Dignity not Dependence, Choice not Charity: Vinay Nair at TEDxExeter

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Once a poster boy investment banker, Vinay Nair tells the story of his involvement in 'patient capital', and how it can be a vehicle for reducing poverty and improving social justice.


About TEDx, x = independently organized event

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

At TEDxExeter 2014 our speakers and performers connected us with other worlds. Our talks exposed corruption in big business, shared effective approaches to tackling social inequality and gave a voice to those whose human rights are under threat. We explored the impact of fast changing technologies on all our lives. We journeyed through fire and forest to frozen landscapes. We were challenged to consider worlds of extremes, cutting edge controversies and risky opportunities.
Video Production Chromatrope ()
Production Manager Andy Robertson ()

Vinay Nair works in London for Acumen Fund, a non-profit global venture fund that uses entrepreneurial approaches to solve the problems of global poverty. He is a former Executive Director at J.P. Morgan London, where he was head of a fixed-income marketing team. He took a sabbatical to work on microfinance and social enterprise, primarily in India. He subsequently worked for the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative in Mozambique, and on secondment to the Ministry of Health, co-led the successful $175 million application for 5-years of funding from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. He has launched two social enterprises, one in rural Mozambique, working with HIV-positive women to make and sell jam, and one in the UK, focusing on out-of-hours primary health care, for which he received an award from UnLtd.

Vinay received his BA (Hons) in Economics and Political Science from Trinity College Dublin and an MPA (Public Policy and Management) from the London School of Economics. At LSE, he conducted a group capstone project on Indian rural electrification with Acumen Fund and its investee, Husk Power Systems. Vinay sits on the Board of Acumen investee, Durable Activated Residual Textiles (DART). He is on the Advisory Board of Social & Sustainable Capital, the Centre for Talented Youth of Ireland and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)