Regenerative Capitalism: Rebuilding the Forgotten Neighborhood
Contribution Review by
Christopher P. Skroupa, Editor-in-Chief, Skytop Media Group
This contribution is a compelling treatment of how evolved market thinking—particularly regenerative capitalism—can reverse urban decay and inspire community revival. It opens with a stark portrait of a neglected neighborhood, emblematic of broader patterns in American cities, where prosperity coexists alongside systemic abandonment. Traditional capitalism has failed these areas not for lack of potential, but because conventional investors can’t justify the risk-reward calculation.
Yet the author reframes this challenge as an opportunity. Enter the blended capital stack: a model where various types of capital—public grants, catalytic and concessionary funds, and risk-adjusted market-rate investments—work together to finance high-impact projects. Central to this model is the insight that some investors willingly accept lower financial returns in exchange for long-term social or environmental gains. Their support reduces the risk for alpha-seeking investors, making once-unviable ventures attractive and scalable.
A case study in affordable middle-class housing shows how this approach can transform a community. When housing is built for teachers, nurses, and public servants, the benefits cascade—lower living costs spur local spending, reduce employee turnover, and reinvigorate small businesses and banks. One building becomes a platform for neighborhood renewal.
This isn’t hypothetical. Across real estate and other sectors, entrepreneurs and impact investors are already deploying blended capital stacks to fund inclusive growth. It’s complex work but deeply rewarding—and smart. This contribution invites readers to consider regenerative capitalism, a model that uses market forces to repair and uplift society and the planet.
Whether you’re an investor, policymaker, or entrepreneur, the question posed is poignant: Could you rethink return on investment? Could you contribute to a new ecosystem of finance that prioritizes shared prosperity?
This isn’t just economic theory—it’s an inspiring roadmap for unlocking entrenched value in overlooked places. Readers should engage with this piece because it redefines capitalism not as the source of urban failure, but as the vehicle for renewal. It’s a manifesto for building more equitable cities—one investment, one neighborhood, one partnership at a time.
A Conversation Between Christopher P. Skroupa, Skytop Editor-in-Chief, and Frederik Vossenaar, Executive Advisor, Dutch Greenhouse Delta / May 2, 2025
Frederik Vossenaar is Executive Advisor at Dutch Greenhouse Delta, a foundation that promotes Dutch horticulture technology. He joined the organization after a decades-long career at the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature that took him to many countries and continents.
He graduated in agricultural economics at Wageningen University before entering the Dutch Foreign Agricultural Service. He started his career in Paris, with an accreditation to the OECD. Later, he had postings as agricultural counsellor at the Dutch embassies in Tokyo and in Seoul, after which he served in Bangkok with a regional responsibility. He was head of the International Nature Management department in the ministry and was spokesperson for several multilateral organizations. In 2002, he was posted in Tokyo again as agricultural counsellor, followed by a posting in Buenos Aires in a regional capacity. Vossenaar played an important role in making the soy trade more sustainable with his involvement with the Round Table on Responsible Soy.
In 2014 he was appointed as special envoy of the Ministry of Agriculture to develop new business opportunities for the private sector. He led economic missions to several countries in Asia, India and the Middle East and gained wide experience with complex trade issues and market access negotiations.
He wrote several books, about Thailand and Japan, and was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese government in 2024. Vossenaar has been advisor on food security issues for various philanthropic institutions. He joined the Hague Center for Strategic Studies as Strategic Advisor on Food and Agriculture in November 2024.
Christopher P. Skroupa: What are the underlying drivers behind the Netherlands as a leader and driver of recent surges in new capital moving into startups or into innovative AgriTech companies?
Frederik Vossenaar: The Netherlands is known worldwide as an agricultural superpower. In addition, our country is also a leading player in food ingredients and processed foods. We owe this prominent position to a combination of innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), advanced higher education institutions, Wageningen University & Research, and multinationals such as Unilever, Corbion, Cosun, FrieslandCampina, DSM-Firmenich and Upfield. These companies are firmly anchored in the Netherlands with both…