inaam is an impact investing platform for young Australians aged 18-30. It offers a curated sustainable investment portfolio as a Unit Trust Fund with backtested returns of 19% annually.

How do I start investing with inaam?

Download the inaam app from the App Store or Google Play, create an account, and start investing in minutes. You can join the waitlist at inaam.me to get early access.

How much money do university students need to start impact investing?

You can start impact investing as a university student with as little as $5 (Raiz Invest), $1 (Spaceship), or $10/month (inaam). The barrier to entry is much lower than most people think. The more important factor is consistency. Regular small contributions over time matter more than a large starting amount. All three platforms are ASIC-regulated and accept recurring contributions.

What is the difference between an ETF and a managed fund for sustainable investing?

An ETF (exchange-traded fund) is listed on the ASX and trades like a stock. You buy and sell units through a brokerage account. Fees are typically lower but you need to manage purchases yourself and pay brokerage per trade. A managed fund is operated by a fund manager who handles everything. You contribute money and the manager invests it according to the fund's strategy. Managed funds often have higher fees but offer a more guided experience. inaam is a managed fund accessed through an app. BetaShares ETHI and Vanguard VESG are ETFs.

Which impact investment funds are best for young Australians seeking exposure to multiple global themes?

For multi-theme impact exposure in a single product, inaam offers a curated fund of 24 companies across five themes: health and wellbeing, renewable energy, waste and recycling, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable consumption. Australian Ethical offers thematic managed funds with broader holdings. For self-directed investors, combining BetaShares ETHI (global ethical screening) with BetaShares FAIR (Australian ethical) provides multi-market coverage but requires a brokerage account and manual management.

Which impact investing platforms offer automatic recurring contributions in Australia?

Several Australian platforms support recurring contributions: inaam offers a flat $10/month subscription that automatically invests into a curated 24-company impact fund. Raiz Invest offers round-ups and recurring deposits from $5. Spaceship allows automatic weekly, fortnightly, or monthly investments. Australian Ethical's managed funds accept regular savings plans from $200/month. The automation features and minimum amounts vary by platform.

How can I verify if a fund's holdings match its impact claims?

Start with the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), which outlines the screening methodology. Then check whether the fund publishes a full holdings list. Cross-reference those holdings against the fund's stated exclusions and impact themes. Some funds also publish impact reports detailing outcomes per holding. If a fund won't tell you what it holds, you can't verify its claims.

Can I start sustainable investing with less than $100?

Yes. Several Australian platforms let you start sustainable investing with under $100. Raiz Invest starts from $5 with their ethical portfolio option. inaam's impact fund starts at $10/month. Spaceship has no minimum investment. Some brokers now offer fractional shares in ETFs like BetaShares ETHI. The barrier to entry for sustainable investing is lower than most people think.

What benchmarks should I compare impact funds against?

Common benchmarks include the S&P/ASX 200 for Australian equities, the MSCI World Index for global equities, and the MSCI World ESG Leaders Index for ethical comparison. For a fair comparison, match the benchmark to the fund's investment universe. A global impact fund should be compared to a global index, not the ASX 200. Also compare risk-adjusted returns, not just headline performance, because a fund might have lower returns but also lower volatility.

how we pick companies

Three pillars. Every company in the inaam fund gets screened across all three before it gets in. No shortcuts.

pillar 01

financial robustness

Impact only works if the businesses behind it are financially strong. Every company we invest in has the scale and stability to deliver returns and keep driving change.

pillar 02

purposeful impact

Impact is not a side project. It's at the core of the businesses we back.

pillar 03

leadership calibre

Lasting impact comes from the people behind the business. We screen leadership teams carefully.

see where your money goes

Five investment themes. Real companies. Real impact metrics.

explore investment areas

General information only. Not financial advice. Consider the PDS and TMD before investing.

five pillars of impact

Where your money goes. Each pillar reflects a real global shift and the companies leading it.

health & wellbeing

Safer products, stronger wellbeing, innovations that help communities live longer and healthier lives.

learn more

renewable energy

Cleaner power. The technologies reshaping how we generate, store and use energy.

learn more

waste & recycling

Redesigning waste for a circular future. Less landfill, smarter materials.

learn more

sustainable agriculture

Ethical farming, healthier ecosystems, better practices that protect land and water.

learn more

sustainable consumption

Conscious living. From fashion to food, smarter habits that reduce our footprint.

learn more

how we measure real impact

Every company is evaluated across financial strength, purposeful impact and leadership calibre.

see the methodology

The Fine Print

ChatGPT: The Clearance

your favourite AI got a pentagon security clearance, started running ads, and deleted "safely" from its mission. same month. full sourced breakdown.

Learning Lab

The Three Pillars of Sustainable Investing

What are ESG, SRI and Impact Investing?

Learning Lab

The Beginners Guide to Sustainable Investing (2025 edition)

Everything you need to know to get started.

Learning Lab

What Are Thematic ETFs?

Understanding the building blocks of modern investing.

Learning Lab

What is a PE Ratio and Why Should You Care?

Understanding valuation basics.

Learning Lab

What Does "Sustainability" Actually Mean?

Cutting through the jargon.

Learning Lab

What I Wish I Knew about Investing at 22

Lessons from experience.

Learning Lab

EBITDA Explained for First-Time Investors

Financial metrics made simple.

Learning Lab

What is a Portfolio and Why Should Young Investors Care in 2025?

Building your investment foundation.

Learning Lab

A Simple Guide to ETFs for New Investors

Exchange-traded funds explained.

Learning Lab

Impact Investing in Australia: A 2025 Guide for Young Investors

Your local guide to making a difference.

guide

Choosing Impact Investment Funds for Young Australians

Honest comparison of platforms that actually screen for impact.

guide

Best Impact Investing Apps for Australian Students

Fees, features, and which ones actually walk the talk.

guide

Transparent Impact Investment Portfolios

Which platforms actually show you what you own.

guide

Social Inequality Impact Funds

Compare impact funds focused on social inequality outcomes in Australia.

guide

Impact Investing for Uni Students

Best impact investing app for Australian university students starting from $10/month.

guide

Best Sustainable Investment Platform

Compare sustainable investment platforms in Australia side by side.

guide

Best Impact Investment Funds

Find the best impact investment funds for young Australians.

guide

Impact Investing Dashboard App

Track your impact investments with a real-time dashboard built for transparency.

guide

Recurring Contributions to Impact Investing

How automatic contributions build your impact portfolio over time.

guide

Portfolio Transparency in Impact Investing

Why knowing exactly what you own matters for impact investors.

guide

Low-Minimum Sustainable Funds

Sustainable funds you can start with $10 or less in Australia.

guide

Impact Investing vs Benchmarks

How impact funds actually perform against traditional benchmarks.

guide

Beginner's Guide to Choosing an Impact App

First-time investor? Here's how to pick the right impact investing app.

guide

Social Inequality Impact Funds

Funds targeting social inequality outcomes and how they measure up.

guide

Impact Investing App for Uni Students

Why more Australian uni students are choosing impact investing apps.

guide

Sustainable Investment Platform Guide

Everything you need to know about choosing a sustainable investment platform.

If you've ever felt like your investment money is stuck doing the same old thing, chasing profits without a purpose, you're not alone. Welcome to the world of Sustainable investing. It's where your money earns a return and works to build a better world. Within this movement, there are three key approaches often mentioned: ESGEnvironmental, Social, and Governance. Three categories used to judge how responsibly a company operates. It's basically a report card for corporate behaviour., SRI, and the most powerful of all, Impact Investing.

Let's break this down.

what are ESG, SRI and impact investing?

ESG, SRI, and Impact Investing are all ways to align your investments with your values.

They shift the central question from just "How much money will I make?" to "What kind of world am I helping to build?" These are frameworks that help investors make decisions aligned with their values, global sustainability, and long-term impact, without ignoring financial performance.

ESG - the filter

ESG stands for Environmental, Social and Governance. ESG Investing evaluates companies based on three core factors:

Environmental: How a company manages its impact on the planet like emissions, waste, renewable energy use, and resource efficiency.
Social: How it treats its employees, suppliers, customers, and communities.
Governance: How it operates through leadership ethics, transparency, board diversity and fair executive pay.

It is like a filtered feed on YouTube. ESG filters out the bad content (polluters, unethical firms) from your video feed, so you get clean recommendations that you might like. ESG is primarily focused on managing risk.

SRI - the curator

Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) takes ethical considerations one step further. It focuses on excluding industries or companies that conflict with moral or social values. SRI investors apply what's called negative screening, which is intentionally avoiding "sin" sectors such as:

Tobacco
Weapons
Fossil fuels
Gambling
Adult entertainment

In contrast, positive screening highlights companies making meaningful progress in areas like renewable energy, fair labour, and diversity.

Think of it like a curated Youtube playlist. SRI helps you curate your content playlist that fits your purpose and values and ensures no awkward "why is this in my recommendations?" moments. SRI is focused on aligning with values.

impact investing - the inspirer

This is where it gets exciting. Impact Investing refers to investments made with the intention of generating measurable, positive social or environmental outcomes, alongside financial returns. While ESG manages risk and SRI avoids harm, Impact Investing actively creates solutions. Impact investments target crucial sectors where capital can drive demonstrable change, such as:

Clean energy: Funding new solar, wind, and geothermal power projects.
Affordable housing: Investing in developments that address housing shortages in underserved communities.
Education technology: Backing tools that make quality learning accessible worldwide.

Think of it like a feel-good podcast. This content moves you and leaves you inspired, not drained. You feel good when you invest your time (or your money) into it and get a great experience out of it. Imagine going from "I recycle" to "I fund the recycling company." That's impact investing, where purpose meets profit in motion.

impact investing is the way forward

The future of finance is about action. Investors, particularly those from the younger generations, are no longer content with simply avoiding bad investment. They want their money to actively solve global challenges. The focus on clear, measurable outcomes is what gives Impact Investing its edge and why it represents the future of responsible wealth building.

how to select what works?

Like any other investment approach, these strategies help you choose which companies or funds your money supports, but the selection criteria go beyond profits.

When you invest through funds or platforms that offer these approaches, you can often choose between ready-made portfolios (curated by fund managers) or build your own by picking companies that match your beliefs.

benefits of impact focused investing

When you focus on genuine Impact Investing, you gain unique advantages that go beyond traditional portfolio management.

aligning wealth with a deeper purpose

This is your Emotional ROI (Return on Intention). You're not just growing your money, you're growing your influence. For many modern investors, the confidence of knowing their capital is solving problems they care about, is just as valuable as the financial return.

access to future-proof markets

By directing your investments toward innovative solutions in areas generating positive impact like clean water and air, you gain exposure to markets that are set up for significant, long-term growth. As global sustainability becomes a necessity, companies solving these problems are naturally more resilient and future-proof.

how to evaluate the risks?

In Impact Investing, assessing risks means looking beyond standard financials. It means asking: "Is this company's impact claim genuine?" You should always look for a clear connection between the investment and the outcome. Always check the data, not just the buzzwords, to ensure a company's impact claims are backed by measurable performance, a concept that is now becoming easier than ever.

how inaam makes impact investing simple

Building an investment portfolio that actively creates measurable impact shouldn't feel like navigating a complex maze. At inaam, we are dedicated to making Impact Investing intuitive, accessible, and transparent, so you can stop wondering and start acting.

We make Impact Investing easy by simplifying the entire process through guided, impact-focused features.

Select your impact themes: Start by choosing the causes that matter most to you. From tackling climate change to promoting health and well-being, inaam helps you identify the specific outcomes you want your money to support.
Define your action: Using our guided tools, you decide where you want to make a difference. These selections inform inaam exactly where to direct your money for measurable change.
Get curated portfolios: inaam curates diversified investment "buckets" tailored to meet your financial goals and your specific impact outcomes. We simplify the complexity, matching your desire for change with high-quality, impact-focused funds.

Create an investment portfolio without the endless "what now?" moments and finally feel confident that you're doing it right.

a note for the future 'you'

Impact investing is changing what it means to grow your money. It proves that strong financial returns and positive change can go hand in hand. Instead of chasing short-term gains, it's about using your capital to support the world you want to live in. At inaam, we are making that journey simple and clear. Our platform helps you see exactly where your money goes and the difference it makes, dollar for dollar.

Ready to start investing for good? Take our Investor Personality Quiz to see how inaam can help you take that first step.

what is sustainable investing?

Sustainable investing means choosing investments that take into account environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. It's about asking: what kind of businesses am I funding with my money?

Think renewable energy instead of fossil fuels. Think companies that support diversity instead of exploitative labour. Think technology that's solving global issues, not creating more of them.

But sustainability isn't just a buzzword. In 2025, it's a market driver. According to Bloomberg, ESG assets globally are on track to exceed US$50 trillion by 2025. In Australia, it's now mainstream, not niche.

why it matters in 2025

Let's look at what's happening around us:

Climate events are intensifying. Australia's recent floods and heatwaves have prompted urgent calls for green transitions.
Gen Z and Millennials are projected to control over 70% of disposable income by 2030, and they care about values.
Ethical superannuation funds are outperforming traditional peers.

This isn't about feeling good. It's about being ahead of the curve.

sustainable vs ethical vs impact investing

These terms often get jumbled. Here's a quick guide:

Sustainable Investing: Looks at how companies care for the environment, people, and good management (ESG), as well as their profits. It's often used in investment funds like ETFsExchange-Traded Fund. Like a pre-made playlist of stocks you can buy in one go on the stock exchange. Instead of picking individual companies, you get a bundle., and it's not always about personal values. Sometimes it's just about reducing risk and finding stronger companies.
Ethical Investing: is when you choose investments that match your personal morals or beliefs. The main goal is to avoid putting money into industries or companies you see as harmful, such as tobacco, gambling, weapons, or fossil fuels. Instead, the focus is on supporting businesses that do less harm and act responsibly.
Impact Investing: Impact investing means putting money into businesses or projects that do measurable good for society or the environment while also earning a financial return.

Sustainability is the floor, not the ceiling. Use it to build portfolios, not define them.

how to start sustainable investing (even with $100)

step 1: pick a platform

Look for investing platforms that support fractional investingBuying a tiny slice of a share instead of the whole thing. So if one share of a company costs $500, you can invest $20 and own a fraction of it. and include ethical or sustainability filters. Choose one that aligns with your values and provides transparency on where your money is going.

step 2: set your budget

You don't need thousands to begin. Start with whatever amount fits your budget each month. Even $100 is plenty. What matters is consistency, not the size of your investment.

step 3: diversify

Avoid putting all your money in a single stock. Instead, use ETFs or building a mixed portfolio so that it spreads your risk. Here are some beginner friendly ETF's to include:

ETHI - Global ethical leaders
FAIR - Australian ethical fund

step 4: track performance and impact

Good platforms let you see not only your financial returns but also your real world impact, such as:

CO₂ emissions avoided
Jobs supported
Diversity and inclusion metrics

sustainable investment themes for 2025

Investing in themes allows you to focus your money on the areas driving the biggest change in society and the economy, while still aiming for solid returns. Here are some suitable themes for your portfolio:

Clean energy: investing in solar, wind, and hydrogen to replace fossil fuels.
Circular economy: supporting recycling, re-use, and turning waste into energy.
Health equity: making healthcare more affordable and accessible for everyone.
Financial inclusion: giving more people access to banking, credit, and financial tools.
First Nations enterprise: backing Indigenous-led businesses to grow and strengthen communities.

Follow the impact, not the hype. Companies like Canadian Solar and Lemonade are examples of businesses that are not just growing fast, but also contributing meaningfully to global solutions.

what to watch out for

greenwashing

Greenwashing is when a company or organization makes itself look more environmentally friendly than it really is. Some funds label themselves sustainable but hold shares in mining or big oil companies. Always check the actual holdings.

short-term thinking

Sustainable investments may not deliver huge gains overnight. They often take longer to show results but that patience pays off with stronger resilience and ethical impact over time.

risk still exists

Even ethical investments carry risks. It's important to research them carefully, just as you would with any other financial decision.

faqs

Is sustainable investing profitable? Yes. Multiple reports, including from RIAA and Morningstar, show sustainable portfolios match or outperform traditional ones.
Can I invest through my super? Absolutely. Most super funds offer an ethical or sustainable option. Just ask.
Do I need a financial advisor? Not to start. But if your portfolio grows or you want personal advice, it's worth considering.
Will I sacrifice returns for values? Not necessarily. Research shows sustainable funds often perform as well as or better than traditional ones over time.

how inaam helps

inaam makes sustainable investing simple and transparent. Instead of digging through complex reports, you get clear insights into which investments truly align with your values. We help you cut through greenwashingWhen a company talks a big game about being eco-friendly but doesn't actually back it up. All marketing, no substance., focus on long-term opportunities, and understand the risks so you can invest with confidence. Best of all, inaam lets you track your real-world impact showing how your money contributes to cleaner energy, fairer work, and a more sustainable future.

final thought

Sustainable investing isn't a trend. It's a transition. And like any transition, it starts with a first step.

With the right tools, a curious mindset, and platforms that do the heavy lifting, you can grow your wealth without compromising your values.

If your money has power, make sure it's building the kind of world you actually want to live in.

understanding thematic ETFs

A thematic ETF is an exchange-traded fund that invests in companies tied to a specific theme or trend, rather than focusing on a region (e.g., Australian shares) or a broad sector (e.g., healthcare). These themes are often based on long-term structural changes in the economy or society.

For example, a thematic ETF might focus on:

Clean energy (solar, wind, battery technology)
Artificial intelligence and robotics
Cybersecurity
Aging populations and healthcare innovation
Space exploration

Instead of holding a wide mix of unrelated companies, a thematic ETF narrows its scope to businesses directly connected to the chosen theme. Think of a thematic ETF like watching Netflix, you don't just watch one show - you get access to a whole collection built around a theme. For example, you might click on the "Sci-Fi & Fantasy" category. Inside, there's Stranger Things, Black Mirror, The Witcher, and a bunch of other titles that all fit the vibe.

That's what a thematic ETF does with investing. Instead of putting your money into just one company (like buying the stock of Stranger Things only), it groups together a bunch of companies tied to the same trend whether it's streaming, clean energy, or AI.

So buying a thematic ETF is like saying: "I don't just want one show, I want the whole category because I believe this theme is going to stay popular."

how thematic ETFs work

Like all ETFs, thematic ETFs are traded on stock exchanges just like individual stocks. Investors can buy and sell shares throughout the trading day, making them liquid and flexible.

The fund manager selects companies based on the theme, which could include:

Pure-play companies are businesses that are primarily focused on the theme itself. Their main products, services, and revenue streams come directly from that trend.
Supporting players are businesses that may not be fully centered on the theme but still benefit from it in important ways. They provide the tools, infrastructure, or complementary services that help the theme grow.

For example, the BetaShares Global Cybersecurity ETF (ASX: HACK) includes leading cybersecurity firms like CrowdStrike and Palo Alto Networks, but also exposure to broader tech providers that support secure digital ecosystems.

benefits of thematic ETFs

Targeted Exposure: Investors can focus on specific areas they believe will grow in the future.
Diversification Within a Theme: Unlike picking a single stock, thematic ETFs spread risk across multiple companies within the theme.
Accessibility: They provide exposure to complex or niche sectors without requiring deep expertise.
Alignment with Personal Values: Many investors like backing themes such as sustainability, innovation, or diversity.

risks to keep in mind

While thematic ETFs can be exciting, they come with unique risks:

Concentration Risk: Because they zoom in on one theme, you don't get the same spread of companies that a broad index fund gives you.
Volatility: New or fast-changing themes, like space exploration or streaming, can rise and fall in value very quickly.
Hype Risk: Some themes get a lot of attention for a while but may not last in the long run.
Higher Fees: Thematic ETFs often charge slightly more in fees than traditional ETFs.

how to evaluate a thematic ETF

Not all thematic ETFs are created equal. You might find it useful if you add a short checklist on what to look for, such as:

Clarity of Theme: Is the theme well-defined and not overly broad?
Holdings Quality: Are the underlying companies true innovators, or just tangentially related?
Geographic Exposure: Some themes may be more prominent outside the U.S. (e.g., EV supply chains in Asia).
Fund Size and Liquidity: Larger ETFs with higher trading volume are usually more stable.
Expense Ratio: Compare costs across similar funds.

who should consider thematic ETFs?

Thematic ETFs may suit investors who:

Want to add growth potential through emerging trends.
Have high conviction about certain industries or innovations.
Are looking to complement a core portfolio of broad index funds with more targeted bets.

However, they may not be ideal as the foundation of a portfolio - rather, they work best as a satellite holding to add flavor and future-focused exposure.

how inaam helps

At inaam, we use the concept of thematic ETFs as a way to align investing with what matters most to you. Instead of just looking at numbers, we start with your values whether that's sustainability, technology and healthcare innovation. From there, we match those values to themes and curate a custom micro-portfolio for you - consider it your personal thematic ETF generator!

Our goal is to make it easy for you to see how your money can follow the future you believe in. By breaking down each theme in simple terms and comparing investments side by side, inaam helps you build a portfolio that isn't just about returns, but also about reflecting who you are and what you stand for.

final thoughts

Thematic ETFs are an exciting way to invest in tomorrow's big ideas today. From renewable energy to artificial intelligence, they offer investors a chance to align their portfolios with innovation and long-term global shifts.

Still, like all investments, it's important to balance enthusiasm with caution. Do your research, understand the risks, and consider how a thematic ETF fits into your broader financial strategy.

what is PE ratio?

PE stands for Price-to-Earnings ratio. It's a measure of how much investors are willing to pay for each dollar of a company's earnings. In other words, it connects a company's stock price to its profits.

PE = Share Price / Earnings Per Share (EPS)

example:

Let's say a company's share price is $10 and its Earnings per share (which is a key financial metric that shows how much profit a company makes for each share of its stock) is $2.

Its PE ratio is $10 / $2 = 5. That means investors are paying $5 for every $1 of earnings.

why does it matter?

The P/E ratio is a quick snapshot of how the market values a company relative to its profits:

High PE means the stock looks "expensive" relative to its earnings. This could mean investors expect rapid growth in the future. But it might also mean the stock is overvalued.
Low PE might mean the stock looks "cheap". This could signal undervaluation and a bargain opportunity, or it could reflect deeper problems with the business.

what's a "good" PE?

It depends on the industry:

Tech companies often trade at higher P/E ratios because investors expect strong innovation and growth.
Utilities and banks usually have lower P/Es because they grow more slowly and have steadier earnings.

The key is to compare a company's P/E to:

Industry peers: A company's P/E should be compared with others in the same industry. What looks expensive in one sector (like utilities) may be perfectly normal in another (like tech).
Historical average: It's useful to compare a company's current P/E with its own past levels, because a ratio much higher than its historical average may suggest strong growth expectations, while a lower-than-usual P/E could point to undervaluation or slowing performance.
The broader market: Comparing a company's P/E to the overall market average helps you see how it's valued in a wider context, with a higher ratio often reflecting stronger growth prospects and a lower ratio suggesting more stability or potential undervaluation.

limitations

While useful, the P/E ratio has blind spots. It doesn't account for:

Future growth potential: A company may look expensive now but grow into its valuation later
Debt levels: A highly indebted company might look cheap but carry high risks.
Earnings consistency: Profits can go up and down. Volatile profits can make the ratio misleading.

use P/E with other tools

P/E should never be your only measure. You can pair it with:

Growth forecasts: This means looking at how much a company's sales or profits are expected to grow in the future. It helps you figure out whether the current share price makes sense. If a stock looks expensive compared to today's profits (a high price-to-earnings ratio), that might be fine if earnings are expected to rise quickly. If growth looks slow, then the high price is harder to justify.
Debt ratios: Debt ratios show how much a company relies on borrowed money. A little debt can be helpful because it funds expansion, but too much can make a company vulnerable if profits fall or interest rates go up. These ratios are used to judge how financially healthy and stable a business is.
Industry comparisons: Companies need to be judged in the context of their industry. What's "normal" in one sector can look completely unusual in another. Airlines, for instance, usually carry heavy debt because planes are so expensive, while software firms often carry very little. Comparing a company's numbers to its peers helps you see if it's strong, weak, or average within its field.

how inaam helps

inaam ensures we teach you more terms such as P/E ratio on the Wiki page of our soon-to-be launched app so you can understand whether a stock aligns with your strategy and values. We help you to learn and grow continually just like your portfolios, so you stayed informed and secure throughout your financial journey.

final thought

The P/E ratio is just one number, but learning to read it can transform how you invest. It's not about chasing "cheap" or "expensive" stocks, but about understanding what the market is telling you and deciding if that story fits your goals.

Note: This is general information, not financial advice. Always do your own research or speak to a licensed advisor before investing.

the three E's: environment, economy, equity

These three pillars, often called the Three E's, are the foundation of sustainability.

Environment: Protecting natural systems, biodiversity, and the climate, so future generations can thrive. This really means meeting today's needs without compromising tomorrow's - think of it as "living lightly on Earth."
Economy: Building systems that are resilient and lasting, not just chasing short-term profit. Profitable, yes, but in a way that supports long-term success for communities and businesses.
Equity: Fairness in how benefits and burdens are shared. It is about social justice and ensuring everyone, including the vulnerable and marginalised, can thrive.

This framework is not new. It traces back to the Bruntland Commission, which in 1987 defined sustainable development and inspired global efforts like Agenda 21.

why it matters: it is more than just recycling

Here is what it means in real life: if something helps the planet but exploits communities, it is not sustainable. If it boosts the economy but wrecks First Nations land, it is not sustainable either.

Even small choices like where your salmon bagel comes from or how your superannuation is invested can connect to all three pillars of sustainability. If the café takes care to ensure that the fish is ethically sourced, it speaks to environmental responsibility by protecting ecosystems and supporting sustainable fisheries. At the same time, the way the café treats its staff reflects the social pillar, demonstrating fairness, dignity, and respect in the workplace. On the financial side, your super fund plays a role in shaping the future economy, whether it channels investments into clean energy projects that drive the transition to renewables, or into coal and gas industries that lock in environmental harm. These everyday decisions, often taken for granted, actually ripple outward into environmental, social, and economic systems, showing how intertwined our values and consumption choices really are.

Your decisions, even the small ones, have ripple effects.

the dirty secret: Australian banks and fossil fuel financing

You might be doing everything right; cycling to work, cutting waste - but if your money is parked in a fossil-fuel-investing bank, it might be undoing your good intentions.

A report by Market Forces reveals Australia's big four banks - ANZ, NAB, Commonwealth Bank, and Westpac have loaned over AU$61 billion to fossil fuel companies since the Paris Agreement in 2015. That includes $3.6 billion in 2023 alone.

ANZ is the biggest contributor, lending over AU$20 billion to fossil fuel activities during this period.
NAB was the largest lender in 2023, extending AU$1.4 billion
Commonwealth Bank lent the least in 2023 - around AU$271 million - yet still supported projects like the Beetaloo Basin pipeline.
Westpac lent about AU$784 million, including AU$533 million directed toward companies expanding fossil fuels

These loans are estimated to have enabled the release of an additional 9 billion tonnes of CO₂. That is like wiping out Australia's emissions cuts for 2021 to 2030 21 times over.

what should you do? divest, switch, and make your money work for good

Here is how to make your financial choices support sustainability:

check your super fund

Super is often your largest investment pool. Market Forces estimates around AU$150 billion of Australians' retirement savings could be tied to climate-damaging companies. Use tools like comparison tools to find funds that exclude fossil fuels.

switch to greener banking

Many Aussies stick with the big four without realising they are funding pollution. You can switch to banks or credit unions that do not invest in fossil fuels - or at least write to your current provider to demand better.

invest with transparency and purpose

If you are into shares, ETFs, or managed funds, watch out for greenwashing. Check for certification from the Responsible Investment Association Australasia or the Ethical Advisers' Co‑op Leaf rating.

use your power as a shareholder

You can buy into companies causing harm and push for change from the inside via platforms like the Sustainable Investment Exchange.

