Automating Impact: How AI Powers TBLI’s Investor Matchmaking

Simple Tech Talk

In this episode, we sit down with Robert Rubinstein, founder of the TBLI Group, one of the original pioneers in ESG and impact investing. With over 40 international summits and nearly three decades of mobilizing capital for good, Robert shares why he believes most of today’s sustainable finance movement is still just performance art—and what needs to change.

We cover how technology like AI is enabling real matchmaking between founders and funders, why Trust VC is bringing radical transparency to private equity, and how ESG needs less marketing and more accountability. Plus, Robert drops some brutally honest advice for founders about desperation, due diligence, and knowing when to walk away.

If you care about reshaping finance, raising capital the right way, or building a regenerative business—this one’s for you.

Chapters

• 00:00 – Intro to Robert Rubinstein: Founder of TBLI Group and ESG pioneer
• 01:01 – From oil rigs to founding Europe's first sustainability management magazine
• 02:49 – Why Robert targeted 100 asset owners to reshape global finance
• 04:41 – The “predictable alpha males” of finance and why ESG is just education
• 06:13 – Behavioral economics: money flow matters more than morality
• 08:07 – Why fund managers resisted ESG: bonuses, benchmarks, and burnout
• 11:47 – Europe vs. US: Why ESG progress depends on geography
• 13:40 – Why Robert focuses on illiquid assets over public markets
• 15:10 – Exposing greenwashing: The Better World Prize and why top firms opt out
• 20:18 – Sustainability isn’t a sacrifice—it’s resilience and cost reduction
• 23:51 – Automating investor-founder matchmaking with AI at TBLI
• 27:12 – Finding cultural fit: why personality matters more than pitch decks
• 29:19 – Launching Trust VC: A Glassdoor for venture capital
• 35:05 – Founders, stop being desperate: You have what they need
• 41:18 – Robert’s biggest leadership lesson: filter out the extractive people
• 46:25 – His future hope: make impact investing accessible to retail investors

Notable Quotes

• “Don’t shout Mandarin at someone who speaks Italian. ESG is a translation problem.”
• “Sustainability isn’t sacrifice. It’s resilience—and it’s cheaper.”
• “Most VCs never ran a business. Don’t assume they know more than you.”
• “Founders: if the partner’s not right, walk away. There’s more money than there are great ideas.”
• “Greenwashing is easy. Accountability isn’t. That’s why we built the Better World Prize.”

Links & Resources

• Robert Rubinstein on LinkedIn
• TBLI Group Website
• Taran Agarwal on LinkedIn
• Simplify Tech Website