The Blended Finance Podcast

In this episode, we speak with Paddy Carter, Head of Development Economics at British International Investment, about the economics of blended finance. Drawing on a background spanning financial journalism, equities analysis, and research roles at the Overseas Development Institute and the Centre for Global Development, Paddy discusses how to think about subsidy in the broadest economic sense, the core logic behind the MDB-DFI principles for concessional finance, and what it takes to judge whether a market is ready for commercial capital.

In this episode, we speak with Nikki Kemp, Executive Director at the Singapore Green Finance Centre, about what it will take to mobilise capital for Asia’s transition. Drawing on her background across institutional banking and sustainable finance advisory, Nikki discusses what transition finance means beyond funding assets that are already green, why the diversity of Asia’s economies and energy systems makes this work complex, and why a just transition needs to hold jobs and development alongside emissions reduction.

In this episode, we speak with Karanraj Chaudri, Regional Specialist at UNDP Asia-Pacific and Sustainable Finance Advisor at UNDP in India, about the evolving role of blended and innovative financing mechanisms in advancing climate and development outcomes. From private sector engagement and SDG financing to climate-smart agriculture credit and resilience-focused investments, the conversation explores what it takes to move beyond one-off transactions toward long-term market development and scalable sustainable finance ecosystems.

In this episode of The Blended Finance Podcast, we speak with Manjula Singh, Executive Director, India at the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF). Drawing on over 25 years of leadership across health, education, skilling, and gender, Manjula reflects on her career journey and shares insights on outcomes-based financing in India. The conversation covers the Skill Impact Bond, CIFF's investments in girls and women, the role of philanthropy in OBF, and what it will take to move from successful pilots to genuine scale.

In this episode, we speak with Charlie Langdale, CEO of Humanity Insured, to discuss how insurance can serve as a tool for climate resilience rather than just risk transfer. From its origins at COP26 to on-the-ground projects protecting displaced communities, farming households, and urban workers across 20+ countries, Charlie walks us through the practicalities of making parametric insurance work for people who have never had a financial safety net. The conversation explores what blended finance and concessional capital can unlock, where parametric insurance hits its limits, and what needs to change in policy and funding to reach the 3.6 billion people living on the climate frontline.

This special anniversary episode of The Blended Finance Podcast features TBFC partners Aparna Dua, Nirav Khambhati, and Tushar Thakkar reflecting on two years of building The Blended Finance Company. The conversation covers highlights from the past year, insights from working across the blended finance ecosystem, lessons from early hypotheses, and the importance of execution-focused approaches. 

Join Nirav Khambhati for a masterclass in development finance with Nachiket Mor, one of India's foremost thinkers on institutional design and capital mobilization. Discover how the Gates Foundation's vaccine guarantees worked without ever being called, why the government's role in blended finance goes far beyond providing capital, and what principles drive institutions that achieve both impact and financial viability. With insights spanning from airline guarantees under UDAN to income-contingent lending for medical education, this episode reveals how smart capital deployment can transform entire sectors.

In this episode, Nirav Khambhati speaks with Pompy Sridhar, India Director at MSD for Mothers, who shares how innovative finance, quality accreditation, and public-private collaboration are transforming maternal healthcare. Tune in to hear how MSD for Mothers is tackling preventable maternal mortality and shaping sustainable health systems in India and beyond.

Join Nirav Khambhati as he sits down with Priyank Tiwari, IIX's Senior Director for Research and Government Relations, to explore how Impact Investment Exchange is leveraging blended finance to drive sustainable development across South and Southeast Asia. Discover insights on Orange Bonds, institutional partnerships, and the future of impact investing from a leader with 20+ years of experience in the field.

Join Nirav Khambhati as he sits down with Caroline Chernov, World YMCA’s Lead for Global Impact Investing, to explore how the organization is leveraging innovative finance models to empower youth and build thriving communities. Learn about World YMCA’s Vision 2030 and its strategy for mobilizing capital to solve pressing global challenges.