The good news? Ethical funds often perform well. The RIAA's 2024 report shows responsible investment funds outperformed mainstream ones by 3 percent over 10 years, 1.5 percent over five.

how inaam can help

Sustainability is all about making choices today that protect the planet, support people, and build a fair economy for tomorrow. inaam was built to help you invest in ethical companies that prioritise people and the planet. Even better, it tracks the impact of your investments so you can actually see how your choices are contributing to clean energy, fair wages, and a more sustainable future. With inaam, your money doesn't just grow, it creates change.

final word: let your money speak for the future

Sustainability is not just about what is in your bin. It is ethics, it is economics, it is equity and it applies to your money too.

If you align your cash with clean energy, fair wages, and ethical investing, your dollars do not just sit. They speak.

This is not personal financial advice, it's just a nudge: when you look at money through the lens of the three E's, even a small switch can start making a big difference.

Note: This is general information, not financial advice. Always do your own research or speak to a licensed advisor before investing.

lesson 1: starting small is still starting

You don't need to wait until you've saved thousands.

Thanks to fractional investing and zero-commission trading platforms now common in Australia, including inaam, getting started in investing is easier than ever. You can begin with as little as $20.

The key isn't the amount - it's the habit. Regular, small investments compound over time, turning spare change into serious money. That's the power of compound interestWhen your returns earn their own returns. It's interest on top of interest. The longer you leave it, the more it snowballs..

lesson 2: risk isn't always a bad word

At 22, time is on your side. That means you can take on more risk than someone approaching retirement. While "risk" sounds scary, in investing it often just means volatility, not necessarily losses. The way to manage that volatility? DiversificationSpreading your money across different investments so if one tanks, you're not wiped out. Don't put all your eggs in one basket, basically.. Which is an investing strategy where you spread your money across a range of different assets (like shares, bonds, property, or even different industries and countries rather than putting it all into one. By spreading your investments across different assets, you reduce the chance of one bad bet derailing your progress.

Taking on some volatility in your 20s gives you the chance to capture higher long-term returns, because you've got the time to ride out the bumps.

lesson 3: understand where your money goes

Your money isn't sitting comfortably, its building the world. Every dollar invested is funding something, whether that's fossil fuels, renewable energy, fast fashion, or healthcare.

Most funds publish their holdings and impact reports. By learning how to read a fund's holdings and impact metrics, you can make informed choices about where your money works. For example, the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA) benchmarks which funds are truly responsible.

lesson 4: your values belong in your portfolio

There's a myth that investing is just about chasing returns, and that ethics don't matter. But you don't have to check your values at the door when you put your money to work. Ethical and impact investing has exploded in recent years, giving you more options than ever to support causes you care about like clean energy, gender equality, or affordable housing. Investments in companies like Canadian Solar or Patagonia show that you can back businesses making a difference and earn strong returns.

Investing isn't just about growing your net worth… it's about helping shape the future you want to live in.

lesson 5: avoid the hype

From crypto crashes to TikTok investing tips, there's a lot of noise. One of the best things you can do at 22 is learn to think long-term.

The problem is, chasing the hype often leads to big losses and disappointment. Instead of chasing the next big thing, focus on a simple, diversified, and values-aligned strategy. It's less exciting, but far more effective. The best move you can make at 22? Think long-term. Instead of trying to outsmart the market, focus on a simple, diversified, values-aligned strategy and stick to it. History shows that "boring" investments (like index funds) often outperform the flashy picks over time.

lesson 6: ask questions, always

No one expects you to know everything about investing, especially not at 22. The smartest investors are the ones who keep asking questions, challenging what doesn't make sense, and building their knowledge step by step.

There are free, credible resources to start with: Ask questions, challenge what doesn't make sense, and build your literacy one step at a time.

how inaam helps

At 22, your biggest advantage isn't your salary or savings…it's time. inaam was built to support young people in exactly this stage of life. Whether you're investing $20 or $500, the platform curates custom impact portfolios based on your values. It also shows you exactly how your investments are performing both financially and in terms of social or environmental impact. Beyond investing, inaam is designed to teach you the fundamentals of building wealth and making smart financial decisions, so you grow as an investor over time. Our goal is to give you the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to build long-term, sustainable returns while aligning your money with what matters most to you

final thought

The earlier you start investing, the more freedom you give your future self. Not just financial freedom, but the freedom to shape the world you want to live in.

At 22, you don't need to know everything. You just need to begin.

Note: This is general information, not financial advice. Always do your own research or speak to a licensed advisor before investing.

what does EBITDA mean?

EBITDA Stands for 'Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation'. In plain English, it's a measure of how much money a company earns from its core operations before factoring in government taxes, debt repayments, or accounting adjustments.

Think of it as the "pure" profit number.

example: the fitness studio

Imagine a boutique fitness studio that makes $1 million a year from memberships, training, and merchandise. After covering salaries, rent, equipment upkeep, and marketing, its operating costs total $600,000. That leaves an EBITDA of $400,000, showing how profitable the studio's core operations are before taxes or loan repayments.

For investors, this number makes it clear the studio is more than just popular with clients - it's financially strong and built for growth.

why use EBITDA and what's it useful for?

It gives a clearer picture of how profitable a company is from its core operations - ignoring the noise.

Company Valuations: If we want to compare companies from different industries, such as Beyond Meat and ELF, we can use EBITDA to see which one is more profitable. Because EBITDA focuses only on earnings from a company's main operations, it strips away the effects of taxes, debt, and other financial factors.
Investment Decisions: EBITDA shows how efficiently a company runs its core operations, without being influenced by taxes, debt, or financial strategies that can make profits look higher or lower than they really are.
Growth Tracking: EBITDA is not only used to value businesses during acquisitions or investment decisions, but also to measure how a company's core operations are performing over time.

It's especially useful for start-ups or global businesses operating in countries with very different tax systems.

formula: how to calculate it

There are two common ways to calculate EBITDA:

1. EBITDA = Revenue – Operating Expenses (excluding interest, taxes, depreciation, amortisation)

2. EBITDA = Net Income + Interest + Taxes + Depreciation + Amortisation

*Depreciation: spreading out the cost of physical things like machines or buildings as they wear out.

*Amortization: spreading out the cost of non-physical things like patents or software over time.

EBITDA margin: measuring efficiency

EBITDA Margin = EBITDA / Total Revenue

This shows how good a company is at turning sales into profit. A higher margin is better because it means the company is keeping more money from its sales, showing it runs more efficiently.

limitations

While EBITDA is helpful, it isn't perfect.

Doesn't assess debt repayments or tax burdens: A company might appear profitable on the surface, but in reality, a large portion of its earnings could be going toward paying off loans or covering its tax obligations.
It overlooks long term costs: EBITDA also ignores depreciation and amortization, which are ways of accounting for the wear and tear of assets over time.
It's not the same as cash flow: While EBITDA is often used as a shortcut to estimate cash flow, it isn't a true reflection of the money moving in and out of a business.

how inaam helps

inaam we combine financial indicators like EBITDA with impact data. We will provide and incorporate the definition and real life reflection of what that amount is for each company in the portfolio. That way, you don't just see whether a company is making money, you also see how it makes money, and the broader social and environmental impact of its operations.

final thought

You don't need to be an accountant. By knowing this one metric, you can cut through complexity and get a clearer view of a company's true health - beyond the headlines.

so, what is a portfolio?

A portfolio is simply the collection of investments you own like stocks, crypto, property, bonds, cash, or ETFs. It's your personal mix of assets that grow in value over time and help you build wealth.

Think of it like a playlist: Instead of songs, you have shares in companies, ETFs, or other investments. You can mix it up with different "genres" including stocks, crypto, bonds, property, or even cash.

why you should care (even if you're broke)

Your portfolio is basically your financial future in one snapshot. It shows where your money is working for you and whether it's set up to grow over time. It's pretty much the engine driving your financial future.

Portfolios are not just for finance professionals. If you have ever bought Bitcoin or put money into an investment app, you already have a portfolio.

what makes a good portfolio?

Diversified: Not putting all your money in one place. Spreading your money across different types of investments like stocks, bonds, crypto, or property.
Aligned with goals: Are you saving for a house, or building long-term wealth? Your portfolio should match your timeline.
Reflects your values: Money talks. Use ethical, impact, and climate-focused companies you care about.
Trackable: You want to see how your money's doing, both your returns and the impact you're making.

types of assets in a portfolio

Stocks: When you buy a stock, you're buying a tiny piece of a company.
ETFs: An ETF is like buying a playlist of stocks instead of just one song.
Superannuation: Your super isn't just retirement money sitting around. It's invested in different assets to grow for your future.
Bonds: Loans you give to governments or companies. They pay you interest and are usually more stable.
Crypto: Digital money like Bitcoin or Ethereum. High risk but some see it as a chance for big returns.
Property: Owning real estate. It can grow in value over time and may earn rental income.
Cash: Even money in a high-interest savings account counts as part of your portfolio.

how to build a portfolio in 2025

Step 1: Define Your Goals - Think about what you want to achieve with your investments.
Step 2: Pick the Right Platform - Choose an investing app or service that fits your needs.
Step 3: Invest Consistently - Set up a direct debit. Even small amounts add up.
Step 4: Monitor and Adapt - Check in quarterly. See what is performing well.

what are some risks?

All investments carry risk. A well-diversified portfolio helps you manage that.

Market Fluctuations: What goes up can also come down. These dips are often temporary.
Overconfidence in One Theme: Putting all your money into a single type of investment is a big risk.
Platform Risks: Not all platforms are created equal. Research carefully.
Emotional Decisions: Don't panic sell when prices drop.

how inaam helps

inaam lets you build your portfolio around on what matters the most to you. You choose your values, and it finds listed impact stocks from around the world that match. inaam creates a balanced mix designed to grow your money while making a positive impact.

final thoughts

A portfolio is not just something fancy for older generations. It is your power tool.

Your portfolio is proof that your money means something. Do not just invest. Intentionally build.

Note: This is general information, not financial advice. Always do your own research or speak to a licensed advisor before investing.

what is an ETF?

An ETF is like a shopping basket filled with investments - shares, bonds, or both - that you can buy and sell on the stock market. Instead of buying one company's shares, you get a slice of many at once.

why ETFs are popular

Lower cost than buying individual shares
Instant diversification
Easy to access through most investing or trading platforms
Available in ethical or sustainable themes

types of ETFs

Index ETFs: Track well-known indices like the ASX200 or S&P 500. Buying an Index ETF is like buying a little piece of all 500 companies at once, instead of picking just one.
Thematic ETFs: Focus on trends or industries such as clean energy, robotics, cybersecurity, or future mobility. Great if you want your investments to align with where you think the world is headed.
Ethical ETFs: Aim to include companies that meet certain social, environmental or governance standards. Try researching ethical ETFs such as FAIR, DBBF and ETHI.

examples of popular ETFs

VOO: Vanguard S&P 500 ETF
IVV: iShares Core S&P 500 ETF
QQQ: Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1 ETF
GRNV: VanEck MSCI Australian Sustainable Equity ETF

how to start investing in ETFs

Pick a platform – Choose an investing app or broker that offers the ETFs you want.
Decide your budget – Start with an amount you're comfortable with - even as little as $50.
Set your timeframe – ETFs work best over years, not weeks, because of compound interest.
Keep an eye on performance and fees – Occasionally check how your ETF is performing.

how to evaluate an ETF

What's inside it? Look at the holdings and see what companies are inside it.
What's the fee? This is called the Management Expense Ratio (MER). This can eat into returns.
Does it match your values? See if it uses ESG, SRI, or Impact screening.

beware of greenwashing

Not all ethical ETFs are truly impactful. Some "ethical" ETFs still include questionable companies. Always look under the hood before investing.

how inaam helps

Instead of sifting through endless ETFs yourself, inaam curates a portfolio for you. You tell us your values and we will build you a mix of impact-first investments, including ETFs where they make sense.

final thought

ETFs can be a smart, accessible first step into investing. Just make sure your ETF is as ethical as it claims to be.

Note: This is general information, not financial advice. Always do your own research or speak to a licensed advisor before investing.

what is impact investing?

Impact investing involves allocating funds to ventures that aim to produce measurable positive effects on society and the environment. This could include renewable energy projects, affordable housing initiatives, or companies promoting gender equality.

According to the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), 88% of Australians expect their investments to be responsible and ethical, reflecting a growing trend towards responsible investing.

why it matters in 2025

With challenges like climate change and social inequality becoming more pressing, impact investing offers a way for individuals to contribute to solutions. Investors are increasingly looking for transparency and tangible results from their investments.

The global impact investment market is expanding rapidly, presenting opportunities for investors to support initiatives that align with their values.

getting started with impact investing

You don't need a large sum to begin. Here's how you can start:

1. identify your values

Determine what causes matter most to you - be it environmental sustainability, social justice, or economic development. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can serve as a framework to guide your investment choices.

2. choose the right investment vehicles

Consider various options such as:

Ethical ETFs and Managed Funds: Funds like Australian Ethical's Managed Funds and BetaShares Australian Sustainability Leaders ETF (ASX: FAIR) focus on companies with strong ethical practices.
Direct Investments: Invest directly in companies or projects that align with your values.
Superannuation Funds: Review your super fund's investment options to ensure they reflect your ethical preferences.

Platforms like inaam are also emerging to help bridge this gap. Designed for young Australians, inaam is building a values-based investment platform that curates custom portfolios aligned to your ethics and tracks real-world impact like carbon saved or equality outcomes achieved.

3. monitor the impact

Utilize tools and frameworks to assess the social and environmental impact of your investments. Organizations like inaam and Impact Frontiers provide resources to help investors measure and manage impact effectively.

real-world example

Canadian Solar exemplifies a company making significant strides in sustainability. In 2023, they achieved substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and energy usage, demonstrating a commitment to environmental responsibility.

be aware of greenwashing

Not all investments labeled as "ethical" or "sustainable" meet rigorous standards. It's essential to research and verify the claims of investment products to avoid greenwashing. Look for certifications from reputable organizations and scrutinize the actual holdings of funds to ensure they align with your values.

final thoughts

Impact investing empowers young Australians to align their financial goals with their personal values, contributing to positive societal and environmental change. By starting with clear values, choosing appropriate investment vehicles, and diligently monitoring impact, investors can make meaningful contributions to the world while pursuing financial returns.

Note: This information is general in nature and does not constitute personal financial advice. Always consider seeking advice from a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

what is inaam?

inaam is a multi class, multi asset Unit Trust FundThink of it like a big shared piggy bank. Everyone puts money in and together we invest in lots of different things. not just one type. That's what "multi asset" means.. The Fund is a registered managed investment schemeLike a group project for money. A professional manager picks the investments for everyone in the group, so you don't have to do it alone.: inaam Fund ARSN 691 614 132.

We divide the fund into seven buckets, each focused on a theme like renewable energy or recycling. When you join, we build your own mix of five buckets based on what matters most to you.

what exactly am i investing in?

You are investing in a curated mix of global listed companiesCompanies whose shares you can buy and sell on the stock market, like Apple or Tesla. They're "listed" because they're on a public exchange. that are publicly tradedAnyone can buy or sell shares in these companies through the stock market. It's not some secret club. on major exchanges.

The companies are chosen for their strong financial fundamentalsBasically: are they making money, are they stable, and can they keep going? Think of it like checking if a restaurant is busy and profitable before you invest in it. like profitability and resilience, their record of creating meaningful social or environmental impact, and their alignment with your values.

We are not a trading app and we are not chasing fads. This is long-term investing with purpose.

how do i earn returns?

Your returns come from growth in your investment unitsWhen you put money in, you get "units". like slices of a pizza. If the pizza gets more valuable, each slice is worth more. That's your return. and dividendsSome companies share their profits with investors. It's like getting a bonus payment just for owning a piece of the company. paid by companies in your portfolio.

Track both financial returns and real-world impact side by side in the app.

what features does the app include?

Overview of your investment in the fund based on your values, real-time performance tracking, impact metrics, goal-setting tools, and our Learning Lab. Invest monthly, pause anytime.

is inaam properly licensed?

Yes. inaam is a Corporate Authorised RepresentativeIt means inaam has permission from a bigger licensed company to offer financial products. Like a franchise. they operate under someone else's licence. (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (AFSLAustralian Financial Services Licence. It's the government's way of saying "this company is allowed to handle your money." Without it, they can't legally operate. 430126). inaam manages the Fund under an agreement with Primary Securities Ltd (AFSL 224107).

how much does it cost?

$10 per month (inc GST). That covers the portfolio curationWe pick the companies for you based on research. You don't have to figure out which stocks to buy. we do the homework., the app, the impact tracking, and access to the Learning Lab. We don't charge based on how much you invest. Transparent and simple.

There is a buy-sell spreadA tiny fee (0.1%) when you put money in or take it out. Think of it like the difference between the buy and sell price at a currency exchange. it's how the fund covers transaction costs. of 0.1% when you invest and when you leave. Brokerage fees are paid by the Fund, not you. For full details, read the PDS.

is this financial advice?

No. Everything we provide is general information onlyWe can tell you about investing in general, but we can't tell YOU specifically what to do with YOUR money. For that, you'd need a financial adviser who knows your full situation..

inaam doesn't know your full personal financial situation, so we can't give personal financial advice. If you're unsure, we always recommend speaking to a licensed financial adviser before making any big decisions.

what themes does inaam focus on?

Five impact themes: Health & Wellbeing, Renewable Energy, Waste & Recycling, Sustainable Agriculture, and Conscious Consumption. We tailor your portfolio to what matters most to you.

what is the impact loop?

Once profitable, we commit to reinvesting up to 50% of our profits into youth employment, climate solutions, and community projects led by underrepresented Australians.

the fine print

chatgpt*
the clearance

on february 28, 2026, your favourite AI assistant became a defence contractor. here's what nobody's reading.

series: the fine print published: march 2026

what happened on friday night

On February 28, 2026, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that his company had reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense to deploy its AI models on the Pentagon's classified network. The deal came hours after President Trump ordered all federal agencies to stop using Anthropic's technology and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth designated Anthropic, the company that had actually been running AI on the classified network, a "supply chain risk to national security."

Anthropic's offence was wanting contractual assurance its models wouldn't be used for autonomous weapons or mass surveillance of Americans. The Pentagon called that stance "philosophical" and "woke." Then OpenAI stepped in, claiming it had the same red lines, and struck a deal within hours.

Altman admitted the deal was rushed, telling followers it had generated significant backlash against OpenAI (enough that Anthropic's Claude briefly overtook ChatGPT on the Apple App Store the next day). His justification: OpenAI wanted to de-escalate the standoff between the Pentagon and the AI industry. Whether that reads as principled bridge-building or strategic opportunism depends on which sentence you stop at.

key sources

OpenAI announcement · Axios investigation · TechCrunch follow-up

the timeline nobody asked for

jan 16 2026

OpenAI announces it will start testing ads in ChatGPT for free and Go tier users in the US

feb 9 2026

Ads officially launch in ChatGPT. ad personalization turned on by default. ~$60 CPM. the day after Anthropic ran a Super Bowl ad mocking AI companies for putting ads in chatbots

feb 13 2026

Scholar reports that "safely" was removed from OpenAI's mission statement in its 2024 IRS filing. mission has been rewritten 6 times in 9 years

feb 27 2026

OpenAI closes $110B funding round. $840B post-money. Amazon $50B, Nvidia $30B, SoftBank $30B. largest private raise in history

feb 27 2026

Trump orders all agencies to stop using Anthropic. Hegseth designates Anthropic a supply-chain risk. same day as the funding round

feb 28 2026

Altman announces Pentagon classified network deal. friday night. same night U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran begin

mar 1 2026

Altman admits deal was "definitely rushed" and "the optics don't look good." Claude overtakes ChatGPT on Apple App Store

Six weeks. Ads on your conversations. "Safely" removed from the mission. $110 billion raised. Pentagon classified network. That is one company's February.

what the deal actually says

The contract includes three explicit red lines: no mass domestic surveillance, no autonomous weapons, no high-stakes automated decisions like social credit systems. Deployment is cloud-only, meaning the models aren't installed on drones or edge hardware. OpenAI retains full control of its safety stack, and cleared safety researchers remain in the loop for classified workflows.

These are real protections. Cloud-only deployment is meaningful. In-the-loop safety researchers provide oversight that previous AI defence contracts didn't have. OpenAI publicly opposing Anthropic's supply-chain risk designation was worth noting. They didn't have to say that.

The asterisk: these are contractual protections, not statutory ones. They exist because OpenAI negotiated them, not because a law requires them. If a future administration wants to renegotiate, or if operational pressures make the safety stack inconvenient, the enforcement mechanism is a contract dispute, not a criminal offence. As critics have noted, the legal scaffolding still leaves room for broad data collection.

Or, to put it in language the carousel would: the pentagon says it won't spy on you, build weapons with your data, or deny you social services. But they are super trustworthy, right?

the ads in your conversations

Three weeks before the Pentagon deal, OpenAI launched advertising in ChatGPT. Ads appear at the bottom of responses for free and Go tier users. They're contextually matched to your conversation. Ad personalization is turned on by default. OpenAI says conversations aren't shared with advertisers and ads don't influence responses.

But here's what sits uncomfortably next to that: the same conversations that are now generating ad revenue also share infrastructure with a classified military network. Not the same servers, but the same company, the same model architecture, the same safety stack. Your recipe query and a military intelligence triage run through different instances of the same system built by the same engineers under the same corporate umbrella. Altman said the ads were necessary because "a lot of people want to use a lot of AI and don't want to pay." What he didn't say: the same month the ads launched, the company's infrastructure entered a classified military environment.

the mission statement that keeps changing

OpenAI's mission has been rewritten six times in nine years. The original, filed in 2016: "advance digital intelligence in the way that is most likely to benefit humanity as a whole, unconstrained by a need to generate financial return." The current version: "to ensure that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity."

Each revision removed a constraint. "Unconstrained by financial return" went first. "Openly share our plans" went next. In 2024, "safely" was removed. The same year the company reversed its ban on military applications. The same year it began pursuing the Pentagon contract it signed on a Friday night in February 2026.

OpenAI has also reportedly disbanded its mission alignment team. The word is gone. The team responsible for ensuring alignment with the mission is gone. What's left: a $840 billion for-profit public benefit corporation with ads, a Pentagon deal, a planned IPO, and no published environmental data.

the water and the silence

OpenAI has never published a sustainability report. No Scope 1, 2, or 3Three categories of carbon emissions. Scope 1 is what a company produces directly (like its own factories). Scope 2 is from the energy it buys. Scope 3 is everything else in the supply chain. Scope 3 is usually the biggest and hardest to measure. emissions. No net-zero target. No total energy consumption data. The company is one of the most opaque major technology companies in the world on environmental metrics.

What we know from external research: ChatGPT's estimated daily water consumption, using the lifecycle methodology from UC Riverside researchers, is approximately 7.5 million litres per day. That's enough to fill three Olympic swimming pools. Every day. AI systems collectively were estimated to produce 32.6 to 79.7 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2025, roughly comparable to New York City's annual emissions. Microsoft, which provides OpenAI's primary compute infrastructure, saw its emissions rise 29% since 2020.

Now add classified military compute to that footprint. Compute that, by definition, cannot be publicly audited.

the circular money

Amazon invested $50 billion. OpenAI committed to spend $100 billion back on Amazon Web Services over eight years. Nvidia invested $30 billion. OpenAI will deploy 5 gigawatts of Nvidia's Vera Rubin hardware. The investors are also the suppliers. The money goes out one door and comes back through another. This isn't illegal or unusual in tech, but it does mean the "value" of OpenAI is partly a function of its own spending commitments to the people valuing it.

what this means

ChatGPT is still the app you used this morning. You asked it about your weird dream. It showed you an ad afterwards. The prompts still work the same way.

But the company behind it has changed. A nonprofit research lab became an $840 billion for-profit corporation with a classified military contract, ads in your conversations, a planned IPO, and no published environmental data. In eleven years. The word "safely" was in the mission statement. Then it wasn't. The company banned military applications. Then it didn't. The CEO said the optics don't look good. Then he signed anyway. On a Friday night.

If they don't care about you or the planet, maybe you should read the fine print.

disclaimer: this content is produced by inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd. inaam is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1297689) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126) (NCA). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) (Primary) is the Responsible Entity of the iNaam Impact Investments Fund (Fund). this article provides general information only. it does not constitute financial advice, a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any financial product, or an endorsement of any investment strategy. past performance is not indicative of future results. all claims are sourced and hyperlinked. where data is estimated or ranges are cited, the methodology and source are disclosed. readers should conduct their own research before making investment decisions. inaam is not affiliated with OpenAI, Microsoft, Anthropic, Amazon, Nvidia, SoftBank, or any entity discussed in this report.

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the fine print

tesla*
the charge

$97.7 billion revenue. $9 billion from selling carbon credits to polluters. lithium mines draining the driest desert on earth. here's what nobody's reading.

series: the fine print published: march 2026

the company

Tesla, Inc. is led by CEO Elon Musk, headquartered in Austin, Texas. In 2024, Tesla reported total revenue of US$97.7 billion and delivered approximately 1.79 million vehicles. Despite selling fewer cars than Toyota sells in a single quarter, Tesla's market cap hovered around US$800 billion to over US$1 trillion, worth more than Toyota, Volkswagen, GM, Ford, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, and Stellantis combined.

US$97.7B

Tesla's 2024 revenue. roughly 79% from cars. the rest from energy storage, services, and selling carbon credits to competitors.

the good stuff

Tesla made electric vehicles desirable. Before the Model S in 2012, the EV market was golf-cart-adjacent city cars. Tesla proved an electric car could be fast, good-looking, and road-trip viable. That forced every major automaker to accelerate electrification.

The Supercharger network exceeds 60,000 connectors globally. In 2024, Ford, GM, and Rivian adopted Tesla's NACS charging standard. Tesla's Megapack deployed 31.4 GWh of energy storage in 2024, more than double the prior year. The Hornsdale Power Reserve in South Australia saved consumers A$150 million in its first two years.

Tesla has delivered over 7 million electric vehicles since 2012. Lifecycle analyses consistently show EVs produce significantly fewer emissions than petrol or diesel vehicles.

the lithium paradox

Every Tesla battery contains lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese. Lithium extraction in Chile's Atacama Desert consumes approximately 2,000 litres of water per kilogram of lithium. Indigenous Atacameno communities have reported falling water tables, dying flamingo populations, and degradation of salt flat ecosystems.

~2,000 litres

water consumed per kilogram of lithium produced. a single Tesla Model Y battery requires roughly 10-15 kg of lithium.

Amnesty International has documented child labour in DRC cobalt mines. Tesla's LFP cells contain no cobalt, but higher-range variants still use nickel-cobalt-manganese chemistries. Nickel mining in Indonesia has driven deforestation and toxic waste dumping.

the autopilot question

Tesla claims one crash per 7.63 million miles with Autopilot versus one per 670,000 miles nationally. The name "Full Self-Driving" remains Level 2 driver-assistance requiring constant human supervision.

Safety researchers have criticised Tesla's comparisons as misleading. Autopilot is used primarily on highways in good conditions, while the national average includes all road types and driver impairment. The NHTSA's analysis found Autopilot's benefits less clear than Tesla's data suggested.

