Exploring Happiness as the Future of Investment: Reflections from Bhutan

Chris Wade, co-founder and partner of Isomer, had the privilege of joining the 2024 Happiness Capital Summit held this year in Bhutan.

The summit was attended by the inspirational Lee Kum Kee family, the happiness investment team, and their VC funds and companies portfolio. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Bhutanese Himalayas, the event sparked meaningful conversations on how purposeful founders can reshape the future of investments.

Bhutan, renowned for being the only country in the world that measures Gross National Happiness (GNH) as a central indicator of success, offers a unique perspective on how we can rethink economic progress. Here, success isn’t solely defined by GDP; instead, the focus is on well-being, environmental preservation, and the long-term flourishing of people and nature alike.

The four-day event focused on founders talking publicly and privately about the challenges of building their sustainability companies in the challenging fundraising environment. There was a different perspective from what we frequently hear here in the West on regional investments from many institutional investors who joined the event.

There were many Isomer portfolio companies and a few of our funds, and it is heartening to hear them speak positively about their partnership with Happiness Capital, knowing that when Isomer met them in 2017 when they were new to Europe. They have been prolific Isomer  LP partners and friends.