustainable clients happy.

Business benefit

The use of the independent wealth advisory firm, Snowden Lane Partners has many benefits for the company. Sustainable investing is what draws people to Snowden Lane Partners; clients know they will receive what they are looking for. Having partnerships with companies who provide sustainable investing is what sets them apart from competitors. Another benefit for Snowden Lane Partners is the commitment of the entire leadership of innovation for the benefit of society and their investors. They spent over a year and a half studying and investing in this area to become knowledgeable on the subject. The leadership team then forged partnerships with sustainable opportunities.

Social and environmental benefit

Snowden Lane Partners live by their mission of doing well by doing good. The company's leadership team feels compelled to leave the world a better place than we found it. A social and environmental benefit would be Snowden Clients investing in things that do not harm the environment. Sustainable investing contributes positively to the future of the earth. An example is leaving no carbon footprint and using companies that are environmentally conscious. Giving companies the capital for Solar Farms, electric car companies, hydroponic farms benefits our world. Snowden funds and encourages clients to put up capital for the company Amyris. Amyris produces biosynthetic sugar in a laboratory without having to farm 50,000 acres of sugarcane. By doing this it benefits our environment by not consuming over 20 million gallons of water and over 7 tons of fertilizer which are all bad for our planet.

Interview

Greg Franks, Founder and President