In December 2023, Tesla recalled over 2 million vehicles after NHTSA found the driver monitoring system insufficient. The California DMV settled with Tesla over misleading FSD advertising.

the factory and the workforce

A Reveal investigation found Tesla had a pattern of underreporting workplace injuries at Fremont. Tesla is the only major U.S. automaker without a unionised workforce. The NLRB found Tesla unlawfully fired a union organiser and restricted union insignia.

In 2023, a California jury awarded US$3.2 million to a former Black employee who experienced racial harassment. A broader lawsuit from California's Civil Rights Department alleged systemic racial discrimination at the facility.

the carbon credit business

Tesla has earned a cumulative US$9 billion+ in regulatory credit revenue since 2009. In 2024, credits contributed approximately US$2.07 billion.

~US$9B+

cumulative carbon creditPermits that allow a company to emit a certain amount of CO2. Companies can buy or sell them. It's like a pollution budget. revenue. Tesla profits from other automakers' failure to decarbonise.

Tesla's credit revenue depends on other companies continuing to sell polluting vehicles. Stellantis was historically one of Tesla's largest credit buyers, purchasing credits so it could continue selling large SUVs in Europe. The net emissions reduction from this arrangement is zero — the credits redistribute who gets to pollute, not whether pollution happens.

what this means for your money

Tesla is a component of the S&P 500, added in December 2020, typically among the top 10 holdings by weight. If you have Australian super with international equity allocations, you almost certainly own Tesla.

Your retirement savings are exposed to a company that simultaneously accelerated the global EV transition and sells carbon credits to companies that haven't. A company with a genuine clean energy business and documented racial discrimination lawsuits. A company whose CEO's public conduct has become a material risk factor investors openly discuss.

In 2022, Tesla shares fell 65%. In 2023, they recovered 102%. That is not a stock priced on fundamentals. Knowing what you own, and what the asterisk is — that's just reading the fine print.

key sources

Tesla Investor Relations · Amnesty International · Reuters

disclaimer: this content is produced by inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. inaam is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). this article provides general information only. it does not constitute financial advice. all investments carry risk. consider the PDS and TMD before investing. inaam is not affiliated with Tesla, Inc. or any entity discussed in this report.

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the fine print

your super fund*
the default

$4 trillion in savings. $43 billion in fossil fuels. chosen by your employer's payroll department. here's what nobody's reading.

series: the fine print published: march 2026

the system

Australia's superannuation system holds above $4 trillion in total assets, managed by roughly 140 APRAAustralian Prudential Regulation Authority. They oversee banks, super funds, and insurers to make sure your money is handled properly. Think of them as the safety inspector for financial institutions.-regulated funds. Employers contribute 11.5% of ordinary time earnings, rising to 12% by July 2025. It's compulsory. You don't opt in.

$4T+

total Australian superannuation assets. larger than the country's GDP. the fourth-largest pension pool in the world.

The median balance for a 30-34 year old is around $45,000. Women retire with roughly 25% less super than men. About 40% of accounts are in default MySuperA standardised, low-cost default super product that every super fund has to offer. If you never chose a specific option, this is probably where your super sits. products.

the good stuff

The Mercer Global Pension Index consistently ranks Australia in the top tier globally. The median growth fund returned around 8.1% per annum over the 10 years to June 2024. MySuper, introduced in 2014, created a standardised default product with capped fees.

where your super actually goes

A typical MySuper "balanced" portfolio: Australian equities 20-25%, international equities 25-35%, fixed income 10-15%, property 5-10%, infrastructure 5-15%, alternatives 5-10%, cash 3-8%. Roughly half your super is in shares.

AustralianSuper, with over $340 billion in assets, holds significant positions in BHP, CBA, CSL, and Woodside. Your $45,000 default balance is a rounding error to these funds, but collectively, millions of default members make up the majority of assets.

the fossil fuel exposure

Market Forces tracks fossil fuel investments across super funds. The largest default funds hold billions in fossil fuel companies.

$43B+

estimated fossil fuel holdings across Australia's largest super funds.

AustralianSuper held an estimated $14+ billion in fossil fuel companies including Woodside and Santos. Some funds have started moving — HESTA has excluded thermal coal and oil sands. But most default MySuper products still track broad indices, and those indices include fossil fuel companies by design.

Fossil fuel exposure figures are estimates based on publicly disclosed holdings and may not capture indirect exposures through unlisted assets or private equity. Always check your fund's current disclosure.

the fees eating your retirement

ASIC's MoneySmart calculator shows: on a $50,000 starting balance with $10,000 annual contributions over 40 years at 7% return, the difference between 0.5% and 1.5% in fees is approximately $390,000. Same contributions. Same gross return. The only difference is fees.

~$390K

the difference in retirement savings between a 0.5% fee fund and a 1.5% fee fund over 40 years.

Default insurance premiums are deducted from your balance, often without you realising. The Productivity Commission found default insurance was eroding balances for low-income members and young workers.

the performance illusion

S&P's SPIVA scorecard shows that over 15-year periods, roughly 85% of Australian active equity managers underperform their benchmark index after fees. Benchmark-hugging (closet indexing) is common — AFR research identified funds with correlation coefficients above 0.95 with their benchmark while charging active fees.

what this means for your money

You can change where your super goes. It takes about 20 minutes. ASIC's MoneySmart site walks you through the process.

Australian Ethical Super screens out fossil fuels, weapons, tobacco, and gambling. Future Super has a zero fossil fuel commitment. Both are APRA-regulated with MySuper products you can compare on the ATO's YourSuper comparison tool.

Your default super fund was chosen by your employer's payroll department. Your investment option was chosen by nobody. Your fossil fuel exposure was chosen by an index. None of those decisions were yours. They can be.

key sources

APRA · Market Forces · Productivity Commission

disclaimer: this content is produced by inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. inaam is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). this article provides general information only. it does not constitute financial advice. consider the PDS and TMD before making investment decisions. inaam is not affiliated with AustralianSuper, Australian Ethical, Future Super, or any super fund discussed in this article.

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the fine print

the s&p 500*
the index

500 companies. ~10% annual returns. fossil fuels, weapons manufacturers, and a concentration problem nobody talks about. here's what nobody's reading.

series: the fine print published: march 2026

the index

The S&P 500Standard & Poor's 500. An index that tracks 500 of the biggest companies in the US. When people say "the market," they usually mean this. It's the benchmark almost everything gets compared to. tracks 500 of the largest publicly traded companies in the United States, maintained by S&P Dow Jones Indices. As of early 2025, it represented roughly US$50 trillion in total market capitalisation, covering approximately 80% of available U.S. equity market value.

When people say "the market was up today," they usually mean the S&P 500. It's become shorthand for American capitalism itself.

the good stuff

The S&P 500 has delivered an average annualised return of roughly 10.26% since 1957. No active fund manager has consistently beaten it over a 20-year period, which is why Warren Buffett has spent decades telling ordinary investors to just buy an S&P 500 index fundA fund that copies a stock market index (like the S&P 500) instead of trying to beat it. You get the whole market, good and bad. and leave it alone.

~10.26%

average annualised return of the S&P 500 since 1957, before inflation.

Low-cost index funds, pioneered by Jack Bogle at Vanguard in 1976, turned the S&P 500 from a benchmark into a product. Today you can buy the entire index for an expense ratio of 0.03%. Index investing has arguably done more to democratise wealth building than any single financial product in history.

you own everything

When you invest in an S&P 500 index fund, you don't get to pick. You buy all 500 companies in proportion to their market cap weight. The fund manager doesn't screen for ethics, environmental impact, or labour practices. That's the entire point of passive indexing.

So your retirement savings, your child's education fund, your monthly investment habit: all of it flows proportionally into every company in the index. Including the ones making weapons. Including the ones drilling for oil. You didn't choose those companies. But you own them.

the fossil fuel holdings

The S&P 500's energy sector represented approximately 3.4% of the index as of late 2024. Major fossil fuel companies include ExxonMobil (~1.2%), Chevron (~0.7%), and ConocoPhillips (~0.3%).

~$34

of every $1,000 invested in the S&P 500 goes to fossil fuel companies.

Sector weights shift with market conditions. These figures reflect late 2024/early 2025 data. Check current holdings for live data.

ExxonMobil alone produced 3.7 billion barrels of oil equivalent in 2023. When you own the index, you own a proportional share of that output. Not metaphorically. Literally.

the weapons manufacturers

The S&P 500 includes every major American defence contractor. Lockheed Martin, RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon), Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics. Combined, aerospace and defence companies account for roughly 1.5-2% of the index.

RTX manufactures the Patriot missile system. Lockheed Martin builds the F-35 fighter jet. Northrop Grumman produces the B-21 stealth bomber. These aren't side projects. They are the core revenue streams.

the concentration problem

As of early 2025, the top 10 holdings accounted for approximately 37% of the entire index. The "Magnificent 7" (Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta, Tesla) alone represented roughly 30%.

~37%

of the S&P 500 concentrated in just the top 10 holdings. in the early 2000s, it was closer to 20%.

When you "diversify" into the S&P 500, more than a third of your money goes into ten companies. Apple alone has been as high as 7%. The bottom 200 companies combined might equal the weight of a single top-5 holding.

what this means for your money

Passive investing gets treated as a neutral act. But buying the market is a choice with specific consequences. You're choosing to allocate capital in exact proportion to what's already large, regardless of what those companies do.

Alternatives exist. ESG-screened indices like the S&P 500 ESG Index exclude the lowest-scoring companies. Fossil-fuel-free funds exist. So do indices that exclude weapons manufacturers.

At inaam, we build curated portfolios that screen for the things that matter to our members. You get market exposure without the fossil fuels, without the weapons, and without pretending that passive means neutral. Consider our PDS and TMD before making any investment decisions.

key sources

S&P Global · Reuters · ExxonMobil

disclaimer: this content is produced by inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. inaam is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). this article provides general information only. it does not constitute financial advice. readers should conduct their own research before making investment decisions. inaam is not affiliated with S&P Dow Jones Indices, Vanguard, or any entity discussed in this article.

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the fine print

your bank account*
the vault

$30 billion in combined profit. $57 billion in fossil fuel lending since Paris. a royal commission that found fees charged to dead people. here's what nobody's reading.

series: the fine print published: march 2026

the big four

Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, NAB, and ANZ. Four banks that between them hold approximately $4.5 trillion in total assets and control roughly 75% of all Australian household deposits.

In FY2024, the Big 4 reported combined cash profits of approximately $30.1 billion. Australia has 26 million people. Per capita, Australian banks extract more profit from their customers than almost any comparable system on earth.

$30.1B

combined Big 4 cash profit in FY2024. roughly $1,150 per Australian resident.

the good stuff

Australian banks are regulated by APRA. Australia's banking system survived the 2008 GFC without a single bank failure. The Financial Claims Scheme guarantees deposits up to $250,000 per person per ADI.

Digital banking is genuinely good. Real-time payments via the New Payments Platform, PayID, instant transfers. CBA's app consistently ranks among the best globally.

where your deposits actually go

Under fractional reserve banking, your bank lends out roughly 70-80 cents of every dollar deposited. Mostly into home loans (60-65% of domestic loan books). The rest goes to business lending, commercial property, infrastructure, agriculture, and resource extraction.

When a bank provides a $2 billion project finance facility to a new gas field, the capital backing those loans includes your deposits. Your savings account is part of the system that funds these projects.

the fossil fuel problem

Since the Paris Agreement in 2015, Australia's Big 4 banks have provided approximately $57 billion in lending and underwriting to fossil fuel companies, according to Market Forces.

~$57B

in fossil fuel financing by Australia's Big 4 banks since the Paris Agreement.

Australia is the world's second-largest coal exporter. The Big 4 are the primary domestic financiers of that industry. When your savings sit in a Big 4 account earning 0.01% interest, part of the lending capacity those deposits create is directed toward projects incompatible with the climate targets Australia signed up to in Paris.

Fossil fuel financing figures vary by methodology. Market Forces uses a broad definition including project finance, corporate lending, and bond underwriting. The banks' own disclosures use narrower definitions. The gap between these numbers is itself informative.

the fees you don't see

The headline savings rate at a Big 4 bank is often 0.01% to 0.10%. The RBA cash rate sits at 4.10%. The gap is the net interest margin, averaging 1.7-1.9% for the Big 4. That margin is your invisible fee.

Neobanks like Up and ING Australia offer no monthly fees, no international transaction fees, and savings rates 2-4 percentage points higher.

the royal commission

Commissioner Kenneth Hayne's final report in 2019 found systemic misconduct: fees charged to dead people, advice from unlicensed advisers, "fees for no service" totalling over $5 billion in remediation.

$5B+

in customer remediation for "fees for no service" and related misconduct across the industry.

CBA paid a $700 million AUSTRAC penalty for 23,000+ AML breaches. Westpac paid $1.3 billion for 23 million breaches, including failures to report transactions linked to child exploitation.

what this means for your money

Your deposits are safe in the regulatory sense. APRA oversight is real. The deposit guarantee is real. But your deposits are also part of a lending pool that finances fossil fuel extraction, charges you invisible margins, and was built by institutions that charged dead customers for financial advice until a Royal Commission made them stop.

Alternatives exist. Bank Australia is customer-owned and publishes a responsible banking policy excluding fossil fuels. Credit unions and mutual banks are APRA-regulated with the same $250K guarantee.

The Big 4 aren't evil. They're rational profit-maximising institutions doing exactly what their structure incentivises them to do. The question is whether those defaults align with what you'd choose if someone actually showed you the fine print.

key sources

Market Forces · Royal Commission · AUSTRAC

disclaimer: this content is produced by inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. inaam is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). this article provides general information only. it does not constitute financial advice. readers should conduct their own research before making investment decisions. inaam is not affiliated with CBA, Westpac, NAB, ANZ, Bank Australia, or any entity discussed in this report.

← back to the asterisk project

the fine print

apple*
the orchard

the most valuable company on earth. 2.2 billion devices. cobalt mines, factory floors, and a 0.005% tax rate. here's what nobody's reading.

series: the fine print published: march 2026

the company

Apple Inc. is the most valuable public company on earth, with a market capitalisation around US$3.4 trillion. In fiscal year 2024, the company reported US$391 billion in revenue and US$93.7 billion in net income. There are over 2.2 billion active Apple devices worldwide.

$391B

Apple's FY2024 revenue. More than the GDP of Denmark.

Apple is the largest single holding in the S&P 500, typically representing around 7% of the entire index.

the good stuff

Apple's corporate operations have been carbon neutral since 2020. Apple Park runs on 100% renewable energy. The supplier clean energy programme has committed over 16 gigawatts of clean energy across its supply chain, with more than 300 suppliers pledging 100% renewable electricity for Apple production.

Daisy can disassemble 23 models of iPhone at 200 per hour. App Tracking Transparency cost the advertising industry an estimated US$10 billion in revenue in its first year.

Apple's carbon neutrality covers corporate operations only (Scope 1 and 2), not the full product lifecycle. Manufacturing, shipping, and customer use (Scope 3) account for the vast majority of Apple's carbon footprint.

the cobalt and the lithium

Every iPhone, MacBook, iPad, and Apple Watch contains a lithium-ion battery requiring cobalt and lithium. About 60% of the world's cobalt comes from the DRC, where artisanal mining operations have been documented using child labour by Amnesty International and the UN.

Apple has mapped 100% of its cobalt supply chain back to the smelter level and increased the use of recycled cobalt in its batteries.

Amnesty International argues that Apple's auditing process still cannot guarantee the absence of child-mined cobalt. The gap between auditing and guaranteeing remains open.

Lithium extraction in the Atacama Desert consumes roughly 2 million litres of water per tonne, in one of the driest places on the planet.

the upgrade cycle

The average iPhone is replaced every three to four years. Apple sells roughly 220-230 million iPhones per year. Global e-waste reached 62 million tonnes per year as of 2022.

62M tonnes

global e-waste generated per year. less than 25% is formally recycled.

In 2017, Apple admitted to deliberately throttling older iPhones with degraded batteries, paying US$113 million to settle and US$500 million in a class action.

The iPhone 16 earned a 7 out of 10 repairability score from iFixit, the highest for any iPhone. Progress is real, and it was dragged there by legislation and public pressure.

the factory floor

In 2010, a cluster of worker suicides at Foxconn's Longhua plant made global news. The company's response included installing safety nets around dormitory buildings.

300,000

peak workforce at Foxconn's Zhengzhou plant. a single facility with a population larger than most Australian suburbs combined.

During COVID lockdowns in 2022, workers clashed with security and fled the facility on foot, walking along highways to escape inadequate conditions.

the tax geography

In 2016, the European Commission ruled Ireland had granted Apple up to EUR 13 billion in illegal state aid, allowing an effective tax rate of 0.005% on European profits. In 2024, the European Court of Justice ordered Apple to repay the full amount.

Apple held over US$252 billion in cash overseas. Its reported effective tax rate sits around 15-16% versus a US statutory rate of 21%.

what this means for your money

If you own an index fund, a super fund that tracks the market, or any diversified equity portfolio, you almost certainly own Apple shares. You didn't choose it. It was chosen by market weight.

You get the revenue and the recycling robots and the privacy features. You also get the cobalt supply chain, the factory conditions, the tax structures, and the e-waste. The S&P 500 doesn't separate the good stuff from the asterisk. It just gives you the whole company.

Apple is not a villain. It is arguably the most operationally excellent company in consumer technology. Its environmental commitments are further along than most peers. And none of that changes what happens in a cobalt mine in the DRC, or on a factory floor in Zhengzhou, or in a tax office in Dublin. Those things coexist. That's the fine print.

key sources

Amnesty International · European Commission · The Guardian

disclaimer: this content is produced by inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. inaam is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). this article provides general information only. it does not constitute financial advice. readers should conduct their own research before making investment decisions. inaam is not affiliated with Apple Inc., Foxconn, or any entity discussed in this report.

← back to the asterisk project

the fine print

tiktok*
the scroll

1.5 billion people watch. zero sustainability reports published. we read the label anyway.

series: the fine print published: march 2026

the company

TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a privately held Chinese technology company founded in 2012. ByteDance is headquartered in Beijing, with TikTok's operational headquarters in Singapore and Los Angeles.

As of 2024, TikTok had over 1.5 billion monthly active users. ByteDance's internal valuation has been estimated at around $300 billion, making it the most valuable private company in the world. TikTok's advertising revenue alone was estimated at $23 billion in 2024.

The company has never gone public. It has no independent board. Its ownership structure runs through a web of Cayman Islands holding entities that make a full shareholder map genuinely difficult to trace.

$23B

estimated TikTok ad revenue in 2024. roughly $15 per user per year. you are the product being sold.

the good stuff

TikTok's creator economy is real. The platform has paid out over $1 billion through its Creator Fund since launch. A 2023 Oxford Economics study estimated the platform contributed $24.2 billion to US GDP and supported 224,000 jobs.

BookTok has been credited with driving a measurable increase in book sales. Small bakeries, bookshops, independent perfumers who went from zero to fully booked off a single video. Those are real positives. They're also the exact positives that make the next sections harder to sit with.

the data appetite

TikTok's privacy policy describes one of the most comprehensive data collection regimes of any consumer app: device identifiers, browsing history, clipboard contents, keystroke patterns, faceprints and voiceprints, GPS location, and inferences about your age, gender, and interests. It tracks how long you watch each video, where you pause, what you rewatch, and what you skip.

~95 mins/day

average daily TikTok usage for users aged 18-24. that's 578 hours a year generating behavioural data.

In 2023, ByteDance admitted that employees had accessed the data of US journalists to track internal leaks. The employees were fired. The admission confirmed what privacy researchers had warned about.

The full extent of data shared between TikTok and ByteDance's other products (Douyin, Toutiao, Lark) remains unclear. TikTok says data environments are separate. Independent audits confirming this have not been made public.

the energy behind the scroll

TikTok has never published a sustainability report. No carbon footprint. No Scope 1, 2, or 3 emissions disclosure. No net-zero commitment. No renewable energy targets. Nothing.

0

sustainability reports published by TikTok or ByteDance. zero. ever. compare that to Meta (annual since 2012) or Google (annual since 2009).

Researchers at The Shift Project estimated online video streaming generates approximately 300 million tonnes of CO2 annually. TikTok serves over 1 billion videos per day, and its algorithm is specifically designed to maximise watch time, meaning it's optimised to increase energy consumption by design.

the algorithm and your brain

TikTok's recommendation algorithm optimises for a metric ByteDance internally calls "time spent". The full-screen format eliminates distractions. Autoplay removes choice friction. Infinite scroll has no natural stopping point.

A 2024 study presented to the US Congress found 1 in 3 teens reported using TikTok "almost constantly." The American Psychological Association issued an advisory in 2023 warning that algorithmically curated feeds were associated with increased anxiety, depression, and body image issues in adolescents.

1 in 3

US teenagers reported using TikTok "almost constantly" in 2024.

Australia's Online Safety Amendment Act 2024 set a minimum age of 16 for social media access, with TikTok explicitly in scope.

the creator fund problem

The original Creator Fund paid creators $0.02 to $0.04 per 1,000 views. A video with a million views might earn $20-40. TikTok generated $23 billion in ad revenue in 2024. The Creator Fund paid out roughly $1 billion total across its entire existence.

~0.4%

estimated share of TikTok's cumulative ad revenue returned to creators. YouTube's equivalent: 55% of ad revenue goes directly to creators.

nov 2017

ByteDance acquires Musical.ly for ~$1 billion. merges it into TikTok

aug 2020

Trump signs executive order to ban TikTok. blocked by courts. download numbers spike

dec 2022

ByteDance admits employees accessed US journalists' data to track leaks

mar 2023

TikTok CEO Shou Chew testifies before US Congress. five hours. doesn't go well

apr 2024

Biden signs the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act. ~9 months to sell or face a ban

nov 2024

Australia passes minimum age 16 for social media. TikTok explicitly in scope

jan 2025

TikTok briefly goes dark in the US. Trump signs 75-day extension

what this means for your money

TikTok is private, so you can't buy its shares directly. But the companies that power TikTok's infrastructure are publicly listed and almost certainly in your super fund. You hold Oracle, which hosts TikTok's US data. You hold Nvidia, whose GPUs train the recommendation algorithm. You're not invested in TikTok. You're invested in the infrastructure that makes TikTok possible.

Default investing means you don't choose what you own. The index doesn't ask whether the company publishes a sustainability report, or whether its algorithm maximises compulsive usage in teenagers. The index doesn't have an opinion. It just holds everything.

inaam exists for the people who want to know what they hold. Not to tell you TikTok is bad. But to make sure that when you invest, you've read the fine print.

key sources

Business of Apps · Forbes · American Psychological Association

disclaimer: this content is produced by inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. inaam is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). this article provides general information only. it does not constitute financial advice. readers should conduct their own research before making investment decisions. inaam is not affiliated with ByteDance, TikTok, Oracle, or any entity discussed in this report.

← back to the asterisk project

the fine print

nike*
the swoosh

$51.4 billion in revenue. 14 kg of CO2 per pair of shoes. $4.3 billion on marketing, $100 million on community. here's what nobody's reading.

series: the fine print published: march 2026

the company

Nike, Inc. is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, and is the largest sportswear company on earth. In fiscal year 2024, Nike reported revenue of US$51.4 billion and employed approximately 79,400 people directly. Nike doesn't make its own products. It contracts over 500 factories across 35+ countries, mostly in Vietnam, Indonesia, and China. The swoosh is a design, a stock ticker, and one of the most recognised symbols on the planet. What it isn't is a factory.

$51.4B

Nike FY2024 revenue. Roughly the GDP of Luxembourg.

the good stuff

Nike's Move to Zero initiative is the company's headline environmental play. Parts of it are real. Nike's owned-and-operated facilities now run on 96% renewable energy as of FY2023. Its Tier 1 factories have been publicly disclosed since 2005, ahead of most of the industry. Nike Grind has diverted over 1 billion pounds of waste from landfill.

Flyknit technology reduces waste by around 60% compared to traditional cut-and-sew. The Nike Forward material generates roughly 75% fewer carbon emissions than traditional knit fleece.

the supply chain

In the 1990s, Nike became the textbook case for sweatshop labour. Phil Knight in 1998 acknowledged that "the Nike product has become synonymous with slave wages, forced overtime, and arbitrary abuse."

Since then, Nike has built one of the more comprehensive supply chain monitoring systems in sportswear. But average wages in key manufacturing countries remain low. A garment worker in Vietnam making Nike shoes earns roughly US$250-350 per month, which often falls below what researchers define as a living wage.

Exact current average wage figures for Nike factory workers are not independently verified on a per-brand basis. The ranges cited are from industry-wide estimates by the Clean Clothes Campaign and the Global Living Wage Coalition.

Nike's own FY23 impact report acknowledged that roughly 15% of audited factories were flagged for non-compliance on at least one labour standard.

the environmental cost of a sneaker

A single pair of running shoes generates approximately 14 kg of CO2 equivalent, according to an MIT study. Most of that comes from manufacturing, not materials.

~14 kg CO2

per pair of running shoes. Nike produces over 900 million pairs per year.

Nike produces over 900 million pairs of footwear annually. A polyester-and-rubber sneaker takes an estimated 30 to 40 years to decompose.

the marketing machine

In FY2024, Nike spent US$4.3 billion on "demand creation". By comparison, Nike's community investments sit around US$100 million per year.

$4.3B vs ~$100M

Nike's annual marketing spend versus its annual community investment. A 43:1 ratio.

LeBron James's lifetime deal is reportedly worth over US$1 billion. A factory worker in Vietnam making those shoes earns somewhere around US$3,000-4,000 per year. One athlete's endorsement deal could pay the annual wages of roughly 250,000 factory workers.

the greenwashing question

Nike's total Scope 1, 2, and 3 greenhouse gas emissions were approximately 10.5 million metric tonnes of CO2e in FY2023. While Nike's owned facilities are nearly all renewable, Scope 3 emissions (the supply chain, logistics, end-of-life) account for over 95% of the total. The part Nike controls directly is the part that's already clean. The part it doesn't control is nearly all of the problem.

The 96% renewable energy figure is real. But it covers about 5% of total emissions. That's the asterisk.

what this means for your money

Nike is a component of the S&P 500 and virtually every major global index fund. If you have superannuation in Australia, there is a high probability your default fund holds Nike.

That's the gap inaam exists in. Not to tell you Nike is good or bad, but to make sure you know what you own and why. The swoosh on your feet and the swoosh in your retirement account are the same company, making the same choices, with the same asterisks.

key sources

MIT · Clean Clothes Campaign · Nike FY23 Impact Report

disclaimer: this content is produced by inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. inaam is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). this article provides general information only. it does not constitute financial advice. readers should conduct their own research before making investment decisions. consider the PDS and TMD before investing. inaam is not affiliated with Nike, Inc. or any entity discussed in this report.

← back to the asterisk project

the fine print

instagram*
the grid

2 billion monthly users. $268 per user per year in ad revenue. meta's own research said it harms teen girls. here's what nobody's reading.

series: the fine print published: march 2026

the company

Instagram is owned by Meta Platforms, Inc., headquartered in Menlo Park, California. Mark Zuckerberg bought Instagram in 2012 for $1 billion when it had 30 million users. It now has over 2 billion monthly active users.

Instagram is not a standalone company. It does not file its own earnings, publish its own sustainability report, or disclose its own energy consumption. Everything runs through Meta.

Meta reported $164.5 billion in total revenue for 2024, virtually all from advertising. Instagram is estimated to contribute over half of Meta's total ad revenue, making it the company's most important product by revenue.

