The EU-Startups Podcast | Interview with Jack Mardack, co-founder of Oyster

In a recent interview ahead of the MeOut Summit in Budapest, Jack Mardack, co-founder of Oyster, the global employment platform that achieved unicorn status while maintaining B Corp certification, shared his insights on impact in business. Mardack emphasized that impact should be integrated into a business model from the outset, rather than being an afterthought or a mere values commitment.

He also highlighted the distinction between impact by intention and impact by design, noting that founders and investors can differentiate between the two.

Mardack explained that proving impact with evidence is crucial, and investors should prioritize funding proof over claims. He discussed the future of the ESG scorecard, suggesting that it may become obsolete as the focus shifts towards tangible results. In a ten-year vision for the European workforce, Mardack envisions a scenario where talent, capital, and opportunity are seamlessly connected across borders.

The interview touched upon the evolving ESG debate, which has become more ideological than practical. Mardack noted that the notable impact investing market indicates that investors have already moved beyond this argument. He also shared what it entails to hold the role of Chief Impact Officer and the broader implications of Europe funding evidence of impact instead of accepting claims.

Looking ahead, Mardack questioned whether Europe was measuring itself against the US on the right dimensions. He discussed the potential European workforce in ten years if better connections between talent, capital, and opportunity are established and why he will be joining the founder of Hungary’s first B Corp at the MeOut Summit in Budapest. Mardack's book, "Impact Unleashed: Building Businesses That Scale Positive Change," delves deeper into these concepts.