Alex Stephany is the CEO and founder of govtech startup Beam.

Opinion

June 2, 2026

Tech for good isn't dead. Venture capital just forgot how to find it

Venture capital doesn't have a values problem. It has a capability problem, writes Alex Stephany.

Alex Stephany

4 min read

Global venture capital is up over 150% year-on-year in Q1 2026. AI investment is at record highs. Yet impact startup investment fell 63% last year to $33bn — its lowest level since 2017. The money hasn't gone anywhere. Investors have simply lost the ability to spot what's in front of them.

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Alex Stephany

Alex Stephany is the founder and CEO of the govtech startup Beam.

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