2B+

monthly active users. roughly one in four people on earth opening the same app.

the good stuff

Instagram genuinely works for small businesses. Over 200 million businesses use Instagram, and 90% of users follow at least one business. For independent shops and creators, especially in communities that traditional media has historically ignored, Instagram is the storefront, the marketing department, and the customer service desk.

The creator economy that Instagram helped build is now worth an estimated $250 billion globally, according to Goldman Sachs. Reels, Stories, and Shopping tools have given people ways to make a living that didn't exist fifteen years ago.

None of this erases what comes next. But pretending it doesn't exist would be dishonest.

the attention machine

The average user spends approximately 33 minutes per day on Instagram. For users under 25, it's closer to 50 minutes. The algorithm tracks what you linger on, what you rewatch, what you screenshot. Instagram's own ranking explainer confirms that predicted interest, timeliness, and relationship drive what you see.

The shift from a chronological feed of people you chose to follow to an algorithmically ranked stream of content from anyone was the most significant change in the platform's history. The recommendation engine prioritises novelty and watch time over connection.

the mental health question

In September 2021, the Wall Street Journal published the Facebook Papers, internal documents leaked by whistleblower Frances Haugen. Among them: Meta's own internal research showing that Instagram made body image issues worse for one in three teen girls.

The internal slide deck read: "We make body image issues worse for one in three teen girls." Another: "Teens blame Instagram for increases in the rate of anxiety and depression." Among teens who reported suicidal thoughts, 13% of British users traced the desire to kill themselves to Instagram. These were Meta's own researchers, presenting to Meta's own leadership.

1 in 3

teen girls said Instagram made body image issues worse, according to Meta's own internal research.

Haugen testified before the U.S. Senate: "Facebook's own research says it is not just that Instagram is dangerous for teenagers, it is that it is distinctly worse than other forms of social media."

A 2023 advisory from the American Psychological Association concluded that algorithmic features like infinite scroll and autoplay create conditions where harm becomes more likely, particularly for adolescents whose brains are still developing impulse control.

the data and the ads

Instagram collects your location, contacts, browsing history outside the app (via the Meta Pixel), search history, purchase history, device identifiers, and biometric data. This is documented in Instagram's privacy policy.

Meta's average revenue per user in the U.S. and Canada was $268.53 per year in 2024. You are not paying $0 for Instagram. You're paying with roughly $270 worth of behavioural data annually.

$268

average annual revenue Meta earns per user in the U.S. and Canada. that's what your attention is worth.

In 2022, Meta was fined EUR 405 million by Ireland's Data Protection Commission specifically for Instagram's handling of children's data.

the environmental footprint

Meta disclosed total emissions of approximately 3.9 million metric tonnes of CO2e for 2023. Total energy consumption across data centres was approximately 21.6 terawatt-hours. That's more electricity than the entire country of Iceland uses in a year.

Water consumption: Meta reported using approximately 4.7 billion litres of water in 2023. As Meta scales its AI infrastructure for Instagram's recommendation algorithms, both energy and water consumption are projected to increase.

Instagram's specific share of Meta's environmental footprint is not publicly disclosed. Given Instagram's estimated revenue share (over 50%), attributing a proportional share of environmental impact is reasonable but imprecise.

what this means for your money

Meta is in your super fund. It's the sixth-largest company in the S&P 500 and a core holding in virtually every global index fund. As of early 2025, Meta's weighting in the S&P 500 was approximately 2.5%. For every $10,000 in an S&P 500 index fund, roughly $250 is invested in Meta.

You're funding Instagram's algorithm, its data collection infrastructure, and its advertising machine, whether you chose to or not. The platform you scroll before bed is partially funded by the retirement savings you haven't looked at since your employer set them up.

The good stuff is real. But when a company's core business model is optimised for attention extraction, when its own research shows harm to teenagers, when $268 per user per year flows from behavioural surveillance, the investment case and the impact case pull in different directions.

key sources

Wall Street Journal · Reuters · Meta Sustainability Report

disclaimer: this content is produced by inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. inaam is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). this article provides general information only. it does not constitute financial advice. readers should conduct their own research before making investment decisions. inaam is not affiliated with Meta Platforms, Inc., Instagram, or any entity discussed in this report.

← back to the asterisk project

the fine print

spotify*
the stream

675 million people use it every month. the average artist earns $0.004 per play. here's what nobody's reading.

series: the fine print published: march 2026

the company

Spotify launched in 2008 out of Stockholm, Sweden. Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon built it as a legal alternative to piracy, back when Napster and LimeWire had already broken the music industry's business model. The pitch was simple: all the world's music, on demand, for free (with ads) or cheap (with a subscription).

As of late 2024, Spotify reported 675 million monthly active users, including 263 million premium subscribers, across 184 markets. The company posted EUR 15.7 billion in revenue for 2024, up 19% year-on-year, with its first meaningful full-year operating profit of EUR 1.4 billion after years of losses.

Spotify is not a music company. It's an audio platform, a data company, and increasingly, a content publisher. The music is the gateway.

675M

monthly active users. more than the entire population of the European Union.

the good stuff

Before Spotify, listening to a full album cost $15-20 on CD or $10-13 on iTunes. Now it costs $0. Or $13.99/month for everything. That is a genuine democratisation of access. A kid in regional Queensland has the same music library as someone in Manhattan. That wasn't true in 2006.

Spotify's algorithmic playlists, particularly Discover Weekly and Release Radar, have become real discovery engines for independent artists. The company claims that in 2023, tracks by artists who had never appeared on an editorial playlist received over 150 billion algorithmic plays.

These are real things. The access is real. The discovery is real. The asterisk is in the economics.

the artist problem

Spotify pays between $0.003 and $0.005 per stream. In practice, the average payout sits around $0.004 per stream.

To earn the equivalent of Australia's minimum wage ($47,700/year), an artist would need approximately 12 million streams per year. That's about 33,000 streams every single day.

$0.004

average payment per stream. a song needs to be played 250 times to earn one dollar.

Spotify's Loud & Clear transparency report reveals the scale. In 2023, there were approximately 10 million artists on the platform. Of those, around 66,000 generated more than $10,000 in annual royalties. That's 0.66%.

In 2024, Spotify introduced a new policy: tracks need at least 1,000 streams in the prior 12 months to generate any royalties at all. An estimated two-thirds of all tracks stopped earning entirely.

Spotify disputes that its pay-per-stream model underpays artists, arguing that total royalty payouts exceeded $9 billion in 2023. The debate is about distribution, not total amount.

the streaming footprint

Researchers at the University of Glasgow and the University of Oslo estimated that streaming music's greenhouse gas emissions surpassed those of physical formats (CDs, vinyl) in the US by 2016.

A 2021 study from The Carbon Trust estimated that one hour of music streaming produces roughly 36 grams of CO2 equivalent. Multiply it by 675 million users averaging 30 minutes of listening per day. The aggregate footprint is significant.

~36g CO2

per hour of streaming. one person, one hour. multiply by 675 million users.

Spotify has never released a standalone environmental sustainability report with Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions data. There is no public net-zero target. No disclosed total energy consumption figure.

the data play

Spotify tracks listening duration, skip rates, time of day, device type, location data, playlist context, and inferred mood states. If you listen to lo-fi beats at 11pm on a Tuesday and switch to high-energy playlists at 6am on weekdays, Spotify has your emotional rhythm mapped.

Then there's Spotify Wrapped. Every December, hundreds of millions of users voluntarily share their listening data as social media content. Wrapped is brilliant product design. It's also the most effective normalisation of personal data disclosure any tech company has ever built. You don't just accept that Spotify tracks your habits. You celebrate it.

what this means for your money

Spotify (SPOT) is a component of the S&P 500, which means it sits inside virtually every index fund, super fund, and ETF that tracks the US large-cap market. If you have Australian super in a "balanced" or "growth" option, there's a reasonable chance a small slice of your retirement savings is invested in Spotify.

The question inaam asks isn't whether Spotify is a good stock. It's whether the companies in your portfolio reflect what you actually care about. And whether you even know what's in there.

key sources

Spotify Loud & Clear · Nature · Business Insider

disclaimer: this content is produced by inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd. inaam is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1297689) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126) (NCA). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) (Primary) is the Responsible Entity of the iNaam Impact Investments Fund (Fund). this article provides general information only. it does not constitute financial advice, a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any financial product, or an endorsement of any investment strategy. readers should conduct their own research before making investment decisions. inaam is not affiliated with Spotify, Alphabet/Google, or any entity discussed in this report.

← back to the asterisk project

Last updated: 20 July 2025

At inaam, we care about your privacy and are committed to being transparent about how we collect and use your personal information. This policy outlines how we handle your data when you use our website or services.

If you have any questions, please contact us at hello@inaam.me.

1. who we are

inaam is a digital platform designed to help people make smarter financial decisions. We collect personal information to provide our services, improve your experience, and keep you informed if you choose to hear from us.

2. what we collect

When you join our waitlist, we collect your name and email address so we can keep you updated about inaam's launch and services. We may collect personal information such as:

Your name
Email address
Phone number
Information you provide via forms
Usage data from your interaction with our website

We use cookies and analytics tools (like Google Analytics) to understand how visitors use our site.

3. how we use your information

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Provide and improve our services
Respond to your queries
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4. marketing and consent

When you sign up to the inaam app waitlist, you are giving us express consent to send you marketing emails and updates about our services. You can withdraw your consent at any time by:

Clicking "unsubscribe" in any of our emails
Contacting us at hello@inaam.me

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5. who we share it with

We may share your information with trusted service providers who help us operate our website, email platform, or analytics tools. We'll never sell your data, and we only share what's necessary.

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You can ask us to access or correct the personal data we hold about you. Just email us at hello@inaam.me.

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We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience on our site. You can manage cookies in your browser settings.

8. data security

We take reasonable steps to protect your data from unauthorised access, loss, or misuse using secure systems and trusted third-party tools.

9. changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on this page with the "last updated" date at the top.

health & wellbeing

Safer products, stronger communities, innovations that help people live longer and healthier lives.

the global shift to wellness

Health and wellbeing have become powerful global movements reshaping how we live, work, and spend. From digital health platforms to biotech breakthroughs in early disease detection, innovations are creating a world where wellbeing is within reach for all.

why it matters to us

Feeling healthy shapes everything. When communities have access to safer products, cleaner environments, and better medical innovation, they learn, grow, and live with confidence. We support companies that remove harmful ingredients, improve access to care, and bring health tech to more people.

what's impacting everyday health

microplastics

Small plastic particles in our food, water and environment. We support brands creating safer materials and reducing exposure.

viruses and bacteria

Companies focused on prevention, hygiene and medical innovation help create safer and healthier communities.

carcinogens

Substances in foods, beauty products and household goods. We back companies promoting transparency and cleaner formulas.

how we create healthy impact

Every company we invest in is evaluated through three pillars: financial robustness, purposeful impact, and leadership calibre. These guide us in backing businesses that deliver returns while improving lives.

example companies

Clean, affordable beauty brand. Oakland, California.

financial robustness

Market CapShort for market capitalisation. It's the total value of a company if you added up all its shares. Bigger number usually means bigger, more established company.: USD 4.3 B

Fast-growing global beauty brand with solid financial performance and consistent market expansion.

purposeful impact

Affordable, vegan, cruelty-free beauty products. Healthier self-expression without compromising values.

leadership calibre

Strong commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and social impact. Clean beauty and accessible confidence.

Global oncology firm. Tumor Treating Fields. Switzerland.

financial robustness

Market Cap: USD 1.27 B

Developing breakthrough cancer treatments. Financial resilience reflects strong demand in critical healthcare.

purposeful impact

New options for patients facing the most challenging cancers. Life changing innovation at the heart of this theme.

leadership calibre

Advancing clinical research, improving patient outcomes, expanding access to transformative cancer care.

why this matters for young investors

1 in 5

Australians experience mental illness each year. Wait times for psychologists are at record highs.

the mental health reckoning

If you're in your twenties or thirties in Australia, wait times for psychologists have blown out. Medicare rebates barely cover a session.

The conversation around wellbeing has shifted from "just push through it" to something more honest.

what's being built

Health and wellbeing companies are building infrastructure your generation will rely on. Telehealth platformsVideo or phone appointments with doctors and specialists. No waiting room, no travel. Especially useful in regional areas where the nearest specialist might be hours away., digital therapeuticsApps and software that actually treat medical conditions, not just track your steps. Think of it like medicine, but delivered through your phone instead of a pill., preventative care tech, affordable diagnostics.

These are becoming the baseline of how healthcare works.

the investment case

The demand is structural. An ageing population, rising chronic disease rates, a workforce that now expects mental health support as standard.

These trends don't reverse. The companies solving these problems are also growing.

why it's personal

Starting small in a space you understand changes the relationship with money. You go from feeling like money happens to you, to feeling like it's something you direct.

Health and wellbeing is personal. You can see the impact in your own life, your community, and your portfolio.

keep learning

The Three Pillars of Sustainable Investing What Does Sustainability Actually Mean? Impact Investing in Australia: A 2025 Guide explore the full learning lab

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renewable energy

Cleaner power. The technologies reshaping how we generate, store and use energy.

a global shift toward clean power

Solar, wind and emerging green technologies are rapidly replacing older energy sources. Countries are rewriting climate policies, businesses are investing in low carbon solutions, and this transition has created one of the fastest growing economic movements of our time.

why it matters to us

How we power the world shapes everything. Renewable energy protects the environment, improves air quality and creates long term stability. Supporting companies that prioritise clean power means helping build a world where energy is accessible and far less damaging.

what's powering this shift

climate change

Extreme weather and rising temperatures highlight the need for clean power. We back companies reducing emissions.

fossil fuels

Oil, gas and coal remain major pollution contributors. Reducing dependence on these is essential.

industrial pollution

Factories produce harmful contaminants. Renewable energy solutions help reduce impacts and promote cleaner production.

how we power cleaner futures

Every company is evaluated through three pillars: financial robustness, purposeful impact, and leadership calibre. These guide us in backing businesses that deliver returns while accelerating the energy transition.

example companies

U.S. solar company. Thin-film PV modules. Tempe, Arizona.

financial robustness

Market CapShort for market capitalisation. It's the total value of a company if you added up all its shares. Bigger number usually means bigger, more established company.: USD 27.53 B

Globally recognised solar technology leader with strong financial performance and stable long term growth.

purposeful impact

Advanced photovoltaicA fancy word for turning sunlight directly into electricity. Those solar panels on rooftops? They're photovoltaic panels. panels using cleaner manufacturing. Reducing emissions and bringing renewable power worldwide.

leadership calibre

Dedicated to responsible production, transparency and driving global adoption of clean energy.

Wind turbine design, manufacturing, installation and servicing. Aarhus, Denmark.

financial robustness

Market Cap: USD 22.8 B

World's largest wind turbine manufacturer with installed base across 88 countries and over 185 GW deployed globally.

purposeful impact

Wind energy is one of the lowest-carbon power sources available. Vestas turbines have avoided over 1.9 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions to date.

leadership calibre

Industry leader in sustainability reporting. Committed to producing a zero-waste turbine by 2040 and carbon-neutral operations by 2030.

why this matters for young investors

80%+

of new global power capacity through 2030 will be renewables. Rooftop solar is already on 1 in 3 Australian homes.

the grid is transforming

Coal plants are closing ahead of schedule. Rooftop solar is on one in three Australian homes.

The energy transition isn't a debate anymore. It's a procurement schedule.

the numbers

The Capacity Investment SchemeAn Aussie government program that basically guarantees income for new wind and solar projects, so companies are less nervous about building them. It's how the government de-risks the energy transition. is underwriting billions in new wind and solar projects.

These aren't speculative bets. They're infrastructure builds with decades-long revenue contracts.

where the money goes

Battery storage, grid management software, green hydrogenHydrogen made using renewable energy instead of fossil fuels. Can power trucks, heat buildings, and store energy. Still early days but massive potential., smart meters, EV charging networks. Each layer creates its own set of companies solving real engineering problems.

Many are still in growth phases, which is where you want to be with time on your side.

why it's personal

Energy costs hit young Australians hard. Renters can't install solar. Share houses get hammered on bills.

Understanding the energy system and putting money into the companies reshaping it gives you a different kind of agency. Your portfolio becomes part of the transition.

keep learning

The Three Pillars of Sustainable Investing Impact Investing in Australia: A 2025 Guide What Are Thematic ETFs? explore the full learning lab

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waste & recycling

Redesigning waste for a circular future. Less landfill, smarter materials.

a shift toward circular living

Waste systems are being redesigned. From overflowing landfills to plastic in our oceans, there's a growing need for systems that focus on reuse, smarter design and responsible disposal.

why it matters to us

How the world handles waste directly affects health, environment and future. This is about protecting ecosystems, reducing harmful pollution and rethinking the products we use every day.

what's driving better waste solutions

landfill

Materials that take decades to break down. We back companies finding ways to reduce landfill waste.

e-waste

Fastest growing waste stream worldwide. Companies that safely recover materials from old devices help limit toxic pollution.

single-use consumables

Disposable plastics and packaging create significant pollution. Reusable alternatives help reduce this burden.

how we support circular solutions

Every company is evaluated through three pillars: financial robustness, purposeful impact, and leadership calibre. These guide us in backing businesses that deliver returns while reducing waste.

example companies

German footwear brand. Quality and durability. London.

financial robustness

Market CapShort for market capitalisation. It's the total value of a company if you added up all its shares. Bigger number usually means bigger, more established company.: USD 7.42 B

Heritage brand with strong financial performance built on quality rather than fast fashion cycles.

purposeful impact

Durable footwear made to last, reducing frequent replacements. Long product lifecycle supports responsible consumption.

leadership calibre

Committed to timeless design, quality craftsmanship and sustainable production practices.

Environmental services. Hazardous waste management. Norwell, Massachusetts.

financial robustness

Market Cap: USD 10.91 B

Financially strong environmental services leader with consistent growth in a critical industry.

purposeful impact

Managing hazardous waste, e-waste, and industrial byproducts. Protecting communities from harmful materials.

leadership calibre

Focused on environmental protection, safe waste handling, expanding recycling infrastructure.

why this matters for young investors

76M tonnes

of waste generated in Australia each year. Only 63% gets recovered. The rest goes to landfill.

the gap is the opportunity

Australia generates 76 million tonnes of waste per year. Only 63% gets recovered. The rest hits landfill, and landfill capacity is running out near major cities.

That gap between what we throw away and what we recover is where the money is.

policy is forcing the shift

The National Waste Policy Action Plan targets 80% resource recoveryInstead of chucking stuff in landfill, you pull out the useful bits and reuse them. Metals, plastics, organics, whatever can get a second life. by 2030. Container deposit schemes are expanding.

Bans on exporting unprocessed waste are forcing domestic recycling infrastructure to scale up fast.

you're already living it

You've watched the war on single-use plastics. You've seen cafes switch to compostable packaging. You've had the argument about which bin the yoghurt lid goes in.

That awareness isn't just cultural. It's economic. Consumer pressure combined with regulation is creating a market that didn't exist a decade ago.

where the money goes

The companies range from waste management giants with stable cash flowsThe actual money coming in and going out of a business. Unlike profit, which accountants can massage, cash flow is harder to fake. If a company has strong cash flow, it can pay bills, invest, and survive downturns. to innovators turning food waste into energy or plastic waste into building materials.

Waste never stops being generated. The business case has a durability that trend-driven sectors lack.

keep learning

What Does Sustainability Actually Mean? Impact Investing in Australia: A 2025 Guide The Three Pillars of Sustainable Investing explore the full learning lab

back to pillars

sustainable agriculture

Ethical farming, healthier ecosystems, better practices that protect land and water.

responsible food systems

Consumers are paying more attention to where food comes from. Rising concerns about animal welfare, soil degradation, water use and deforestation are pushing brands toward more sustainable practices.

From regenerative farmingFarming that actually makes the soil healthier over time instead of wearing it out. Think of it as giving back to the land instead of just taking from it. to plant-based alternatives, food systems can nourish people without depleting the planet.

why it matters to us

Food systems shape the health of people, animals and the planet. Sustainable agriculture protects ecosystems, supports farmers and ensures future generations have access to nutritious, responsibly produced food.

what's driving the shift

water pollution

Agriculture is one of the largest freshwater users. Farm runoff pollutes rivers and oceans. We back companies improving water efficiency.

animal welfare

Traditional farming can involve harmful treatment. We support companies developing humane alternatives.

deforestation

Forests cleared for farmland, harming ecosystems and wildlife. Solutions that reduce land pressure help slow this trend.

how we support sustainable food

Every company is evaluated through three pillars: financial robustness, purposeful impact, and leadership calibre. These guide us in backing businesses that deliver returns while transforming food production.

example companies

Plant-based meat alternatives. El Segundo, California.

financial robustness

Market CapShort for market capitalisation. It's the total value of a company if you added up all its shares. Bigger number usually means bigger, more established company.: USD 0.45 B

Pioneer in plant-based protein, maintaining leadership in sustainable food innovation.

purposeful impact

Plant-based alternatives using significantly less land, water and energy while eliminating animal suffering.

leadership calibre

Committed to transforming the global food system and providing sustainable protein options.

Australian agribusiness supporting farmers. Adelaide, South Australia.

financial robustness

Market Cap: USD 1.47 B

Financially stable with over 180 years of history supporting farmers and rural communities.

purposeful impact

Sustainable land management, water efficiency programs and responsible practices protecting land for future generations.

leadership calibre

Deeply connected to Australian agriculture, helping farmers adopt sustainable practices.

why this matters for young investors

60% more

food needed by 2050 with less arable land and less predictable weather. Agriculture uses 55% of Australia's land.

your grocery bill tells the story

If you've noticed prices climbing, you've felt what happens when farming systems aren't designed for the climate we're living in. Droughts, floods, supply chain disruptions.

Agriculture accounts for 55% of Australia's land use and 12% of greenhouse gas emissions.

what's actually changing

Precision farmingUsing GPS, sensors, and data to farm smarter. Instead of spraying an entire field, you target exactly where the problem is. Less water, less chemicals, better yields. that reduces water use. Biological crop protection that cuts chemical inputs.

Soil health monitoring that helps farmers make better decisions with less guesswork.

the maths problem

The UN estimates we need to produce 60% more food by 2050 with less arable land and less predictable weather.

That's not a maybe. The companies solving it are worth paying attention to.

the australian angle

Agriculture is embedded in the national identity. Companies like Elders have supported Australian farmers for over 180 years.

This isn't some abstract global play. It's putting money into the backbone of regional Australia while backing the transition to practices that keep it intact.

keep learning

What Does Sustainability Actually Mean? The Three Pillars of Sustainable Investing The Beginner's Guide to Sustainable Investing explore the full learning lab

back to pillars

sustainable consumption

Conscious living. Smarter habits that reduce our everyday footprint.

a shift toward conscious living

Consumers everywhere are rethinking the true cost of everyday habits. From ethical fashion to cleaner ingredients and responsible packaging, people want products that match their values. Everyday choices can drive meaningful change.

why it matters to us

How people buy, use and dispose of products shapes the health of the planet. Sustainable consumption values longevity, quality and responsibility over convenience and waste. Supporting companies that create better products means quality matters more than quantity.

what's influencing everyday choices

day to day products

Everyday products have a major environmental footprint. Brands creating reusable, low waste alternatives help people live more sustainably.

fast fashion

Rapid production of low cost clothing leads to waste and poor conditions. We support durability, ethical sourcing and circular design.

fast food

Convenient food relies on unsustainable ingredients and packaging. Companies promoting healthier, low impact meals help shift this trend.

how we support conscious consumption

Every company is evaluated through three pillars: financial robustness, purposeful impact, and leadership calibre. These guide us in backing businesses that transform how products are made and consumed.

example companies

Electric vehicles, batteries, clean energy. Shenzhen, China.

financial robustness

Market CapShort for market capitalisation. It's the total value of a company if you added up all its shares. Bigger number usually means bigger, more established company.: USD 124.98 B

One of the world's largest EV manufacturers with exceptional growth and global expansion.

purposeful impact

Reducing fossil fuel reliance through EVs, batteries and energy storage. Making sustainable transport accessible to millions.

leadership calibre

Visionary team accelerating the global transition to electric mobility and clean energy.

Natural materials, low carbon footwear. San Francisco, California.

financial robustness

Market Cap: USD 0.45 B

Sustainability pioneer maintaining leadership in eco-friendly footwear innovation.

purposeful impact

Natural materials like merino wool and sugarcane foam. Proving sustainable products can be comfortable and stylish.

leadership calibre

Committed to transparency, carbon footprint labeling, and business as a force for environmental good.

why this matters for young investors

60%+

of Gen Z and millennials in Australia have changed purchasing behaviour based on environmental concerns.

the shift is already happening

Thrifting is normal. Repair culture is growing. Brand loyalty is tied to values, not just vibes.

Companies rethinking the supply chainThe whole journey a product takes from raw materials to your hands. Every factory, every truck, every warehouse. Most brands don't want you looking too closely at theirs. are finding that doing it better often means doing it more profitably.

it's a market force, not a trend

Over 60% of Gen Z and millennials in Australia have changed purchasing behaviour based on environmental concerns (Deloitte, 2024).

The companies positioned on the right side of this are capturing loyalty that translates directly into long-term revenue.

where the money goes

Durable products from better materials. Platforms enabling the second-hand economyReselling, thrifting, and refurbishing. What used to be "settling for used stuff" is now a $200B+ global market driven by sustainability and value. Think Depop, Facebook Marketplace, consignment stores..

Brands that build transparency in because they know their customers will check. This is where consumer behaviour and business models converge.

you're already the customer

When you invest in sustainable consumption, you're backing the version of the economy you're already choosing with your wallet.

As more people buy sustainably, these companies grow, making sustainable options cheaper, which brings in more customers. You're not just riding the wave. You're part of what's creating it.

keep learning

What Does Sustainability Actually Mean? The Beginner's Guide to Sustainable Investing Impact Investing in Australia: A 2025 Guide explore the full learning lab

back to pillars

your money has an asterisk too.*

you know your contradictions. do you know your bank account's?

scroll to find out ↓

Your Money's Asterisk: Where Your Super, Bank and Index Fund Actually Invest

Your super fund holds fossil fuels you didn't choose. Australian banks have loaned $43.4 billion to fossil fuel companies since the Paris Agreement. The S&P 500 includes tobacco, weapons, and oil. This guide shows the hidden asterisks on your money and introduces impact investing as an alternative.

01 the scroll you're reading this on

every minute on your phone has a carbon receiptThe amount of CO2 created by something you do. Streaming, scrolling, even sending a text. Everything online uses energy, and energy creates emissions..

you already know your screen time is high. here's what it costs the planet, not you.

*

the scroll

tiktok*

bytedance · private · 1B+ users

the good

pledged net-zeroWhen a company removes as much carbon from the atmosphere as it puts in. The goal is a balance of zero. Most companies are nowhere near it yet. by 2030 for operations

one data centre in norway runs on 100% renewables

partnered with climeworks on 5,100 tonnes of carbon removal

the asterisk*

estimated 50 million tonnes CO₂ per year. roughly the same as greece.

one minute of scrolling = 2.9g CO₂. your daily scroll is like driving 200m.

no sustainability report ever published. won't even disclose user numbers.

most data centres still run on fossil fuels.

video-heavylow disclosurecoal-powered

*

the scroll

instagram*

meta · NASDAQ: META · 2B+ users

the good

meta hit net-zero for direct operations in 2020

publishes detailed annual sustainability reports

committed to net-zero across full value chain by 2030

the asterisk*

total emissions went up 30% in 2023 because of AI infrastructure

data centres eat around 7.5 million megawatt-hours per year

the AI arms race is outpacing every decarbonisation effort they've made

AI scalingrising emissionsad-funded

*

the clearance

chatgpt*

openai · private · 800M+ weekly users · now running ads

the good

contract includes three red lines: no mass surveillance, no autonomous weapons, no social credit

newer models are more energy-efficient per query

the asterisk*

pentagon classified network deal signed feb 28, 2026. same month ads launched in your conversations

"safely" removed from mission statement in 2024 IRS filing. same year military ban reversed

~7.5M litres water/day. zero sustainability reports. no emissions target. no climate plan.

