Research Insights

Tariffs have been the talk of the week—even at a housing conference in Kuala Lumpur. While many fear the economic fallout, I ask: where are the climate advocates? Higher tariffs could reduce overconsumption, especially in the U.S., and push people to buy fewer, better-quality goods. This shift might improve wages and working conditions abroad and help the planet. Ironically, Trump’s trade moves—despite his climate skepticism—could unintentionally speed up environmental progress. Sometimes disruption sparks the change we need.

While I have read several times that a founder’s journey is lonely, it was not until experiencing recent events that I truly understood how spot-on that description is.

At the heart of the World Trade Organization (WTO) 13th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, BillionBricks marked its presence through an impactful discussion on the importance of sustainability in global trade.

BillionBricks founder Prasoon Kumar unpacks the often-overlooked – yet equally crucial – components that drive innovation. At first glance, funding seems to be the cornerstone of innovation. However, a deeper examination reveals a more nuanced truth. Explore more on this month’s insights blog!

Architects, engineers, financiers, and civil society tirelessly devise ideas to solve the housing crisis. Despite their relentless efforts, the desired outcomes remain elusive. Could there be a white elephant in the room that needs to be addressed?

As a CEO of an impact-driven startup with an unconventional business model, I’ve witnessed the complex financial realities of pursuing meaningful work. My realizations push me to explore today’s concepts of contentment, measures of success, and the compensation gap in a capitalist-driven society.