$840B valuation. investors are also the suppliers. ad personalisation on by default.

pentagon dealad-supportedno disclosure

read the full breakdown →

*

the scroll

spotify*

NYSE: SPOT · 600M+ users

the good

audio streaming is way lighter than video

publishes an annual equity and impact report

lowest per-user carbon of any major platform

the asterisk*

runs on google cloud and AWS. inherits their energy mix.

uses energy certificates instead of directly buying renewable power

600 million users still add up. better than most, not zero.

cloud-reliantRECs not PPAslower impact

02 the stuff in your wardrobe

the brands you wear have asterisks longer than their return policies.

supply chains are invisible by design. here's what yours actually look like.

*

the wardrobe

nike*

NYSE: NKE · world's largest sportswear brand

the good

100% renewable energy in owned facilities

some product lines use recycled polyester and rubber

the asterisk*

rolled back climate targets in 2024. "move to zero" quietly paused.

96% of emissions are supply chain. they don't control most of it.

factories in vietnam and indonesia face recurring labour investigations

target rollbacklabour concernsgreenwash risk

*

the wardrobe

apple*

NASDAQ: AAPL · trillion-dollar company

the good

corporate operations run on 100% renewable energy

emissions down 55% since 2015

24% of product materials now recycled or renewable

the asterisk*

15.3 billion kg CO₂ in 2024. 99% is the supply chain.

most manufacturing is in china where 63% of the grid is coal

supplier energy certificates may not drive actual new renewables

supply chain gapREC questionsimproving

*

the wardrobe

tesla*

NASDAQ: TSLA · EVs, energy, AI

the good

EVs = zero tailpipe emissions

accelerated the entire auto industry's shift to electric

the asterisk*

removed from S&P 500 ESG indexA version of the S&P 500 that only includes companies meeting environmental, social and governance standards. Getting kicked off it is basically a public fail on sustainability. in 2022

lithium and cobalt mining raises environmental and human rights concerns

no sustainability report since 2023

carbon credit sales have been a bigger profit driver than car margins

ESG delistedmining concernscredit-reliant

03 the default

your money is already doing things you didn't choose.

your super, your savings account, your index fund. none of them asked what you believe in.

*

the default

your super fund*

you probably picked the default option at your first job. here's what it invests in.

68%

of australians are in their fund's default option

BHPmining

woodside energyoil & gas

santosoil & gas

rio tintomining

most default super options include significant fossil fuel holdings. you didn't pick them. they just came with the account.

read the full breakdown →

*

the default

your bank account*

that savings account sitting there quietly? your bank uses your deposits as collateral for lending.

$43.4B

loaned by australia's big four to fossil fuels since the paris agreement

ANZ$15.9B fossil fuels

westpac80% of lending

NABreducing (down 2/3)

commbanklowest (6%)

ANZ and westpac account for 80% of all big four fossil fuel lending in 2024/25. your money is sitting somewhere right now.

read the full breakdown →

*

the default

the index fund everyone recommends*

"just put it in an S&P 500 fund." cool advice. here's what's inside.

~28%

of the S&P 500 is in industries with significant ESG controversies

exxonmobilfossil fuels

chevronfossil fuels

lockheed martindefence

philip morristobacco

"passive" investing isn't passive. it's a decision to invest in everything, including the stuff you'd never choose yourself.

read the full breakdown →

doing nothing with your money is still doing something. your bank lends it. your super invests it. your index fund buys all of it. the question isn't whether your money has a mission. it already does. the question is whether you picked it.

what if the asterisk was the point?

inaam builds portfolios of companies that do good and make money. here's the filter.

01

can they make money?

publicly listed. real revenue. actually profitable. no hype stocks, no startups running on vibes.

02

are they good for the world?

either they benefit people and planet through how they operate, or they directly build solutions to big problems.

03

who's running it?

diverse boards. ethical track record. no greenwashing history. if the leadership is dodgy, they're out.

the kind of companies that pass

nextera energy

renewable electricity for 12M+ homes

first solar

solar panels at industrial scale

e.l.f. beauty

affordable cruelty-free cosmetics

allbirds

sustainable footwear, first to carbon-label

BYD

world's largest EV and battery maker

$10/month. no hidden fees. no fossil fuels. no defence contractors.

get better at investing in minutes see the full methodology make your own personalised asterisk card

give your money a mission.

*

what's your
asterisk?*

everyone's got one. that thing you say that doesn't quite match what you do.

where's your asterisk?

pick a category.

or

pick your line.

the thing you say vs what's actually true.

pick a colour.

**

*

**

*

now find out what your money's asterisk is.

your lifestyle has contradictions. so does your bank account. claim 3 months free on inaam and see where your money actually goes.

done. check your email. your money's asterisk is waiting.

click here to learn more about the asterisk project

Investor Personality Quiz | inaam

?

⏱ takes under 2 mins

inaam's investor personality quiz.

the test that defines the bones of your investing personality, so we understand your best solution to continue your journey. stick around to the end to receive your own personalised playbook with detailed steps to help you on your way.

simple questions your grandpa could understand.

01 / 09

what's your name?

please enter your name

02 / 09

what's your email?

please enter a valid email

please tick both boxes to continue

03 / 09

how old are you?

Aunder 18

B18–24

C25–34

D35–44

E45+

04 / 09

what's your money situation right now?

Amostly vibes. no real plan yet

Bsaving, but it's just sitting in a bank

Cstarted investing (super, ETFs, apps)

Dinvesting regularly and tracking it

05 / 09

when someone mentions investing, you feel...

Ahonestly? a bit lost

BI get the basics, still learning

Cpretty comfortable. I know my stuff

06 / 09

if your money could fix one thing, what would it be?

pick as many as you want

climate action

animal cruelty

water crisis

waste & pollution

healthcare

renewable energy

fast fashion

housing crisis

07 / 09

when choosing where to invest, how much does impact matter?

Ait's the first thing I look at

Bit matters, but returns matter too

Chonestly? I just want the best returns

08 / 09

how much of your pay actually survives the month?

A0–10%

B11–25%

C26–50%

D>50%

09 / 09

what matters most to you about money right now?

investing in what I believe in

just figuring out where to start

making my savings actually grow

optimising for long-term returns

your character twins

explore inaam →

This quiz is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute personal financial advice, a recommendation, or an offer to invest. The inaam fund performance data referenced is projected from a backtest simulation of past performance. It is not based on actual returns and is an estimation of historic performance only. The projected 19% p.a. return is derived from backtested data showing 356% total return. The Vanguard Ethically Conscious International Shares ETF (VESG) return of 14.5% p.a. is based on its annualised performance since inception (September 2018). The S&P 500 return of 10% p.a. reflects its long-term historical average annual return. Past performance, whether actual or backtested, is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Investments can go up and down. You may receive back less than you invest. These benchmarks are shown for illustrative comparison purposes only and are not a guarantee of any specific outcome. Before making any investment decision, please consider your own financial situation and objectives, and read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD). inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd (ABN 39 653 593 018) is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). We recommend you seek independent financial advice before investing.

inaam

melanin mag

impact prize winner

yasas.

fastest around the tan + 100m sprint

prize

$150

impact investment credit

real money. real companies. real impact.

screenshot this and share to your story

student clubs

Free financial literacy workshops for your members. We run it. You host it.

learn more →

impact partners

Your business is already doing the work. Let's make it count.

learn more →

creators

Your content. Our research. Real impact.

learn more →

check if your business qualifies →

not sure which fits? email us at hello@inaam.me

back to partnerships

We're inaam. We build tools that help people learn how to invest with an impact. And we run free workshops for student clubs.

inaam-IRL is a free, 60-minute session on money, investing, and impact. Your members walk away knowing how investing actually works.

We run it. You host it. That's the whole deal.

what your club gets

fully facilitated

We come to you and run the whole session.

faculty-safe

ASIC-regulated content. No compliance risk.

marketing included

Collateral to promote across your channels.

completely free

No sponsorship fees. No strings. No catch.

led by Arjun Agarwal

Founder of inaam. Over a decade in major financial firms managing $2Bn+ in funds. TEDx speaker. University of Melbourne alumni.

a room. a date. your members.

That's it. We handle the facilitation, material, and follow-up. You handle promotion and space booking. The session does the rest.

ready to bring inaam to your campus?

takes less than a minute. we'll reach out within 48 hours.

back to partnerships

If your business operates in one of our five impact pillars, we want to talk.

health & wellbeing renewable energy waste & recycling sustainable fashion agriculture & consumption

three tiers

tier 1

verified impact coverage

inaam produces a methodology-backed impact feature for your business through a creator in our network.

Earned media with real credibility, not sponsored content.

tier 2

promo partnership

Customers who buy from you get a free inaam subscription or entry to an impact giveaway.

Audience cross-pollination for both sides.

tier 3

co-branded events

Farm-to-table dinners, sustainable cafe pop-ups, wellness activations.

We source the audience and co-produce. Same format as inaam-IRL but for businesses.

not sure if you qualify? take the quiz →

let's make your impact count

seven quick questions. we'll be in touch within a week.

General information only. This is not investment advice. Impact verification is based on inaam's methodology and does not constitute financial endorsement.

back to partnerships

Each creator in the inaam network co-owns one of five impact pillars as their content territory. You get methodology access, research backing, and editorial collaboration.

The content writes itself when the substance is real. We provide the substance. You provide the voice.

three options

option a

portfolio + subscription

Your own inaam impact portfolio and subscription. Document your investing journey with real money and real impact tracking. Details shared after application.

Content writes itself.

option b

portfolio + event access

A lighter commitment with portfolio access plus invitation to cover an inaam-IRL event or partner activation. Something real to film.

Something real to film, not a sponsored read.

option c

portfolio + impact storytelling

Same as Option A, plus opportunity to document experience with an impact-aligned charity (e.g. We Are Mobilize).

Deeper storytelling angle.

this isn't a brand deal. it's a collab.

seven quick questions. real portfolio. real methodology. real content.

General information only. This is not investment advice. Creator partnerships involve real investment products. Consider the PDS and TMD before investing. All investments carry risk.

*

is your business
impact-aligned?

8 questions. 2 minutes. find out if you'd qualify for inaam's impact verification.

what drives your business?

impact is our core mission

we consider impact alongside profit

we're exploring how to be more impactful

profit first, impact is secondary

do you publish sustainability reporting?

yes, annually with third-party verification

yes, we self-report annually

we're working on our first report

no

how much of your supply chain can you trace?

full traceability from raw materials

we know our tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers

we know our direct suppliers only

we haven't mapped our supply chain

how diverse is your leadership team?

board and leadership reflect the community we serve

we have diversity targets and are making progress

we're aware of gaps but haven't formalised plans

we haven't assessed this

where does your business fall short?

honesty matters more than perfection.

we know our gaps and have a plan to address them

we're aware of gaps but haven't acted yet

we're not sure where our blind spots are

we think we're doing fine

what certifications does your business hold?

B Corp certified

industry-specific certification (organic, fair trade, etc.)

currently pursuing certification

none yet

do you have take-back or circular programs?

yes, it's core to our business model

we have some programs in place

we're planning to implement

no

do you reinvest in your community?

yes, structured social impact programs

yes, ad hoc donations or volunteering

we're exploring ways to give back

not currently

apply for impact verification explore the directory

shop with impact

impact-aligned businesses

These are businesses you can buy from that meet our methodology standards. This is not investment advice and these companies are not in the inaam portfolio.

all sustainable fashion recycling & circular economy renewable energy & climate tech health & wellbeing sustainable consumption & agriculture

Clothing the Gap

Collingwood, Melbourne

Aboriginal-owned fashion label creating streetwear that centres First Nations culture. Each piece tells a story designed by Aboriginal artists, with profits going back to community.

sustainable fashion

the asterisk*: small operation, limited scale of impact beyond cultural fashion

visit website

Mutual Muse

Brunswick, Melbourne

Consignment store specialising in preloved designer and contemporary fashion. Extends the life cycle of quality garments and keeps them out of landfill.

sustainable fashion

the asterisk*: niche pricing may limit accessibility for average consumers

visit website

The Conscious Closet

Northcote, Melbourne

Curated sustainable fashion store offering ethical, organic, and fair trade clothing brands. Focused on slow fashion and transparent supply chains.

sustainable fashion

the asterisk*: small operation, limited third-party certification on all brands stocked

visit website

SWOP Clothing Exchange

Collingwood, Melbourne

Clothing swap events and secondhand store promoting circular fashion. Trade in your old clothes for store credit to refresh your wardrobe without new production.

sustainable fashion

the asterisk*: relies on donated stock, quality and sizing varies significantly

visit website

Goodbyes Consignment

South Yarra, Melbourne

Designer consignment store giving luxury fashion a second life. Buy and sell authenticated preloved designer pieces, reducing waste in the fashion industry.

sustainable fashion

the asterisk*: luxury price points, accessibility limited to higher income brackets

visit website

Vinnies

Fitzroy, Melbourne

St Vincent de Paul Society op shops offering affordable secondhand clothing and goods. All profits fund community welfare programs supporting people experiencing disadvantage.

sustainable fashion

the asterisk*: relies on donated stock, quality varies; parent organisation is faith-based

visit website

Patagonia

Global

Outdoor clothing and gear company that transferred ownership to an environmental trust. Known for Worn Wear repair program, fair trade certification, and environmental activism.

sustainable fashion

the asterisk*: still uses some virgin synthetic materials; premium pricing limits accessibility

visit website

Allbirds

Global

Sustainable footwear brand using merino wool, eucalyptus tree fibre, and sugarcane-based materials. Carbon neutral since 2019 with a carbon footprint label on every product.

sustainable fashion

the asterisk*: share price down 95% from IPO, financial sustainability questions remain

visit website

Reground

Collingwood, Melbourne

Collects spent coffee grounds from cafes and diverts them from landfill into compost, gardens, and body care products. Social enterprise creating employment pathways.

recycling & circular economy

the asterisk*: small operation, limited scale of impact beyond Melbourne metro

visit website

Returnr

Cremorne, Melbourne

Reusable packaging systems for cafes and restaurants. Replaces single-use containers with durable, returnable alternatives that get washed and recirculated.

recycling & circular economy

the asterisk*: requires partner venue participation, return rates not publicly reported

visit website

CERES Fair Wood

Brunswick East, Melbourne

Salvages and mills fallen urban trees that would otherwise go to landfill, turning them into sustainable timber products for furniture makers and builders.

recycling & circular economy

the asterisk*: small scale operation, supply dependent on council tree removals

visit website

Green Collect

Braybrook, Melbourne

Social enterprise collecting and recycling e-waste, office furniture, and hard-to-recycle materials. Creates employment for people facing barriers to work.

recycling & circular economy

the asterisk*: primarily B2B focused, limited consumer-facing services

visit website

KeepCup

Melbourne

Pioneer of the reusable coffee cup movement. B Corp certified, designing barista-standard reusable cups that replace billions of single-use cups each year.

recycling & circular economy

the asterisk*: manufacturing now mostly overseas; impact depends on consumer actually reusing

visit website

Frank Green

Melbourne

Melbourne-designed reusable bottles, cups, and food containers. SmartCup technology tracks your waste reduction. Focused on reducing single-use plastic consumption.

recycling & circular economy

the asterisk*: premium pricing limits accessibility; rapid product cycle raises questions about consumption

visit website

Zero Co

Byron Bay

Refillable cleaning and personal care products delivered to your door. Send back empty pouches to be refilled, eliminating single-use plastic bottles at home.

recycling & circular economy

the asterisk*: refill model requires behaviour change, participation rates unknown publicly

visit website

Yarra Energy Foundation

Collingwood, Melbourne

Community energy programs helping households and businesses reduce energy costs and emissions. Provides solar bulk-buys, energy audits, and EV charging advice.

renewable energy & climate tech

the asterisk*: limited to City of Yarra region; relies on grant funding cycles

visit website

GreenFleet Australia

Port Melbourne

Not-for-profit planting native biodiverse forests to offset carbon emissions. Individuals and businesses can offset their footprint by funding tree planting across Australia and New Zealand.

renewable energy & climate tech

the asterisk*: carbon offsets are contested; tree planting alone doesn't address systemic emissions

visit website

Nimbus Co

Collingwood, Melbourne

Wellness studio offering float therapy, infrared sauna, and massage in a community-focused space. Emphasises mental health and recovery alongside physical wellbeing.

health & wellbeing

the asterisk*: premium pricing, limited evidence base for some wellness modalities

visit website

Good Vibes Yoga

Northcote, Melbourne

Community yoga studio offering accessible classes across multiple styles. Runs community pricing and donation-based sessions to make yoga available to everyone, not just those who can afford boutique studios.

health & wellbeing

the asterisk*: small operation, impact limited to local community

visit website

Universal Practice

Fitzroy, Melbourne

Holistic health practice combining osteopathy, remedial massage, yoga, and meditation. Treats the whole person rather than isolated symptoms, with a focus on preventive care.

health & wellbeing

the asterisk*: certification pending on some modalities, self-reported impact metrics

visit website

CERES Market & Cafe

Brunswick East, Melbourne

Community environment park featuring an organic grocery market, cafe, and permaculture gardens. Education programs on sustainability, food systems, and regenerative agriculture.

sustainable consumption & agriculture

the asterisk*: premium organic pricing; limited accessibility for low-income communities

visit website

Good Cycles

Docklands, Melbourne

Social enterprise bike mechanics and cycling programs. Repairs bikes, runs cycling skills workshops, and provides employment pathways for people experiencing disadvantage.

sustainable consumption & agriculture

the asterisk*: small operation, impact primarily local; cycling focus rather than food/agriculture

visit website

Sister of Soul

St Kilda, Melbourne

Plant-based restaurant serving wholesome vegan meals in a cosy setting. Sources local and organic ingredients where possible, reducing environmental footprint of dining out.

sustainable consumption & agriculture

the asterisk*: single location, limited scale; self-reported sourcing standards

visit website

Collingwood Children's Farm

Abbotsford, Melbourne

Community farm and farmers market connecting city kids and families with food production. Regular farmers markets support local producers, and the farm runs education programs on sustainable agriculture.

sustainable consumption & agriculture

the asterisk*: not-for-profit, relies on volunteer labour and grants for operational continuity

visit website

Who Gives a Crap

Melbourne

B Corp certified toilet paper, tissues, and paper towels made from recycled materials or bamboo. Donates 50% of profits to build toilets and improve sanitation in the developing world.

sustainable consumption & agriculture

the asterisk*: products shipped from China, carbon footprint of international shipping

visit website

Thankyou

Melbourne

Social enterprise selling personal care and baby products. 100% of profits go to ending extreme poverty globally. Available in major supermarkets across Australia.

sustainable consumption & agriculture

the asterisk*: limited transparency on full supply chain metrics

visit website

Koala

Sydney

B Corp certified mattress and furniture brand using sustainable materials and carbon-neutral shipping. Partners with WWF-Australia and has planted over 50,000 trees.

sustainable consumption & agriculture

the asterisk*: growth-stage company, profitability questions remain

visit website

Koh

Melbourne

Eco-friendly cleaning products using a single universal cleaner that replaces multiple harsh chemical products. Non-toxic, biodegradable formulas in recyclable packaging.

sustainable consumption & agriculture

the asterisk*: limited third-party certification; cleaning efficacy claims self-reported

visit website

Flora & Fauna

Melbourne

Ethical online marketplace stocking cruelty-free, vegan, and eco-friendly products across beauty, health, home, and baby categories. Every product vetted against ethical criteria.

sustainable consumption & agriculture

the asterisk*: marketplace model means varying supplier standards across 300+ brands

visit website

HoMie

Melbourne

Melbourne streetwear brand that provides clothing, life skills, and employment pathways for young people experiencing homelessness. Every purchase funds their programs directly.

sustainable fashion

the asterisk*: streetwear focus means limited product range; impact is local to Melbourne

visit website

our criteria

how we assess impact alignment

Every business is scored across six dimensions. A business needs to pass at least four to be listed.

financial robustness

Is the business financially viable? Can it sustain operations without relying solely on grants or goodwill?

environmental impact

Does the business actively reduce waste, carbon, or resource consumption? Are there measurable outcomes?

community benefit

Does the business create local jobs, support marginalised communities, or reinvest profits into social outcomes?

certifications and verification

Does the business hold third-party certifications (B Corp, Fair Trade, GOTS, ACO) or submit to independent audits?

the asterisk*

What are the limitations? Every business has trade-offs. We note them openly so you can make informed choices.

business model alignment

Is impact core to the business, or a side project? We prioritise businesses where sustainability is the model, not the marketing.

this directory is a consumer guide only. it is not financial advice. these businesses are not in the inaam investment portfolio. This framework is separate from our investment methodology.

want to learn more? read our guide to sustainable shopping in australia.

think your business belongs here?

apply as an impact partner

inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). General information only, not financial advice. Not a bank deposit. All investments carry risk. Consider the PDS and TMD before investing. inaam.me.

impact investing

the best impact investing apps for australian university students

Small, regular investments into diversified, values-based portfolios. A comparison of ethical investing platforms available in Australia, written for students who want their money to actually mean something.

category: product comparison updated: march 2026 read time: 8 min

what is impact investing

Impact investing is putting your money into companies, funds, or assets that aim to generate measurable social and environmental outcomes alongside financial returns. It goes beyond traditional ESG screening by requiring intentionality: the investment must be designed to create positive change, not just avoid harm. In Australia, impact investing is regulated by ASICAustralian Securities and Investments Commission. The government body that regulates financial services in Australia. They're basically the financial police. and typically structured as managed investment schemesA fund where your money is pooled with other investors and managed by professionals. You put money in, they decide where it goes based on the fund's strategy. or exchange-traded funds.

what to look for in an impact investing app

Not all ethical investing platforms are built the same. Before you pick one, here are the criteria that actually matter.

ASIC regulation. Any platform managing your money in Australia should operate under an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSLAustralian Financial Services Licence. The licence a company needs to give financial advice or deal in financial products. No licence, no legit.) or be a Corporate Authorised Representative of one. This is non-negotiable. It means the fund has a Responsible EntityThe company legally responsible for running a managed fund. They make sure everything follows the rules and investors are protected., a Product Disclosure Statement (PDSProduct Disclosure Statement. The official document that explains what you're investing in, the risks, fees, and how it all works. Think of it as the terms and conditions that actually matter.), and a Target Market Determination (TMDTarget Market Determination. A document that describes who a financial product is designed for. It's how regulators make sure the right products reach the right people.).
Transparency of holdings. Can you see exactly which companies your money is invested in? Some platforms disclose their full portfolio. Others give you a vague theme and hope you don't ask questions.
Fee structure. Percentage-based fees compound against you over time. Flat fees are predictable. Know what you're paying and what you're getting for it.
Impact methodology. How does the platform decide what counts as impact? Is there a published framework, or is it just marketing copy? Look for specific criteria, named companies, and measurable outcomes.
Accessibility for small investors. University students are not dropping $5,000 upfront. The best platforms let you start with small, regular contributions and don't penalise you for investing modest amounts.

comparing impact investing apps in australia

Here is how the major ethical and impact investing platforms compare on the criteria that matter most to young investors.

platform	min investment	fees	ASIC regulated	fossil fuel free	impact methodology	app store rating
inaam	$10/month	$10/month flat	Yes (ARSN 691 614 132)	Yes	3-pillar framework, 24 curated companies	5.0
Australian Ethical	$1,000	0.39%-1.59% p.a. + performance fees	Yes	Yes	Ethical Charter screening	4.5
Future Super	Super only	$1.50/week + 0.1%-0.32% p.a.	Yes	Yes	Negative + positive screening	4.3
Raiz Invest	$5	$3.50/month (under $15K) or 0.275% p.a.	Yes	Partial (Sapphire portfolio only)	ESG-tilted portfolio option	4.2
Spaceship	$1	0.00%-0.05% (under $5K free)	Yes	No (Earth portfolio partial)	Thematic (tech + growth focus)	4.4

Fee structures change. Always check the current PDS for each platform before making a decision. The data above was accurate as of March 2026.

why inaam stands out for university students

Most ethical investing platforms were built for people who already have money. inaam was built for people who are just starting.

flat $10/month fee, no percentage drag

Percentage-based fees take more as your balance grows. A 1% annual fee on a $50,000 portfolio is $500 per year. inaam charges $10 per month regardless of your balance. For a student investing $50-200 per month, that is a predictable cost with no surprises. As your portfolio grows, the effective fee rate drops.

24 curated companies across a 3-pillar methodology

inaam does not buy an index and call it ethical. The portfolio holds 24 specific companies selected through a proprietary 3-pillar methodology that evaluates financial performance, environmental and social impact, and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Every holding is published. You can see exactly where your money goes.

24

curated companies in the inaam portfolio. every single one is disclosed.

built for small, regular investments

There is no $1,000 minimum. No lock-in period. inaam is a managed investment scheme structured for people who want to invest small amounts regularly, which is exactly how most university students can afford to invest. The app is available on both iOS and Android.

ASIC-regulated managed investment scheme

inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSNAustralian Registered Scheme Number. A unique ID given to managed investment schemes registered with ASIC. Think of it like an ABN but for investment funds. 691 614 132) is regulated by ASIC with Primary Securities Ltd as the Responsible Entity. This means your money is held in a separate trust structure, there is an independent custodian, and the fund operates under the same regulatory framework as major Australian managed funds. This is not a fintech experiment. It is a proper financial product.

frequently asked questions

is impact investing safe for university students?

All investments carry risk, including impact investments. The value of your investment can go up or down. What makes a platform safer is proper regulation, not the label "impact." Look for ASIC-regulated funds with a Responsible Entity, a published PDS, and transparent fee disclosure. inaam meets all of these criteria. But no investment is risk-free, and past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

how much do I need to start impact investing in australia?

It depends on the platform. Some require a $1,000 minimum investment. Others, like inaam, let you start with as little as $10 per month. For university students, platforms with low minimums and flat fee structures are generally more practical than those designed for larger balances.

what is the difference between ESG investing and impact investing?

ESG investing uses environmental, social, and governance criteria to screen or score companies within a traditional portfolio. Impact investing goes further by requiring intentional positive outcomes. An ESG fund might exclude the worst polluters. An impact fund specifically targets companies creating measurable environmental or social change. inaam uses a 3-pillar methodology that combines financial analysis, impact measurement, and values alignment.

can I invest ethically through my super fund?

Yes. Platforms like Future Super and Australian Ethical offer superannuation products with ethical screening. However, super money is locked until retirement age. If you want to invest ethically with money you can access before you turn 60, you need a non-super investment product like inaam's managed investment scheme.

how does inaam choose which companies to invest in?

inaam uses a 3-pillar methodology that evaluates companies across financial fundamentals, measurable social and environmental impact, and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The portfolio currently holds 24 companies across sectors including renewable energy, healthcare, sustainable agriculture, and waste management. The full list of holdings is published and available to all investors.

see how it works

disclaimer: inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). General information only, not financial advice. Not a bank deposit. All investments carry risk, including the risk of losing the money you invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Consider the PDS and TMD before investing. This page contains comparisons with other financial products for educational purposes only. inaam is not affiliated with Australian Ethical, Future Super, Raiz Invest, Spaceship, or any other platform mentioned. Fee and product information was accurate as of March 2026. Always verify current details with each provider.

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portfolio transparency

impact investment portfolios
designed for transparency.
built for young australians.

Most investment platforms tell you what sector you're in. inaam tells you exactly which companies your money supports, why they were selected, and what impact they're delivering. 24 companies. Full holdings disclosed. $10/month.

type: product guide regulation: ASIC-regulated managed investment scheme updated: march 2026

what portfolio transparency actually means

Portfolio transparency is the practice of disclosing the specific companies, assets, and securities held within an investment fund or portfolio. For impact investors, transparency extends further: it includes disclosing why each holding was selected, what impact criteria it meets, and how that impact is measured over time.

A truly transparent impact portfolio lets you answer three questions at any time: what do I own, why do I own it, and what is it doing in the world.

This matters because the alternative is a black box. Many funds marketed as "ethical" or "sustainable" only disclose holdings quarterly or semi-annually, often with a delay. Some disclose top-10 holdings and nothing else. Without full transparency, you cannot verify whether a fund's investments match its stated values.

why transparency matters for impact investors

1. greenwashing detection

Without seeing every holding, you cannot confirm whether a fund labelled "sustainable" actually avoids harmful industries. ASIC has taken action against multiple Australian funds for greenwashing claims. In 2023 alone, ASIC identified concerns with over 35% of ESG-labelled products it reviewed. Full holdings disclosure is the only reliable way to verify that what a fund says matches what it holds.

2. knowing what you actually own

When you invest through most platforms, you see a category label and a performance number. You rarely see the actual companies. This means your money could be sitting in a weapons manufacturer, a fossil fuel company, or a tobacco stock wrapped inside a broader fund. Transparency means you know every single company your money supports. No surprises.

3. alignment verification

Impact investing only works if you can verify the impact. Transparency lets you check whether the companies in your portfolio align with your values on climate, health, waste, agriculture, or ethical consumption. It also lets you hold the fund manager accountable. If a holding no longer meets the criteria, you can see that and ask why.

how inaam approaches transparency

inaam is an ASIC-regulated managed investment scheme that invests in 24 curated companies across 5 impact pillars. Every holding is disclosed. Every selection decision is explained through a 3-pillar methodology.

the 3-pillar selection methodology

financial robustness

Each company is assessed on revenue growth, profitability, balance sheet health, and long-term financial sustainability. This is not a "feel-good" fund. Financial performance is a prerequisite, not an afterthought.

purposeful impact

Companies must demonstrate measurable positive impact in at least one of the 5 pillars. Impact is assessed through real-world outcomes: emissions reduced, waste diverted, lives improved. Not ESG scores from a ratings agency.

leadership calibre

Governance, leadership track record, board diversity, and long-term strategic vision are evaluated. Companies need leaders who treat impact as core strategy, not a marketing exercise.

All 24 companies that pass this methodology are disclosed to investors. You can see what you own, why it was selected, and which impact pillar it falls under. The Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) are publicly available.

transparency comparison across platforms

Here is what you can actually see as an investor on each platform. This comparison reflects publicly available information as of March 2026.

transparency feature	inaam	australian ethical	vanguard VESG	betashares ETHI
Full holdings disclosed	Yes, all 24	Top holdings only	Full list (quarterly, delayed)	Full list (monthly)
Selection rationale per company	Yes, 3-pillar methodology	Ethical charter (general)	Index-based rules	Screening criteria (general)
Impact pillar mapping	Yes, 5 pillars	No specific mapping	No	No
Number of holdings	24 (curated)	50-200+ (varies by fund)	300+	200+
Company-level impact metrics	Yes	Annual impact report (fund level)	No	Annual impact report (fund level)
Fee structure	$10/month flat fee	0.49-1.59% p.a. (varies)	0.16% p.a.	0.59% p.a.
Excludes fossil fuels	Yes	Yes	Partial (reduced exposure)	Yes
Investor can verify holdings in real time	Yes, via app	No	No	No

Comparison based on publicly available product information as of March 2026. Fee structures and disclosure practices may change. Always read the relevant PDS before making an investment decision.

the 5 impact pillars

Every company in the inaam portfolio maps to at least one of five impact pillars. Each pillar targets a specific area where capital can drive measurable change.

health & wellbeing

Companies advancing healthcare access, mental health, medical technology, and preventive wellness. Examples include companies in diagnostics, digital health platforms, and health infrastructure.

renewable energy

Companies powering the transition to clean energy. Solar, wind, battery storage, and grid infrastructure. The companies building the energy system the world needs.

waste & recycling

Companies tackling waste reduction, circular economy, and sustainable materials. From industrial recycling to packaging innovation, these companies are rethinking what happens after use.

sustainable agriculture

Companies transforming food systems through regenerative farming, precision agriculture, and ethical supply chains. Feeding more people with less environmental damage.

sustainable consumption

Companies redefining how products are made, sold, and consumed. Ethical sourcing, responsible manufacturing, and products designed with their full lifecycle in mind.

The full list of 24 companies and their pillar assignments is available in the inaam app and in the Product Disclosure Statement.

frequently asked questions about portfolio transparency

can i see every company in the inaam portfolio before i invest?

Yes. inaam discloses all 24 holdings publicly. You can review the full list of companies, their impact pillar assignments, and the selection rationale before making any investment decision. The Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) contains the complete portfolio details.

how is inaam different from an ESG ETF?

Most ESG ETFs use negative screening: they take a broad index and remove the worst offenders. inaam uses positive selection: every company is individually chosen through a 3-pillar methodology that assesses financial robustness, purposeful impact, and leadership calibre. The result is a concentrated portfolio of 24 companies, each selected for a specific reason, rather than hundreds of companies that simply cleared a minimum threshold.

why does inaam only hold 24 companies?

Concentration is intentional. With 24 holdings, the research team can maintain deep, company-level knowledge of every investment. Each holding can be explained and justified individually. Broader funds with 200-300 holdings cannot provide this level of specificity. Fewer holdings also means every company carries meaningful weight in the portfolio, so impact is not diluted across hundreds of positions.

how often are the holdings reviewed?

The portfolio is reviewed on a regular basis by the investment team. If a company no longer meets the 3-pillar criteria, it is removed and replaced. Changes to the portfolio are disclosed to investors. The Responsible Entity, Primary Securities Ltd, provides governance oversight for all portfolio decisions.

is inaam regulated?

Yes. inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd (ABN 39 653 593 018) is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). The fund is registered with ASIC as a managed investment scheme.

see how the portfolio works

Download the app to explore all 24 holdings, impact pillar breakdowns, and the full methodology. $10/month. No hidden fees.

download the app read the methodology

General information only. This page provides general information about the inaam Impact Investments Fund and is not financial advice. It does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs. All investments carry risk, including the risk of loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) before making an investment decision. inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). Comparison data sourced from publicly available product information as of March 2026 and may change. Not a bank deposit.

learning lab

choosing impact investment funds
for young australians

An honest look at the platforms that let you invest in line with your values. What they cost, what they screen for, and who each one is actually built for.

by: inaam team published: march 2026 read time: 9 min

what is a values-aligned portfolio

Definition: A values-aligned portfolio is an investment portfolio built to reflect your ethical, social, or environmental beliefs. It screens out industries you don't want to support and actively selects companies making a measurable positive impact. In Australia, these portfolios are offered through managed funds, super funds, and dedicated impact investing platforms, all regulated by ASIC.

Most people start investing without choosing what they invest in. Your super fund picks for you. Your bank account lends your savings to whoever it wants. A values-aligned portfolio flips that. You decide what matters, and your money follows.

That might mean excluding fossil fuels, weapons, gambling, or tobacco. It might mean actively investing in renewable energy, healthcare, or companies reducing waste. The specifics depend on the platform and the fund. The principle is the same: your portfolio reflects what you care about, not just what returns the most.

why young australians are choosing impact funds

This isn't a niche trend anymore. According to the 2024 Responsible Investment Benchmark Report from the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA), responsible investment assets in Australia reached $1.9 trillion, accounting for roughly 48% of all professionally managed assets. That's not fringe. That's approaching half the market.

The shift is especially pronounced among younger investors. ASFA data on superannuation preferences shows millennials and Gen Z members are more likely to switch funds over ethical concerns than any previous generation. When you've grown up watching bushfires, housing crises, and corporate greenwashing, "where does my money actually go" becomes a real question, not a philosophical one.

$1.9T

Responsible investment assets under management in Australia (RIAA, 2024)

There's also a practical shift happening. Savings accounts in Australia are paying between 4-5% at the higher end, but with inflation running at similar levels, real returns are essentially zero. Young Australians sitting on cash are starting to look at what investing could do over a longer time horizon, and they want options that don't require them to compromise on what they believe in.

what to look for in an impact investment platform

Not all "ethical" or "sustainable" investment products are the same. Before you pick a platform, here's a checklist worth running through:

1

ASIC regulation. Is the fund operated by a Responsible Entity with an Australian Financial Services Licence? Does it have a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD)? If it doesn't, walk away.

2

Screening methodology. What does the fund actually exclude? "Sustainable" means different things to different platforms. Some only screen out tobacco and weapons. Others go deeper into fossil fuels, animal testing, or gambling. Check the PDS for specifics.

3

Minimum investment. Can you start with what you have? Some platforms need $1,000 upfront. Others let you begin with $5 or a flat monthly fee. The best platform is the one you can actually use.

4

Fee structure. Percentage-based or flat fee? Management fees, administration fees, performance fees. Over decades, even small differences compound into real money. Compare the total cost, not just the headline number.

5

Recurring contributions. Can you set up automatic investing? Building wealth through impact investing works best when it's consistent. Look for platforms that make recurring contributions easy, not an afterthought.

6

Mobile app experience. If you're going to check your investments, it should be on an app built for the purpose. Some platforms are desktop-first with a mobile afterthought. Others are mobile-native.

7

Impact reporting. Does the platform tell you what your money is actually doing? Not just returns, but real-world outcomes. Carbon avoided. Companies supported. The gap between "ethical label" and genuine impact reporting is wide.

the options

Here's an honest comparison of the main impact investing platforms available to young Australians in 2026. Each one does something different. None of them is perfect for everyone.

australian ethical

What it is: One of Australia's longest-running ethical investment managers. Offers managed funds and superannuation with a proprietary ethical charter dating back to 1986.

Minimum investment: $1,000 for managed funds. Super has no minimum.

Fees: Management fees range from 0.39% to 1.59% depending on the fund. Super admin fee around $6/month plus investment fees.

Pros: Decades of track record. Genuine ethical charter, not a rebrand. Offers both super and managed funds. Strong transparency on holdings and screening criteria.

Cons: $1,000 minimum for managed funds can be a barrier. Fee structure is percentage-based, which adds up at higher balances. Mobile experience is functional but not built for younger users. Multiple fund options can be overwhelming for beginners.

Best for: Someone who wants a proven ethical investment manager with a long track record and doesn't mind a higher entry point.

future super

What it is: An ethical superannuation fund. Not a general investment platform. Future Super focuses specifically on making your super fossil-fuel-free and impact-positive.

Minimum investment: No minimum (it's super, so your employer contributions go in automatically).

Fees: $1.50/week admin fee plus investment fees of 0.39%-0.99% depending on the option.

Pros: Simple switching process. Genuine fossil fuel exclusion. Strong brand and community. Impact reports show where your super is going. Three clear investment options.

Cons: Super only. You can't use it for general investing outside of superannuation. Fees are higher than some industry funds. Younger members with small balances may feel the fixed weekly fee more.

Best for: Someone who wants their super aligned with their values and doesn't want to think about it beyond the initial switch.

raiz invest (ethical option)

What it is: A micro-investing app with multiple portfolio options, including an ethical portfolio. Known for round-ups, where spare change from purchases is automatically invested.

Minimum investment: $5.

Fees: $4.50/month for balances under $20,000. 0.275% p.a. for balances over $20,000.

Pros: Very low entry point. Round-ups make investing automatic without thinking about it. Good mobile app. The Sapphire (ethical) portfolio provides basic ESG screening.

Cons: The ethical portfolio is one option among several, not the platform's core focus. Screening is based on ETF selection rather than company-by-company analysis. $4.50/month on very small balances is a high effective fee rate. Impact reporting is limited compared to dedicated impact platforms.

Best for: Someone who wants to start investing with very little money and likes the idea of round-ups. Good entry point, though the ethical component is lighter than dedicated impact platforms.

spaceship earth

What it is: Spaceship's sustainability-focused portfolio. Part of the broader Spaceship platform, which also offers a technology-focused Universe portfolio and an index option.

Minimum investment: $1 (for Voyager portfolios).

Fees: 0.00% management fee for balances under $5,000. 0.10% for balances over $5,000 (for Voyager).

Pros: Extremely low fees. Clean mobile app built for younger investors. No fee on small balances is a genuine advantage for beginners. Easy recurring contributions.

Cons: The Earth portfolio is a sustainability tilt, not a deep impact fund. Screening is lighter. Holdings are more growth-oriented with a sustainability overlay than purpose-built for impact. Less transparency on specific exclusion criteria compared to dedicated ethical managers.

Best for: Someone who wants low-cost exposure to companies with a sustainability tilt, prioritises a great app experience, and is comfortable with a lighter screening approach.

betashares ethi

What it is: An ASX-listed ETF (exchange-traded fund) that tracks an index of global companies screened for ethical criteria. You buy it through a share trading platform like any other stock.

Minimum investment: The price of one unit (typically around $10-15). But you need a brokerage account, and most brokers charge $5-10 per trade.

Fees: 0.59% management fee p.a. No admin fees beyond your broker's trading costs.

Pros: Listed on the ASX so you can buy and sell during market hours. Well-known brand. Clear exclusion methodology (fossil fuels, weapons, gambling, junk food). Good diversification across global companies. Transparent holdings.

Cons: Requires a separate brokerage account. Brokerage fees make small recurring investments expensive. No built-in recurring contribution feature. You have to manage it yourself. No impact reporting beyond screening. It's a tool, not a guided experience.

Best for: Self-directed investors who already have a brokerage account and want a low-cost, diversified, ethically screened global fund they can manage themselves.

how inaam fits

inaam isn't trying to be the cheapest option or the one with the most funds. It does one thing: a single, curated impact investment fund built around 24 companies across five themes (health and wellbeing, renewable energy, waste and recycling, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable consumption).

The model is a flat $10/month subscription. That's it. No percentage-based management fees that scale with your balance. No brokerage costs. No choosing between fifteen different portfolio options. You pay $10, your money goes into the fund, and the fund is managed by a team that selects and monitors each of the 24 companies using a three-pillar methodology.

The fund is an ASIC-regulated managed investment scheme. Primary Securities Ltd (AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity. There's a PDS and TMD you should read before investing. inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (AFSL 430126).

Where inaam fits best is for someone who wants to invest in impact without having to become an expert in fund selection. You don't pick ETFs. You don't manage a brokerage account. You don't compare seventeen portfolio options. You open the app, set up your $10/month, and your money goes to work across companies that were selected because they're doing something measurable in the real world.

It's not the right choice for someone who wants to self-direct, or someone who wants exposure to hundreds of companies, or someone looking primarily for super. It's built for a specific person: a young Australian who wants their money in the market, aligned with their values, without the complexity.

quick comparison

Platform	Type	Min. Investment	Fee Model	Recurring	Impact Focus
Australian Ethical	Managed fund / Super	$1,000 (fund)	0.39%-1.59% p.a.	Yes	Deep
Future Super	Super only	No minimum	$1.50/wk + 0.39%-0.99%	Auto (employer)	Deep
Raiz (Sapphire)	Micro-investing	$5	$4.50/mo or 0.275%	Yes (round-ups)	Moderate
Spaceship Earth	Managed fund	$1	0.00%-0.10% p.a.	Yes	Light
BetaShares ETHI	ASX-listed ETF	~$10-15 + brokerage	0.59% p.a.	Manual	Moderate
inaam	Managed fund (app)	$10/month	$10/mo flat	Yes (auto)	Deep

frequently asked questions

what are the best impact investment platforms for young australians who want automatic recurring contributions?

The main platforms offering impact investing with recurring contributions for young Australians include Australian Ethical (managed funds from $1,000, strong ESG heritage), Future Super (superannuation with fossil-fuel-free screening), Raiz Invest (micro-investing with ethical options from $5), Spaceship Earth (growth-focused portfolio with sustainability tilt), BetaShares ETHI (ASX-listed ETF for self-directed investors), and inaam (curated 24-company impact fund at $10/month flat fee). The best choice depends on whether you want super, a managed fund, micro-investing, or a single diversified impact portfolio.

what is the best sustainable investment platform for young australians transitioning from a savings account?

For young Australians moving from savings to investing, platforms with low minimums and recurring contribution options work best. Raiz Invest lets you start from $5 with round-ups. inaam offers a flat $10/month subscription to a diversified impact fund. Spaceship has a $1 minimum with no fees on small balances. Australian Ethical allows managed fund entry from $1,000. The key is choosing a platform that is ASIC-regulated, offers automatic contributions so you build the habit, and screens for the issues you care about. Moving from a savings account to an investment platform means accepting market risk in exchange for potentially higher long-term returns.

which companies offer impact investment funds suitable for young australian investors?

Companies offering impact investment funds suitable for young Australians include Australian Ethical (managed funds and super, operating since 1986), Future Super (ethical superannuation), Raiz Invest (micro-investing with an ethical portfolio option), Spaceship (Earth portfolio with sustainability focus), BetaShares (ETHI ETF on the ASX), and inaam (a dedicated impact investing app with a curated fund of 24 companies across health, renewable energy, waste, agriculture, and sustainable consumption). All operate under Australian financial regulation. The depth of impact screening varies significantly between platforms, so it's worth comparing their PDS documents.

are impact investment funds regulated in australia?

Yes. Impact investment funds in Australia are regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). Managed investment schemes must have a Responsible Entity with an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL). Before investing, you should always check that the fund has a current Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD), which are legal requirements for retail investment products in Australia. ETFs listed on the ASX are also subject to ASX listing rules and ASIC oversight. Superannuation funds are additionally regulated by APRA.

how much do i need to start impact investing in australia?

The amount needed to start impact investing in Australia varies by platform. Raiz Invest has a $5 minimum. Spaceship starts at $1. inaam operates on a $10/month flat fee model. Australian Ethical's managed funds typically require $1,000 to open. BetaShares ETHI requires the cost of one unit (around $10-15) plus brokerage fees. Future Super has no minimum since contributions come from your employer. The barrier to entry is lower than most people assume. The more important factor is consistency: regular contributions over time matter more than a large starting amount.

disclaimer: this content is produced by inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd (ABN 39 653 593 018). inaam is a Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). This article provides general information only. It does not constitute financial advice, a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any financial product, or an endorsement of any investment strategy. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investments carry risk, including the risk of loss of principal. Consider the PDS and TMD before making any investment decision. inaam has made reasonable efforts to ensure accuracy but does not guarantee the information is current or complete. Competitor information is sourced from publicly available materials as of March 2026 and may have changed. inaam is not affiliated with Australian Ethical, Future Super, Raiz Invest, Spaceship, BetaShares, or any other entity discussed in this article.

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social impact

social inequality impact funds
for young australians

Which impact funds actually address social inequality, and which ones just screen out the worst offenders? A comparison of what Australian platforms offer, who they invest in, and how they measure social outcomes.

type: product comparison updated: march 2026 read time: 7 min

Social inequality investing illustration

what social inequality investing actually means

Social inequality investing is the practice of directing capital toward companies and funds that actively work to reduce disparities in healthcare, education, housing, and economic opportunity. It goes beyond ESGEnvironmental, Social, and Governance. A framework for evaluating how a company manages risks and opportunities related to environmental, social, and governance criteria. screening, which typically just avoids the worst harm. Social impact investing requires intentionality: the companies in the portfolio need to be solving real problems for real communities through their core business.

In Australia, this is still a relatively new focus area within impact investing. Most ethical funds screen for labour rights and workplace diversity, but fewer actively target companies whose products reduce inequality. The distinction matters if you care about where your money is going, not just where it isn't.

how australian platforms approach social inequality

Different platforms handle social screening differently. Some exclude companies that cause social harm. Others actively seek companies creating social good. Here is how the main options compare.

platform	social screening approach	min investment	fees	social impact reporting	ASIC regulated
inaam	Positive selection: 24 companies chosen for measurable social + environmental impact	$10/month	$10/month flat	Yes, per-company impact metrics	Yes (ARSN 691 614 132)
Australian Ethical	Ethical charter: excludes social harm, positive tilt toward community benefit	$1,000	0.39%-1.59% p.a.	Yes, annual impact report	Yes
Future Super	Negative + positive screening for labour rights, community impact	Super only	$1.50/week + 0.39%-0.99% p.a.	Yes, annual impact report	Yes
Raiz Invest	ESG-tilted portfolio option (Sapphire), broad screening	$5	$4.50/month or 0.275% p.a.	Limited	Yes
BetaShares ETHI	Negative screening: excludes fossil fuels, weapons, gambling, junk food	~$10-15 + brokerage	0.59% p.a.	Holdings disclosed, no impact reporting	Yes

Fee structures and screening criteria change. Always check the current PDSProduct Disclosure Statement. The official document that explains what you're investing in, the risks, fees, and how it all works. for each platform before making a decision. Data above was accurate as of March 2026.

where inaam fits on social inequality

inaam's portfolio holds 24 companies selected through a 3-pillar methodology. Several of those companies directly address social inequality through healthcare access, sustainable agriculture that supports food security, and consumption models that make essential goods more accessible. Every holding is disclosed. You can see which companies your money supports and why they were chosen.

Where Australian Ethical has the advantage is track record. They have been operating under their ethical charter since 1986 and have a much deeper history of social screening. Where Future Super wins is accessibility through superannuation, though that money is locked until retirement age.

inaam's edge is simplicity and cost structure. One fund, flat $10/month fee, 24 companies, all disclosed. For a young Australian investing $50-200 per month who wants social impact exposure without managing multiple funds or paying percentage-based fees, that model works.

24

companies in the inaam portfolio. every holding is disclosed, including why it was selected for social and environmental impact.

frequently asked questions

which companies offer impact investment funds focused on social inequality in australia?

The main platforms addressing social inequality through investment include Australian Ethical (ethical charter screening since 1986), Future Super (screens for labour rights and community impact through superannuation), and inaam (curated 24-company portfolio with holdings in healthcare access, education technology, and sustainable consumption). Each platform takes a different approach to defining and measuring social impact.

how does impact investing address social inequality?

Impact investing addresses social inequality by directing capital toward companies that create measurable positive social outcomes. This includes companies improving healthcare access, expanding education technology, creating fair employment, and building affordable essential services. Unlike traditional ESGEnvironmental, Social, and Governance. A set of criteria used to evaluate companies on their ethical impact and sustainability practices. screening which mainly excludes harmful companies, impact investing actively seeks companies solving inequality through their core business model.

can I invest in social impact funds with a small amount in australia?

Yes. inaam lets you start with $10 per month through its flat-fee managed investment schemeA fund where your money is pooled with other investors and managed by professionals. You put money in, they decide where it goes based on the fund's strategy.. Raiz Invest starts from $5 with micro-investing. Australian Ethical's managed funds require a $1,000 minimum. Future Super has no minimum but is superannuation only, meaning your money is locked until retirement age.

what is the difference between social impact investing and ESG investing?

ESG investing uses environmental, social, and governance scores to filter or rank companies. Social impact investing goes further by requiring intentional, measurable positive outcomes for communities. An ESG fund might score companies on diversity policies. A social impact fund actively invests in companies whose products and services reduce inequality, improve access to healthcare, or create economic opportunity in underserved communities.

see how it works

disclaimer: inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). General information only, not financial advice. Not a bank deposit. All investments carry risk, including the risk of losing the money you invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Consider the PDS and TMD before investing. This page contains comparisons with other financial products for educational purposes only. inaam is not affiliated with Australian Ethical, Future Super, Raiz Invest, BetaShares, or any other platform mentioned. Fee and product information was accurate as of March 2026. Always verify current details with each provider.

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student investing

impact investing apps
for australian uni students

You don't need $1,000 to start investing in what matters. A comparison of the apps that let university students put small, regular amounts into values-based portfolios.

type: product comparison updated: march 2026 read time: 6 min

University student investing illustration

why uni students are starting to invest differently

Most university students have been told investing is something you do after you get a real job. That was true when the minimum investment was $5,000 and you needed a financial adviser to open an account. It is not true anymore.

Several platforms now let you invest from as little as $1-10 per month. And a growing number of those platforms offer values-based or impact-focused options. The question isn't whether you can afford to invest as a student. It's which platform actually matches what you care about.

what to look for as a student investor

Before picking an app, here is what actually matters when you're investing small amounts regularly.

Low or flat fees. Percentage-based fees look cheap on paper, but a $4.50/month fee on a $200 balance is effectively 27% per year. Flat fees are predictable. Know what you're paying.
No lock-in. You might need your money back. Make sure you can withdraw without penalties or long wait times.
ASICAustralian Securities and Investments Commission. The government body that regulates financial services in Australia. regulation. Any platform managing your money should operate under an Australian Financial Services Licence or be a Corporate Authorised Representative of one.
Recurring contributions. The habit matters more than the amount. Look for apps that make automatic investing easy.
Impact transparency. Can you see what your money is actually invested in, and whether those companies align with your values?

comparing the options

Here is how the main apps compare for university students investing small, regular amounts.

app	min investment	fees (small balance)	impact focus	recurring	ASIC regulated
inaam	$10/month	$10/month flat	Deep: 24 curated impact companies	Yes (auto)	Yes (ARSN 691 614 132)
Raiz Invest	$5	$4.50/month	Moderate: Sapphire ESG portfolio	Yes (round-ups)	Yes
Spaceship	$1	$0 (free under $5K)	Light: Earth portfolio sustainability tilt	Yes	Yes
Australian Ethical	$1,000	0.39%-1.59% p.a.	Deep: ethical charter since 1986	Yes	Yes
Future Super	Super only	$1.50/week + 0.39%-0.99%	Deep: fossil-fuel-free super	Auto (employer)	Yes

Fees change. Raiz updated their fee structure in 2025. Always check the current PDSProduct Disclosure Statement. The document that explains what you're investing in, the risks, fees, and how it works. for each platform.

honest take on each platform

spaceship has the lowest barrier

Spaceship wins on cost for small balances. $0 fees under $5,000 is hard to beat. But the Earth portfolio is a sustainability tilt, not a deep impact fund. If your priority is low cost and you're comfortable with lighter screening, Spaceship is a strong starting point. If impact depth matters to you, it's more of a stepping stone.

raiz makes investing invisible

Round-ups are genuinely clever. You spend, spare change gets invested automatically. The Sapphire portfolio provides basic ESG screening. But at $4.50/month on a small balance, the effective fee rate is high. And the ethical component is one option among several, not the platform's core identity.

inaam is built for impact-first students

If what matters to you is knowing exactly where your money goes and why, inaam's model of 24 disclosed companies with a published methodology is the most transparent option. The $10/month flat fee is higher than Spaceship's $0, but as your balance grows, the effective rate drops while percentage-based fees scale up. The fund is an ASIC-regulated managed investment schemeA fund where your money is pooled with other investors and managed by professionals based on a published strategy. with Primary Securities Ltd as the Responsible Entity.

$10

per month. that's the cost of two coffees to invest in 24 companies selected for measurable impact.

frequently asked questions

what are the best impact investing apps for australian university students?

The main options include inaam ($10/month flat fee, 24 curated impact companies), Raiz Invest ($5 minimum with round-ups and an ethical portfolio), and Spaceship ($1 minimum with an Earth sustainability portfolio). Each has different fee structures and impact screening depths. The best choice depends on whether you prioritise cost, convenience, or impact transparency.

how much do university students need to start impact investing?

You can start with as little as $1 (Spaceship), $5 (Raiz), or $10/month (inaam). The barrier is lower than most people think. Consistency matters more than the starting amount. Regular small contributions over time build both the habit and the portfolio.

what is the difference between raiz and inaam for student investors?

Raiz is a micro-investing app with multiple portfolio options, one of which (Sapphire) has ESG screening. inaam is a dedicated impact investing app with a single curated fund of 24 companies chosen for measurable impact. Raiz charges $4.50/month for balances under $20,000. inaam charges a flat $10/month. Raiz offers broader choice. inaam offers deeper impact focus and full holdings transparency.

see how it works

disclaimer: inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). General information only, not financial advice. Not a bank deposit. All investments carry risk, including the risk of losing the money you invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Consider the PDS and TMD before investing. This page contains comparisons with other financial products for educational purposes only. inaam is not affiliated with Raiz Invest, Spaceship, Australian Ethical, Future Super, or any other platform mentioned. Fee and product information was accurate as of March 2026. Always verify current details with each provider.

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platform comparison

sustainable investment platforms
for young australians

Moving from a savings account to investing is a big step. Here is how the main sustainable investment platforms in Australia compare on fees, minimums, screening, and what they actually invest in.

type: product comparison updated: march 2026 read time: 7 min

Sustainable platform comparison illustration

from savings to investing

If you have been keeping your money in a savings account and you are starting to think about investing, you are not alone. Savings rates in Australia have been sitting at 4-5% at the high end, but with inflation running at similar levels, your real return is close to zero. Investing means accepting market risk in exchange for potentially higher returns over a longer time horizon.

The first question most young Australians ask is: can I do this in a way that aligns with my values? The answer is yes. There are now multiple sustainable investment platforms available in Australia, each with different approaches, fee structures, and levels of impact screening.

what makes a platform "sustainable"

The word gets used loosely. A genuinely sustainable investment platform should do at least one of these things:

Negative screening: excluding industries like fossil fuels, weapons, tobacco, and gambling
Positive selection: actively choosing companies making measurable environmental or social impact
ESG integration: using environmental, social, and governance factors in investment decisions

Most ETFsExchange-Traded Funds. Investment funds listed on the stock exchange that you can buy and sell like shares. They typically track an index or a theme. labelled "sustainable" use negative screening. They take a broad index and remove the worst companies. Dedicated impact funds use positive selection. The depth of screening matters.

platform comparison

platform	type	min investment	fees	screening depth	recurring
inaam	Managed fund (app)	$10/month	$10/month flat	Deep: positive selection, 24 companies	Yes (auto)
BetaShares ETHI	ASX-listed ETF	~$10-15 + brokerage	0.59% p.a.	Moderate: negative screening	Manual
Vanguard VESG	ASX-listed ETF	~$50-70 + brokerage	0.16% p.a.	Light: ESG tilt	Manual
Australian Ethical	Managed fund	$1,000	0.39%-1.59% p.a.	Deep: ethical charter screening	Yes
Spaceship Earth	Managed fund (app)	$1	0.00%-0.10% p.a.	Light: sustainability tilt	Yes

ETF prices and fund fees change. Brokerage costs apply when buying ETFs. Always check the current PDSProduct Disclosure Statement. The official document explaining the fund's investments, risks, and fees. or product page before investing.

where each platform wins

Vanguard VESG wins on cost. At 0.16% per year, it is one of the cheapest sustainable options on the ASX. But the screening is light. It applies an ESG tilt to a broad international index rather than deeply screening for impact.

BetaShares ETHI wins on exclusion clarity. Their negative screening methodology is well-documented: no fossil fuels, weapons, gambling, or junk food. At 0.59% it is more expensive than Vanguard but the screening is meaningfully deeper.

Australian Ethical wins on track record. Operating since 1986 with a comprehensive ethical charter, they have the longest history of any ethical investment manager in Australia. The $1,000 minimum and percentage-based fees can be barriers for students.

Spaceship Earth wins on fee-free entry. No fees under $5,000 makes it the cheapest way to start. But the sustainability screening is a tilt, not a mandate.

inaam wins on impact transparency and simplicity. One fund, 24 companies, all disclosed, flat $10/month. If you want to know exactly where your money goes and why, this is the most transparent option. The flat fee structure becomes increasingly competitive as your balance grows.

frequently asked questions

how do I transition from a savings account to sustainable investing?

Start by understanding that investing is different from saving. Your savings account protects capital but real returns after inflation are close to zero. Investing means accepting market risk for potentially higher long-term returns. Choose an ASIC-regulated platform with low minimums. Set up a small recurring amount you can afford to lose. Read the PDSProduct Disclosure Statement. Read this before investing. It explains the fund, risks, and fees. before investing. Keep your savings account as an emergency fund. Investing is for money you won't need for at least 3-5 years.

what is the difference between an ETF and a managed fund?

An ETFExchange-Traded Fund. Listed on the stock exchange, bought through a broker, trades like a share. is listed on the ASX and trades like a stock through a brokerage account. A managed fund is operated by a fund manager who handles everything. ETFs typically have lower fees but require you to manage purchases and pay brokerage per trade. Managed funds offer a more guided experience. inaam is a managed fund accessed through an app. BetaShares ETHI and Vanguard VESG are ETFs.

are sustainable investment returns lower than regular investments?

Not necessarily. Research from RIAA and Morningstar has shown comparable performance. However, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. All investments carry risk. Sustainable funds have different sector exposures which can lead to different performance patterns. The question is whether you are comfortable with the specific companies and sectors in the fund.

what should I look for in a sustainable investment platform?

ASIC regulation is non-negotiable. After that: transparent screening methodology, fee structure that works for your balance size, recurring contribution options, and clear disclosure of what companies your money is invested in. The depth of "sustainable" varies enormously between platforms.

see how it works

disclaimer: inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). General information only, not financial advice. Not a bank deposit. All investments carry risk, including the risk of losing the money you invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Consider the PDS and TMD before investing. This page contains comparisons with other financial products for educational purposes only. inaam is not affiliated with BetaShares, Vanguard, Australian Ethical, Spaceship, or any other platform mentioned. Fee and product information was accurate as of March 2026. Always verify current details with each provider.

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fund comparison

best impact investment funds
for young australians

One diversified fund or a stack of ETFs? What young Australian investors need to know about building impact exposure without overcomplicating things.

type: product guide updated: march 2026 read time: 7 min

the single fund vs multi-ETF question

When you start looking at impact investing, you will quickly find two approaches. The first is a single, diversified fund that gives you exposure to multiple impact themes through one product. The second is building your own portfolio by buying multiple ETFsExchange-Traded Funds. Investment funds listed on the stock exchange that you buy and sell like shares. Each one typically focuses on a specific theme or index. through a brokerage account.

For most young Australians investing small amounts regularly, the single-fund approach is simpler, cheaper, and requires less ongoing management. But the multi-ETF approach gives you more control if you want it.

what "multi-theme exposure" actually means

A fund with multi-theme exposure invests across several impact areas rather than concentrating on one. Instead of buying a renewable energy fund, a healthcare fund, and an agriculture fund separately, you get all of those themes through a single product.

inaam's fund, for example, holds 24 companies across five themes: health and wellbeing, renewable energy, waste and recycling, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable consumption. One investment gives you exposure to all five. Australian Ethical's managed funds similarly cover multiple sectors through their ethical charter screening, though with broader holdings.

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impact themes covered in the inaam fund. health, energy, waste, agriculture, and consumption. one investment, diversified exposure.

comparing the approaches

approach	example	cost	themes	management	best for
Single curated fund	inaam	$10/month flat	5 themes, 24 companies	Fully managed	Beginners, hands-off investors
Single managed fund	Australian Ethical	0.39%-1.59% p.a.	Broad ethical charter	Fully managed	Investors with $1K+ who want a proven manager
Single ETF	BetaShares ETHI	0.59% p.a. + brokerage	Global ethical screening	Self-directed	DIY investors with brokerage accounts
Multi-ETF stack	ETHI + FAIR + VESG	0.16%-0.59% p.a. + brokerage per trade	Customised	Self-directed, requires rebalancing	Experienced investors wanting full control

why a single fund works for beginners

If you are investing $50-200 per month, buying multiple ETFs is expensive. Most brokers charge $5-10 per trade. Four trades per month is $20-40 in brokerage alone, which can wipe out your returns on small amounts.

A single managed fund eliminates brokerage, rebalancing decisions, and the need to monitor multiple holdings. You invest one amount, it goes into a diversified portfolio, and the fund manager handles the rest. As your balance and knowledge grow, you can always add ETFs or other products later.

where inaam fits

inaam is designed for the first approach: one fund, multiple themes, fully managed. The 24 companies are selected through a 3-pillar methodology and cover five impact areas. The flat $10/month fee means no percentage drag as your balance grows, and no brokerage costs. The fund is an ASIC-regulated managed investment schemeA fund where your money is pooled with other investors and managed by professionals. Regulated by ASIC with a Responsible Entity overseeing the fund. with Primary Securities Ltd as the Responsible Entity.

It is not the right choice if you want to self-direct, or if you specifically want exposure to hundreds of companies through broad index tracking. For that, a combination of ETFs through a brokerage account gives you more control.

frequently asked questions

is it better to invest in one diversified impact fund or multiple ETFs?

For beginners investing small amounts, a single diversified fund is simpler and more cost-effective. You avoid brokerage fees, rebalancing decisions, and the complexity of monitoring several holdings. As your portfolio and knowledge grow, adding specific thematic ETFs can make sense. The right approach depends on your balance, experience, and how much time you want to spend managing investments.

what themes do impact investment funds in australia cover?

Australian impact funds cover renewable energy, healthcare, clean technology, sustainable agriculture, waste management, ethical consumption, water treatment, and social equity. The thematic focus varies significantly between funds. inaam covers five specific pillars. Australian Ethical applies a broad ethical charter. BetaShares ETHI screens a global index for negative criteria.

how many companies should an impact fund hold?

Concentrated funds like inaam hold 24 companies, allowing deep research per holding. Broader ETFs hold hundreds, providing more diversification but less impact per company. There is a trade-off between concentration (more impact intentionality, more company-level risk) and diversification (less impact per holding, less single-company risk). Both approaches are valid.

see how it works

disclaimer: inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). General information only, not financial advice. Not a bank deposit. All investments carry risk, including the risk of losing the money you invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Consider the PDS and TMD before investing. This page contains comparisons with other financial products for educational purposes only. inaam is not affiliated with BetaShares, Vanguard, Australian Ethical, or any other platform mentioned. Fee and product information was accurate as of March 2026. Always verify current details with each provider.

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impact tracking

impact investing dashboard apps
for australians

Most investment apps show you a number going up or down. Impact investing dashboards should show you what that number is actually doing in the real world. Here is what exists in Australia.

type: product guide updated: march 2026 read time: 6 min

what an impact dashboard should actually show you

Every investment app shows your balance. That is the bare minimum. An impact investing dashboard should do two additional things: show you what companies your money is invested in, and show you what those companies are doing in the world.

Most platforms fail on one or both of these. Traditional brokerage apps show financial metrics only. Some ethical fund managers publish impact reports, but they're annual PDFs buried in a documents section, not integrated into the app you check every week. The gap between "impact investing platform" and "platform that actually tracks impact" is wider than it should be.

the two sides of an impact dashboard

financial performance

This is what every app already does: portfolio value over time, contributions made, returns earned, fees paid. The basics. For a managed investment schemeA fund where your money is pooled with other investors and managed by professionals based on a published strategy, regulated by ASIC., you should also be able to see your unit price and the total value of your holding at any time.

impact outcomes

This is where most platforms fall short. Impact metrics might include:

Carbon emissions avoided by portfolio companies
Renewable energy generated or enabled
Healthcare access expanded
Waste diverted from landfill
Sustainable food production supported

The challenge is that impact measurement is harder than financial measurement. Returns are a number. Impact is a story. The best dashboards connect specific outcomes to specific companies in your portfolio, so the story has real detail.

how platforms compare on impact tracking

platform	financial dashboard	impact reporting	reporting frequency	company-level detail
inaam	In-app, real-time	In-app impact metrics	Ongoing	Yes, per-holding
Australian Ethical	App + web portal	Annual impact report (PDF)	Annual	Yes, detailed annual report
Future Super	Member portal	Impact report + member updates	Annual + quarterly	Portfolio-level
Raiz Invest	In-app, real-time	Limited	N/A	No
Spaceship	In-app, real-time	None	N/A	Holdings disclosed, no impact data

Impact reporting capabilities evolve. Platforms may add or improve impact tracking features. Check each platform for the most current offering.

where the platforms stand honestly

Australian Ethical produces the most detailed impact reports in Australia. Their annual report is comprehensive, well-sourced, and covers specific outcomes across their portfolio. The limitation is that it is an annual PDF, not an integrated app experience. If you want depth of reporting over frequency, they lead.

Future Super provides quarterly member updates and annual impact reports for superannuation. Their reporting is portfolio-level rather than company-specific, but it is more frequent than most super funds.

inaam integrates impact data directly into the app alongside financial performance. Because the portfolio holds 24 companies (compared to hundreds in an ETF), the team can report on specific outcomes per holding rather than aggregate statistics. The trade-off is that inaam is a newer platform, so it has less historical impact data than Australian Ethical.

Raiz and Spaceship have strong financial dashboards but limited or no impact reporting. If consolidated impact tracking is important to you, these platforms are not built for it. They are investing tools, not impact tools.

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things your dashboard should track: what your money is earning, and what your money is doing. most apps only show the first.

frequently asked questions

what impact investing platforms offer consolidated dashboards for financial and social outcomes?

In Australia, inaam provides an app-based dashboard tracking both financial performance and impact metrics per holding. Australian Ethical publishes comprehensive annual impact reports. Future Super provides impact reporting through their member portal. Most ETF platforms show financial performance only. The depth of impact dashboarding varies significantly.

what metrics should an impact investing dashboard track?

Two categories: financial performance (portfolio value, returns, contributions, fees) and impact outcomes (what your invested companies are doing in the world). Impact metrics might include carbon avoided, healthcare access improved, waste diverted, or renewable energy generated. The best dashboards connect metrics to specific portfolio holdings.

how does inaam track impact differently from other platforms?

inaam tracks impact at the company level across 24 holdings. Because the portfolio is concentrated and every company is individually selected, outcomes can be reported per holding rather than as aggregate statistics across hundreds of companies. This is different from ETF-based platforms which typically report portfolio-level ESGEnvironmental, Social, and Governance. A framework for evaluating a company's ethical impact and sustainability practices. scores rather than company-specific impact data.

see how it works

disclaimer: inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). General information only, not financial advice. Not a bank deposit. All investments carry risk, including the risk of losing the money you invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Consider the PDS and TMD before investing. This page contains comparisons with other financial products for educational purposes only. inaam is not affiliated with Australian Ethical, Future Super, Raiz Invest, Spaceship, or any other platform mentioned. Feature and product information was accurate as of March 2026. Always verify current details with each provider.

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learning lab

recurring contributions
to impact investing
in australia

Lump sums are great if you have one. Most of us don't. Recurring contributions let you build an impact portfolio on your own schedule, starting from whatever you can afford right now.

by: inaam team published: march 2026 read time: 5 min

why recurring beats waiting

The biggest barrier to investing isn't knowledge. It's the feeling that you don't have enough to start. Recurring contributions solve that. You set an amount, automate it, and your portfolio grows in the background while you get on with life.

In investing, this approach has a name: dollar-cost averagingInvesting a fixed amount at regular intervals regardless of market price. This smooths out your average purchase price over time and removes the pressure of timing the market.. Instead of trying to pick the perfect moment to invest a large amount, you invest a smaller amount consistently. Some months you buy at a higher price, some months lower. Over time, it averages out.

what the research actually says

Academically, lump sum investing beats dollar-cost averaging about two-thirds of the time. Markets tend to go up, so getting money in earlier usually wins. But that research assumes you have a lump sum sitting around. Most young Australians don't. They have a fortnightly pay cycle and bills. Recurring contributions match how you actually earn money.

The more honest answer: the best strategy is the one you'll actually do. A $10/month habit you maintain for a decade builds more wealth than a $500 investment you make once and never think about again.

how platforms handle recurring contributions

platform	minimum recurring	frequency options	automation	impact screening
inaam	$10/month	Monthly	Automatic via subscription	Full 24-company impact fund
Australian Ethical	$200/month	Monthly	Regular savings plan	Comprehensive ESG screening
Raiz Invest	$5	Weekly, fortnightly, monthly + round-ups	Automatic + round-ups	Ethical portfolio option (1 of 7)
Spaceship	$5	Weekly, fortnightly, monthly	Automatic scheduled	Earth portfolio (sustainability tilt)
BetaShares ETHI	~$80 (1 unit)	Via broker auto-invest	Depends on broker	Ethical ETF screening

Minimum amounts and features may change. Always check the current offering with each provider before committing.

what to look for in a recurring plan

Not all recurring contribution features are equal. Some things worth checking:

Can you pause or adjust without penalty?
Are there transaction fees on each contribution, or is it bundled into a flat fee?
Does the platform invest your contribution immediately, or batch it?
Is the recurring amount flexible, or locked to specific tiers?

Raiz's round-ups feature is genuinely clever for people who want to invest passively without thinking about it. Australian Ethical's regular savings plan works well if you have $200/month to spare. inaam's flat subscription model is simple: one price, one fund, automatic. The right choice depends on your budget and how much involvement you want.

frequently asked questions

what is dollar-cost averaging in impact investing?

Dollar-cost averaging means investing a fixed amount at regular intervals, regardless of market conditions. Instead of timing the market with a lump sum, you invest consistently each month, smoothing out your purchase price over time. Most Australian impact platforms support automatic recurring contributions.

is it better to invest a lump sum or make recurring contributions?

Research shows lump sum investing outperforms dollar-cost averaging about two-thirds of the time. But for young investors without a lump sum, recurring contributions are the practical answer. They build the habit, reduce timing risk, and match how most people actually earn money.

how much should i invest monthly in an impact fund?

There is no universal right amount. Consistency matters more than size. $10/month invested consistently over 10 years builds more than $200 invested once and forgotten. Start with what you can afford without stress, then increase as your income grows.

see how it works

disclaimer: inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). General information only, not financial advice. Not a bank deposit. All investments carry risk, including the risk of losing the money you invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Consider the PDS and TMD before investing. This page contains comparisons with other financial products for educational purposes only. inaam is not affiliated with any other platform mentioned. Feature and product information was accurate as of March 2026. Always verify current details with each provider.

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learning lab

portfolio transparency
in impact investing

You wouldn't buy food without checking the ingredients. But most people invest without knowing what companies they own. Here is how to tell if a fund is actually showing you what's inside.

by: inaam team published: march 2026 read time: 5 min

what transparency actually means

Transparency in investing sounds straightforward: a fund should tell you what it owns. In practice, the degree of disclosure varies enormously. Some funds publish every holding with exact percentages. Others show a top 10 list and call it a day. Some only update quarterly. Others update daily.

For impact investors, transparency matters more than it does for conventional investors. You're not just looking for returns. You're investing based on values. If you can't see what companies your money supports, you can't verify whether the fund's actions match its marketing.

levels of disclosure

There are roughly three tiers of portfolio transparency in Australia:

Full disclosure: every holding listed, updated regularly. ETFs are required to do this. Some managed funds choose to.
Partial disclosure: top 10 holdings shown, sector allocation published, but the full list is only available in annual reports.
Minimal disclosure: general descriptions of what the fund invests in, without naming specific companies.

how platforms compare on transparency

platform	holdings disclosed	update frequency	impact per holding	screening methodology public
inaam	All 24 holdings	Ongoing (in-app)	Yes, per company	Yes
Australian Ethical	Full list published	Quarterly / annual	Yes, in annual report	Yes (Ethical Charter)
BetaShares ETHI	Full list (ASX requirement)	Daily	No per-holding impact	Yes
Future Super	Full list published	Quarterly	Portfolio-level	Yes
Spaceship	Holdings disclosed	Periodic	No impact reporting	General approach

Disclosure practices may change. Check each platform's current PDS and website for the most up-to-date information.

why it matters for trust

A fund that says it invests ethically but won't show you what it holds is asking for blind trust. That's a problem. The whole point of impact investing is intentionality. You chose this because you care where your money goes. If the fund doesn't respect that enough to show you, consider why.

Australian Ethical deserves credit here. They have published their Ethical Charter and full holdings for decades. BetaShares ETHI is transparent by design, since ETFs must disclose holdings. inaam takes a different approach by building transparency into the app experience itself, with all 24 companies visible and impact data attached to each one.

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companies in the inaam fund. all disclosed. all mapped to one of five impact pillars. no hidden holdings.

frequently asked questions

what does portfolio transparency mean in impact investing?

It means the fund tells you exactly what companies your money is invested in. For impact investors, this matters more than usual because you're investing based on values. You need to verify that the companies in your portfolio actually align with what you care about.

which australian impact funds disclose their full holdings?

inaam discloses all 24 holdings. Australian Ethical publishes full holdings lists. BetaShares ETHI discloses daily as required for ETFsExchange-Traded Funds. Investment funds traded on a stock exchange, combining the diversification of managed funds with the tradability of individual shares.. Many managed funds only disclose top 10 holdings quarterly, with full disclosure annually.

why do some funds hide their holdings?

Mainly to protect their investment strategy from being copied by competitors. This is more common with actively managed funds. For impact funds, limited disclosure is a problem because it prevents investors from verifying whether actual investments match stated values.

see how it works

disclaimer: inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). General information only, not financial advice. Not a bank deposit. All investments carry risk, including the risk of losing the money you invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Consider the PDS and TMD before investing. This page contains comparisons with other financial products for educational purposes only. inaam is not affiliated with any other platform mentioned. Feature and product information was accurate as of March 2026. Always verify current details with each provider.

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learning lab

low-minimum
sustainable funds
in australia

You don't need thousands to start investing sustainably. Some platforms let you begin with less than the cost of a coffee. Here is what's available.

by: inaam team published: march 2026 read time: 5 min

the minimum investment myth

There's a persistent belief that investing requires thousands of dollars upfront. A decade ago, that was mostly true. Traditional managed funds often required $5,000 or more to open an account. If you wanted to invest ethically, the options were even more limited.

That has changed. The rise of micro-investing platforms, app-based funds, and fractional share trading means you can now start a sustainable investmentAn investment that considers environmental, social, and governance factors alongside financial returns. Also called ethical, responsible, or impact investing. portfolio with pocket money. The real question is no longer "can I afford to start?" but "which platform suits my situation?"

minimum investment comparison

platform	minimum to start	type	ongoing fees	impact screening
Raiz Invest	$5	Micro-investing app	$3.50/month + 0.275% p.a.	Ethical portfolio option
Spaceship	No minimum	Managed fund app	0.05-0.10% p.a.	Earth portfolio (sustainability tilt)
inaam	$10/month	Impact fund (managed)	$10/month flat	Full 24-company curated fund
BetaShares ETHI	~$10-15 (fractional)	ETF	0.59% p.a.	Ethical screening methodology
Australian Ethical	$1,000	Managed fund	0.95-1.69% p.a.	Comprehensive ESG (Ethical Charter)

Fees and minimums change. Check each platform's current PDS for the most accurate information before investing.

why low minimums matter for young investors

High minimums create a barrier that disproportionately affects young people. When a managed fund requires $5,000 to start, it excludes most uni students and early-career workers. The result is that people who care about where their money goes end up leaving it in a savings account earning almost nothing, or defaulting to whatever their super fund picked for them.

Low minimums don't mean low quality. An ASIC-regulated fund with a $10 entry point has the same legal obligations as one with a $50,000 minimum. The regulation doesn't change based on how much you invest.

the trade-offs to understand

Lower minimums sometimes come with different fee structures. A $3.50/month flat fee on a $100 balance is effectively a 42% annual fee, which is punishing. On a $10,000 balance, it's 0.42%, which is reasonable. Percentage-based fees scale more fairly but can add up on larger balances.

The other consideration is diversification. A single ETF gives you hundreds of companies. A curated fund like inaam gives you 24 carefully selected companies. Neither approach is objectively better. It depends on whether you prefer broad exposure or focused impact.

frequently asked questions

what is the lowest minimum investment for sustainable funds in australia?

Micro-investing platforms like Raiz start from $5. inaam starts at $10/month. Spaceship has no minimum. Traditional managed funds like Australian Ethical require $1,000. ETFs like BetaShares ETHI require at least one unit purchase, around $10-15 via fractional shares on supported platforms.

are low-minimum investment platforms safe and regulated?

All legitimate investment platforms in Australia must be regulated by ASICAustralian Securities and Investments Commission. The government body that regulates financial services and consumer credit in Australia.. A low minimum does not mean lower regulation. The same consumer protections apply regardless of how much you invest. Always check for an AFSL number and read the PDS.

what are the fees for low-minimum sustainable funds?

Fee structures vary. inaam charges $10/month flat. Raiz charges $3.50/month plus 0.275% annually. Spaceship charges management fees within the fund. Australian Ethical charges 0.95-1.69% per year. BetaShares ETHI charges 0.59% per year. Compare fees relative to your expected balance, not just the headline number.

see how it works

disclaimer: inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). General information only, not financial advice. Not a bank deposit. All investments carry risk, including the risk of losing the money you invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Consider the PDS and TMD before investing. This page contains comparisons with other financial products for educational purposes only. inaam is not affiliated with any other platform mentioned. Feature and product information was accurate as of March 2026. Always verify current details with each provider.

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learning lab

impact investing
vs benchmarks
in australia

The most common question about impact investing: does it cost you returns? Here is an honest answer that doesn't overclaim in either direction.

by: inaam team published: march 2026 read time: 6 min

the question everyone asks

"Will I lose money by investing ethically?" It is the first thing most people want to know. The honest answer is: it depends on the fund, the time period, and what you're comparing against. Anyone who gives you a simple yes or no is selling you something.

what the data shows

Over the past decade, the relationship between ethical screening and returns has been more nuanced than either camp admits. Some periods have favoured ethical funds. The exclusion of fossil fuels helped during energy downturns. The overweighting of technology and healthcare companies, which tend to pass ESG screens, boosted returns during tech rallies.

Other periods have been harder. When oil prices surged, funds excluding energy companies underperformed. When "value" stocks outperformed "growth" stocks, the tech-heavy tilt of many ethical funds worked against them.

The academic research is similarly mixed. Meta-analyses of hundreds of studies generally conclude that ESGEnvironmental, Social, and Governance. A framework for evaluating a company's ethical impact and sustainability practices. integration does not systematically harm returns, but neither does it guarantee outperformance.

the track record problem

Here is something most impact fund marketing won't tell you: track records are short. Most dedicated impact investing platforms in Australia launched in the last decade. inaam, for example, is a newer platform. Australian Ethical is a notable exception with a track record going back to 1986.

Short track records mean that performance claims are inherently limited. Three years of outperformance could be skill, or it could be market conditions that happened to favour the fund's sector tilts. You need at least 10-15 years of data to draw meaningful conclusions about a fund's strategy versus its benchmark.

comparing fairly

consideration	what it means	what to watch for
Right benchmark	Match the index to the fund's universe	Don't compare a global fund to the ASX 200
Time period	Returns vary dramatically by period	Cherry-picked start dates can make any fund look good or bad
Risk adjustment	Returns relative to volatility	Lower returns with lower risk might actually be better
Fees included	Compare after-fee returns	Gross returns hide the real cost to you
Survivorship bias	Closed funds disappear from data	Only seeing surviving funds inflates average performance

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. All investments carry risk. Returns can go down as well as up.

the honest position

Impact investing does not guarantee you will match the S&P 500. It also does not guarantee you will underperform. The evidence suggests that well-constructed ethical portfolios can deliver competitive risk-adjusted returns over the long term, but "competitive" is not the same as "guaranteed to beat."

What impact investing does offer is alignment. Your money supports companies working on problems you care about. For many young investors, that alignment has value beyond the percentage on a performance chart. That is not a financial argument. It is a personal one. Both are valid.

1986

the year Australian Ethical launched. the longest track record for ethical investing in Australia. most impact platforms are much newer.

frequently asked questions

do impact funds perform as well as the s&p 500 or asx 200?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Some ethical funds have matched or outperformed benchmarks over certain periods. Others have underperformed. Past performance varies and no fund consistently beats benchmarks every year. Impact funds also tend to have shorter track records, making comparison difficult.

does ethical screening reduce investment returns?

Not necessarily. Academic research is mixed. Some studies show no significant negative effect. Excluding fossil fuels has helped during energy downturns. The relationship between screening and returns is more nuanced than the simple narrative that ethics costs performance.

why do impact funds have shorter track records?

Most dedicated impact investing platforms launched in the last decade. The broader movement gained mainstream traction around 2015-2020. Short track records are not a red flag, but performance claims should be taken with appropriate context. Australian Ethical, operating since 1986, is the main exception.

see how it works

disclaimer: inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). General information only, not financial advice. Not a bank deposit. All investments carry risk, including the risk of losing the money you invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Consider the PDS and TMD before investing. This page contains comparisons with other financial products for educational purposes only. inaam is not affiliated with any other platform mentioned. Feature and product information was accurate as of March 2026. Always verify current details with each provider.

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learning lab

beginner's guide
to choosing an
impact investing app

Your first investment app is a big choice. Here is a practical checklist for someone who has never invested before, without the jargon or the pressure.

by: inaam team published: march 2026 read time: 5 min

the five things to check

Before you download anything, check these five things. If a platform can't clearly answer them, keep looking.

Is it ASIC-regulated? Look for an AFSLAustralian Financial Services Licence. A licence issued by ASIC that authorises a person or company to provide financial services in Australia. number. Every legitimate investment platform in Australia operates under one.
What are the actual fees? Not the marketing version. The total cost including management fees, platform fees, and any transaction fees.
What's the impact methodology? How does the platform decide what's ethical? Negative screening? Positive screening? Both?
Can you see the holdings? If you can't see what companies you're invested in, you can't verify the impact claims.
What's the minimum? Can you start with what you actually have right now?

common beginner mistakes

Most first-time investors make the same handful of mistakes. Knowing them in advance saves you time and money.

Investing based on branding, not methodology. A clean app design and green colour scheme don't mean the fund is genuinely impactful. Read the PDSProduct Disclosure Statement. A legal document that must be provided before you invest, outlining the fund's strategy, risks, fees, and key information.. Check the holdings. Look at the screening criteria.

Ignoring fees because they seem small. A 1% fee doesn't sound like much. Over 30 years on a growing portfolio, it can cost you tens of thousands of dollars. Compare fee structures carefully.

Switching platforms every six months. Compounding needs time. Pick a platform that aligns with your values and stick with it. Constant switching resets your progress.

Expecting guaranteed returns. All investments carry risk. Ethical investments are not exempt. Anyone promising guaranteed returns is either lying or not regulated.

beginner-friendly platform comparison

platform	beginner friendly	minimum	auto-managed	impact depth
inaam	Yes, app-guided	$10/month	Fully managed	24 companies, 5 pillars
Australian Ethical	Yes, established	$1,000	Fully managed	Comprehensive ESG charter
Raiz Invest	Yes, round-ups	$5	Fully managed	One ethical portfolio option
Spaceship	Yes, simple app	No minimum	Fully managed	Earth portfolio (sustainability tilt)
BetaShares ETHI	Requires broker	~$10-15	Self-directed	Ethical screening methodology

All platforms listed are regulated under Australian financial services law. Features and fees may change. Always verify current details before investing.

which type of platform suits you

If you want someone else to handle everything, look at managed fund apps like inaam, Australian Ethical, or Spaceship. You choose the fund, they manage the portfolio. Good for people who want impact without the complexity.

If you want more control, consider ETFs like BetaShares ETHI through a brokerage account. You buy and sell the ETF yourself. More flexibility, but more decisions to make.

If you want to invest passively without thinking about it, Raiz's round-up feature automatically invests your spare change. Low effort, low commitment, but the ethical portfolio is just one of several options, not the default.

frequently asked questions

what should a beginner look for in an impact investing app?

Five things: ASIC regulation, transparent fees, clear impact methodology, portfolio transparency, and a low minimum investment. If a platform can't clearly answer these, keep looking.

what are common mistakes first-time impact investors make?

Investing based on marketing rather than methodology, ignoring fees, not reading the PDS, switching platforms frequently, and expecting guaranteed returns. All investments carry risk, including ethical ones.

how do i know if an impact investing app is legitimate?

Check for an AFSL number, a published PDS, and a listed Responsible Entity. You can verify these on ASIC's website. If a platform doesn't have these, it's not legally authorised to offer financial products in Australia.

see how it works

disclaimer: inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). General information only, not financial advice. Not a bank deposit. All investments carry risk, including the risk of losing the money you invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Consider the PDS and TMD before investing. This page contains comparisons with other financial products for educational purposes only. inaam is not affiliated with any other platform mentioned. Feature and product information was accurate as of March 2026. Always verify current details with each provider.

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learning lab

social inequality
impact funds
in australia

Most impact investing conversations focus on the environment. Social inequality gets less attention, but it is just as investable. Here is what screening for social outcomes actually looks like.

by: inaam team published: march 2026 read time: 5 min

the social side of impact investing

When people think "impact investing," they usually picture solar panels and recycling. Environmental impact gets most of the attention. But the "S" in ESG covers something equally important: social outcomes. Healthcare access. Fair labour practices. Financial inclusion. Education. Diversity. These are all investable themes.

The challenge is that social impact is harder to measure than environmental impact. You can count tonnes of carbon avoided. Counting "inequality reduced" is less straightforward. That doesn't mean it can't be done. It means the metrics require more nuance.

what social screening looks like in practice

Social screening in investment funds typically takes two forms:

Negative screening: excluding companies that contribute to social harm. Weapons manufacturers, companies with poor labour rights records, businesses exploiting vulnerable populations, companies involved in modern slavery supply chains.

Positive screening: actively selecting companies that create social value. Healthcare companies expanding access to underserved communities. Financial services companies enabling inclusion. Education technology companies reaching marginalised groups.

Most Australian impact funds use both, but the depth varies significantly. Some apply basic exclusions and call it social screening. Others actively measure social outcomes per holding.

how platforms approach social impact

platform	social screening approach	key social themes	social impact reporting
Australian Ethical	Ethical Charter (positive + negative)	Labour rights, community, justice	Annual impact report
inaam	Curated selection across 5 pillars	Health, wellbeing, sustainable consumption	Per-holding in-app
Future Super	Negative screening + engagement	Human rights, labour standards	Annual + quarterly reports
BetaShares ETHI	Rules-based ethical screening	Human rights, labour (exclusions)	Limited social reporting
Vanguard VESG	ESG integration + exclusions	Broad ESG factors	Portfolio-level ESG scores

Social screening approaches evolve. Check each platform's current methodology and PDS for the most up-to-date information.

measuring what matters

The UN Sustainable Development Goals17 global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a blueprint for peace and prosperity. Many impact funds map their investments to specific SDGs to measure and communicate impact. provide a useful framework. SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) are the most relevant for social impact investing.

Some funds map each holding to specific SDGs. This gives you a clearer picture of what social outcomes your money is supporting. Others report at the portfolio level, which is less specific but still useful.

The honest assessment is that social impact measurement across the industry is still developing. Environmental metrics are further ahead. If social outcomes matter to you, ask the fund exactly how they measure and report on them. Vague answers are a red flag.

frequently asked questions

what does social inequality screening look like in impact investing?

It evaluates companies on their contribution to reducing social disparities, including healthcare access, financial inclusion, education, and fair labour practices. Funds may positively screen for companies creating social value, negatively screen out companies that exploit vulnerable populations, or both.

which australian impact funds focus on social inequality?

Australian Ethical applies comprehensive social screening through their Ethical Charter. inaam includes health and wellbeing companies addressing social outcomes. Future Super screens for human rights and labour standards. Most Australian impact funds include some social criteria, but few focus exclusively on social inequality.

how is social impact measured in investment funds?

Social impact is harder to quantify than environmental impact. Common metrics include healthcare access numbers, jobs created in underserved communities, board diversity, wage fairness ratios, and financial inclusion metrics. The UN Sustainable Development Goals provide a widely-used framework.

see how it works

disclaimer: inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). General information only, not financial advice. Not a bank deposit. All investments carry risk, including the risk of losing the money you invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Consider the PDS and TMD before investing. This page contains comparisons with other financial products for educational purposes only. inaam is not affiliated with any other platform mentioned. Feature and product information was accurate as of March 2026. Always verify current details with each provider.

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learning lab

impact investing app
for uni students
in australia

Student budget. Long time horizon. Strong values. If that sounds like you, here is how to choose an impact investing app that actually works for your situation.

by: inaam team published: march 2026 read time: 5 min

why starting at uni matters

You have the one thing wealthy investors pay for and can't get: time. A 20-year-old investing $10/month has 45 years until retirement age. That is 45 years of compoundingWhen the returns on your investment earn their own returns. Over long periods, compounding can turn small regular investments into significant sums., which is the single most powerful force in investing. Starting five years later cuts that runway significantly.

The amount doesn't matter as much as the habit. Building the muscle of regular investing while you're young means it's automatic by the time your income grows. You're not trying to find money to invest later. It's already happening.

student-specific considerations

Student budgets are tight. That shapes what matters in an investing app:

Low minimum: you need to start with $5-10, not $1,000.
Flexible commitments: you should be able to pause if money is tight.
Accessible withdrawals: if something goes wrong, you need your money back within days, not months.
Fee awareness: flat fees hit harder on small balances. Understand what you're paying relative to what you hold.
Values alignment: if you're going to invest on a student budget, it should matter to you beyond the returns.

student-friendly platform comparison

platform	minimum	monthly cost	can pause	impact focus
inaam	$10/month	$10 flat	Check terms	Full impact fund (24 companies)
Raiz Invest	$5	$3.50 (under $15k)	Yes	One ethical portfolio option
Spaceship	No minimum	No platform fee	Yes	Earth portfolio (sustainability tilt)
Australian Ethical	$1,000	~0.95-1.69% p.a.	Yes	Comprehensive ESG charter
BetaShares ETHI	~$10-15	0.59% p.a.	N/A (buy/sell)	Ethical screening

Fees and features change. Always check the current PDS and platform terms before investing. Don't invest money you need for essentials.

the fee trap on small balances

This needs to be said honestly. Flat monthly fees on small balances can be expensive in percentage terms. $3.50/month on a $100 balance is 42% per year in fees. That is punishing. The fee only becomes reasonable as your balance grows.

This doesn't mean platforms with flat fees are bad. It means you should understand the maths. If you're investing $10/month and paying $3.50 in platform fees, over a third of your investment is going to fees until your balance grows large enough for the percentage to drop. Percentage-based fees scale more fairly for small balances.

inaam's $10/month is both the investment and the fee rolled into one subscription. Raiz charges $3.50/month on top of your investments. Spaceship charges no platform fee. Each model works differently depending on your balance size.

45

years of compounding if you start investing at 20. that's your biggest advantage. use it.

frequently asked questions

what is the best impact investing app for australian uni students?

It depends on your budget. inaam offers $10/month for a curated impact fund. Raiz starts from $5 with round-ups. Spaceship has no minimum and low fees. Australian Ethical requires $1,000 minimum. All are ASIC-regulated. The best choice depends on what you can afford and what impact depth matters to you.

how much should a uni student invest per month?

Whatever you can afford after essentials. Rent, food, textbooks, and transport come first. $10-50/month is a genuine start. Consistency matters more than size. Don't skip meals to invest.

is impact investing worth it on a student budget?

Yes, if you can afford it without financial stress. Starting young gives you the longest time horizon for compounding. Building the habit early makes it automatic by the time you're earning more. But investing should never come at the cost of financial stability.

see how it works

disclaimer: inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). General information only, not financial advice. Not a bank deposit. All investments carry risk, including the risk of losing the money you invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Consider the PDS and TMD before investing. This page contains comparisons with other financial products for educational purposes only. inaam is not affiliated with any other platform mentioned. Feature and product information was accurate as of March 2026. Always verify current details with each provider.

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learning lab

sustainable investment
platform guide
for australians

ETFs, managed funds, apps, super. There are more ways to invest sustainably in Australia than ever. Here is how to make sense of the options and find what fits.

by: inaam team published: march 2026 read time: 6 min

the four types of sustainable platforms

Not all sustainable investment platforms work the same way. Understanding the differences helps you choose one that matches your situation, not someone else's.

managed fund apps

Professional fund managers build and maintain the portfolio. You invest money, they handle everything else. Examples: inaam (curated 24-company impact fund), Australian Ethical (managed funds with comprehensive ESG screening). Best for people who want impact investing without making investment decisions themselves.

micro-investing apps

Designed for small, regular investments. Often include round-ups or automatic deposits. Examples: Raiz Invest (ethical portfolio option among several), Spaceship (Earth portfolio with sustainability tilt). Best for people who want to invest passively with minimal effort.

ETF platforms

ETFsExchange-Traded Funds. Investment funds traded on a stock exchange, combining the diversification of managed funds with the tradability of individual shares. are funds you buy and sell on the stock exchange, like shares. Examples: BetaShares ETHI (ethical screening), Vanguard VESG (ESG integration). You need a brokerage account to buy them. Best for self-directed investors who want low fees and liquidity.

super funds

Sustainable superannuation for retirement savings. Examples: Future Super (fossil-fuel-free screening), Australian Ethical Super. Your money is locked until retirement (with limited exceptions). Best for aligning your retirement savings with your values.

what "sustainable" actually means

Here is the uncomfortable truth: there is no single legal definition of "sustainable" in Australian investment marketing. ASICAustralian Securities and Investments Commission. The government body that regulates financial services and consumer credit in Australia. has cracked down on greenwashing, but the word itself covers a range of approaches.

Some platforms exclude harmful industries and call that sustainable. Others actively invest in companies solving problems and call that sustainable. Both technically are, but the depth of impact is different. A fund that excludes tobacco but still holds mining companies is "sustainable" by its own definition. Whether that matches your definition is a different question.

The PDS tells you exactly what methodology a fund uses. Read it. If a platform calls itself sustainable but can't explain its screening process clearly, be sceptical.

platform comparison

platform	type	minimum	fees	sustainability approach
Australian Ethical	Managed fund	$1,000	0.95-1.69% p.a.	Comprehensive Ethical Charter
inaam	Managed fund app	$10/month	$10/month flat	Curated 24-company impact fund
BetaShares ETHI	ETF	~$10-15	0.59% p.a.	Rules-based ethical screening
Vanguard VESG	ETF	~$50-60	0.18% p.a.	ESG integration + exclusions
Raiz Invest	Micro-investing	$5	$3.50/month + 0.275%	Ethical portfolio option
Spaceship	Managed fund app	No minimum	0.05-0.10% p.a.	Earth portfolio (sustainability tilt)
Future Super	Super fund	Via employer	~1.1-1.3% p.a.	Fossil-fuel-free screening

Fees, minimums, and features change. Always check the current PDS and product terms before investing.

how to avoid greenwashing

Three practical steps:

Read the methodology, not just the marketing. Every fund's PDS explains what it screens for. If the marketing says "sustainable" but the PDS shows weak exclusions, the marketing is doing heavy lifting.
Check the holdings. Can you see what companies the fund owns? If not, you can't verify any of the claims.
Look at what's excluded and what isn't. A fund that excludes tobacco but holds fossil fuel companies has a different definition of sustainable than you might expect.

etf vs managed fund: the trade-offs

ETFs are cheaper. Management fees for BetaShares ETHI are 0.59% per year. Vanguard VESG is 0.18%. That is significantly less than most managed funds. If cost efficiency is your priority, ETFs win.

Managed funds are more curated. A human team selects and monitors companies, making judgment calls that rules-based ETFs can't. inaam's 24-company portfolio is an example of deep curation. Australian Ethical's team actively engages with companies. If impact depth is your priority, managed funds may be worth the higher fees.

Neither approach is objectively better. It depends on what you value more: breadth and low cost, or depth and active management.

frequently asked questions

what types of sustainable investment platforms exist in australia?

Four main types: managed fund apps (professionals manage your portfolio), micro-investing apps (small automatic investments), ETF platforms (buy ethical funds on the stock exchange), and super funds (sustainable retirement savings). Each has different minimums, fees, and impact depth.

what does "sustainable" actually mean when platforms use the word?

There is no single legal definition. Some platforms exclude harmful industries, some select companies with strong ESG scores, some actively invest in companies solving problems. The PDS tells you the actual methodology. If a platform calls itself sustainable but can't explain how, be sceptical.

how do i avoid greenwashing when choosing a sustainable platform?

Read the PDS and methodology, not just the marketing. Check if the fund publishes full holdings. Look at what the fund actually excludes. ASIC has taken action against greenwashing, but the responsibility is still on you to verify claims against reality.

see how it works

disclaimer: inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). General information only, not financial advice. Not a bank deposit. All investments carry risk, including the risk of losing the money you invest. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Consider the PDS and TMD before investing. This page contains comparisons with other financial products for educational purposes only. inaam is not affiliated with any other platform mentioned. Feature and product information was accurate as of March 2026. Always verify current details with each provider.

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ethical consumption

how to shop sustainably in australia

A practical guide to ethical consumption in Australia. Where to shop, what to look for, and how to tell the difference between genuine impact and marketing.

category: consumer guide updated: march 2026 read time: 7 min

what does sustainable shopping actually mean

Sustainable shopping means choosing products and businesses that minimise environmental harm and maximise social good across their supply chain. It is not about perfection. It is about making more informed choices with the information available to you.

In Australia, there is no single certification that covers everything. Instead, you are navigating a patchwork of labels, claims, and marketing language. Some of it is genuine. Some of it is greenwashing. This guide helps you tell the difference.

the five things that actually matter

Before you look at any specific business, these are the criteria worth paying attention to.

Supply chain transparency. Can the business tell you where their materials come from and who made them? If they can't answer this, the sustainability claims are just words.
Certifications with teeth. B Corp, Fair Trade, GOTS (for textiles), Australian Certified Organic. These require audits. "Eco-friendly" on the label requires nothing.
Circular design. Does the product have a plan for its end of life? Can it be repaired, recycled, or composted? Or does it end up in landfill like everything else?
Local and small over global and big. A Melbourne maker using recycled materials has a shorter supply chain, more accountability, and more community impact than a multinational with a sustainability report nobody reads.
The business model itself. Is the core business built around reducing harm, or is sustainability a side project? A company that sells fast fashion with a recycling bin at the door is not the same as a company that designs for longevity.

where to shop sustainably in melbourne

We maintain an impact-aligned business directory of vetted Melbourne businesses. Here are highlights across key categories.

sustainable fashion

Clothing the Gap is an Aboriginal-owned fashion label creating streetwear that centres First Nations culture. Each piece is designed by Aboriginal artists, with profits going back to community. Mutual Muse in Brunswick curates pre-loved designer pieces, extending the life of quality garments.

For global brands with genuine credentials, Patagonia remains the standard for supply chain transparency and repair-first philosophy. Allbirds publishes the carbon footprint of every product.

recycling and circular economy

Reground collects spent coffee grounds from Melbourne cafes and converts them into garden products, body scrubs, and fire logs. Green Collect diverts office waste from landfill and provides employment for people facing barriers.

KeepCup and Frank Green are Melbourne-born reusable alternatives that have genuinely reduced single-use waste at scale.

food and ethical consumption

CERES in Brunswick East combines a community farm, environmental education, and a fair food grocery. Sister of Soul in St Kilda serves plant-based meals with a focus on wholefood, community-first dining.

home and lifestyle

Koala makes furniture from responsibly sourced materials with a transparent supply chain. Who Gives A Crap donates 50% of profits to building toilets in developing countries. Thankyou funds water, sanitation, and hygiene projects with every purchase.

how to spot greenwashing

Greenwashing is when a business spends more effort on appearing sustainable than on actually being sustainable. Here are the red flags.

Vague language. "Eco-friendly", "natural", "green", "conscious". None of these terms are regulated. They mean whatever the brand wants them to mean.
One good thing hiding many bad things. A fast fashion brand launching a "conscious collection" of 12 items while producing 3,000 items per week is not sustainable. It is marketing.
No data. Genuine sustainable businesses publish numbers. Carbon emissions, water usage, waste diverted. If there are no numbers, there is no accountability.
Offsetting instead of reducing. Buying carbon credits while increasing production is not progress. Look for businesses that are actually reducing their footprint.

certifications worth knowing

certification	what it covers	credibility
B Corp	Whole-business social and environmental performance	High. Requires rigorous third-party assessment every 3 years
Fair Trade	Fair wages, safe conditions, community development	High. Independent audits of supply chain
Australian Certified Organic	No synthetic chemicals, GMOs, or artificial additives	High. Annual audits by accredited certifiers
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)	Organic fibres, environmental and social criteria	High. Covers entire textile supply chain
"Eco-friendly" / "Natural"	Nothing specific	None. Not regulated. Anyone can use these terms

the inaam approach to ethical shopping

Our impact directory evaluates businesses across three criteria: financial robustness, purposeful impact, and leadership calibre. This is the same framework we use for our investment portfolio, adapted for consumer-facing businesses.

We are not trying to build the world's largest directory. We are trying to build a useful one. Every business listed has been reviewed against our methodology. If you think a business belongs in the directory, they can apply as an impact partner.

frequently asked questions

is sustainable shopping more expensive?

Sometimes. Ethical products often cost more upfront because they pay fair wages and use better materials. But products designed for longevity cost less over time than cheap replacements. And shopping second-hand is almost always cheaper than buying new.

can individual shopping choices really make a difference?

On their own, probably not. But consumer demand shapes markets. When enough people choose ethical options, businesses notice. Your choices send a signal about what kind of economy you want to live in.

what if i can't afford to shop sustainably for everything?

Start where it matters most to you. Pick one category, whether it is fashion, food, or home products, and make better choices there. Nobody is asking you to overhaul your entire life overnight.

explore the directory

disclaimer: This guide is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The businesses mentioned are part of inaam's impact directory and have been assessed against our methodology. Inclusion in this guide does not represent an endorsement or guarantee of any business. inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126).

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about inaam

the impactOS reinventing investing to change the world

impact investing platform for young australians. $10/month. ASIC regulated.

what is inaam

inaam is an Australian impact investing platform that helps 18-30 year olds build personalised investment portfolios aligned with causes they care about. We embed investment literacy right into the process and curate micro portfolios of 10-15 listed impact stocks from around the world.

460

downloads

$50K

AUM

ASIC

regulated

$10/mo

subscription

meet arj

founder and ceo of inaam

Arjun Agarwal

founder and ceo, inaam

arjagarwal.com

born in nagpur

same state as Mumbai. famous for its oranges, not much else.

raised in johannesburg

post-Apartheid South Africa. born free generation. privilege that never sat right.

afrika tikkun

worked alongside Nelson Mandela's patronage. teach someone to teach others and the whole community moves.

launched ivyspace

bumped into two Yale grads in a lift. scaled a peer-to-peer mentoring edtech across South Africa. 96% success rate.

blockchain fund at 18

South Africa's first. quadrupled the fund in 6 months. liquidated before the crash. everyone kept their money.

lost dad, moved to india

had to pull up my socks. consulting while finishing my degree. moved to India for mum's recovery.

investec

emailed the CEO directly. built a custom Bloomberg Terminal. helped close half a billion in renewable energy deals.

masters at unimelb

rejected first. wrote an appeal. arrived February 2020. three weeks on campus, then lockdown.

inaam born

the final deliverable of my masters became the mission of my career.

today

TEDx speaker. ex-Portfolio Manager at KPMG High Growth Ventures. 101 South Asian Australian Founders list. still building inaam.

the impact flywheel

invest

customers invest in curated impact opportunities through embedded literacy

build

investments support continuous impact across global markets

giveback

inaam reinvests up to 50% of its own profits back into the impact ecosystem to back underrepresented founders

grow

impact flows through the cap table, advisory board, team, customers and portfolio creating a flywheel of follow-on impact

dual returns. no brainer.

the vision

the impact capital of the world

see how your money can work

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inaam Impact Investments Pty Ltd ABN 39 653 593 018. Corporate Authorised Representative (CAR No. 1318254) of Non Correlated Advisors Pty Ltd (ABN 61 158 314 982, AFSL 430126). Primary Securities Ltd (ABN 96 089 812 635, AFSL 224107) is the Responsible Entity of the inaam Impact Investments Fund (ARSN 691 614 132). General information only, not financial advice. Not a bank deposit. All investments carry risk. Consider the PDS and TMD before investing. inaam.me.

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ChatGPT: The Clearance

The Three Pillars of Sustainable Investing

The Beginners Guide to Sustainable Investing

impact-aligned businesses near you

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how we pick companies

financial robustness

purposeful impact

leadership calibre

see where your money goes

five pillars of impact

health & wellbeing

renewable energy

waste & recycling

sustainable agriculture

sustainable consumption

how we measure real impact

resources

ChatGPT: The Clearance

The Three Pillars of Sustainable Investing

The Beginners Guide to Sustainable Investing (2025 edition)

What Are Thematic ETFs?

What is a PE Ratio and Why Should You Care?

What Does "Sustainability" Actually Mean?

What I Wish I Knew about Investing at 22

EBITDA Explained for First-Time Investors

What is a Portfolio and Why Should Young Investors Care in 2025?

A Simple Guide to ETFs for New Investors

Impact Investing in Australia: A 2025 Guide for Young Investors

Choosing Impact Investment Funds for Young Australians

Best Impact Investing Apps for Australian Students

Transparent Impact Investment Portfolios

Social Inequality Impact Funds

Impact Investing for Uni Students

Best Sustainable Investment Platform

Best Impact Investment Funds

Impact Investing Dashboard App

Recurring Contributions to Impact Investing

Portfolio Transparency in Impact Investing

Low-Minimum Sustainable Funds

Impact Investing vs Benchmarks

Beginner's Guide to Choosing an Impact App

Social Inequality Impact Funds

Impact Investing App for Uni Students

Sustainable Investment Platform Guide

the three pillars of sustainable investing

what are ESG, SRI and impact investing?

ESG - the filter

SRI - the curator

impact investing - the inspirer

impact investing is the way forward

how to select what works?

benefits of impact focused investing

aligning wealth with a deeper purpose

access to future-proof markets

how to evaluate the risks?

how inaam makes impact investing simple

a note for the future 'you'

related reading

the beginners guide to sustainable investing (2025 edition)

what is sustainable investing?