Episode 22: SME finance, sustainable sports and hydrogen racing cars

Regional inequality and the "social" pillar of ESG strategies drive the need for targeted investment in UK micro-SMEs. Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) bridge critical lending gaps for underserved businesses, offering a scalable model for regional economic growth. Beyond finance, sustainable motorsport serves as a high-impact testing ground for green technology. Formula E leverages city-center racing to accelerate electric vehicle adoption and infrastructure development, while Extreme E’s upcoming transition to hydrogen-based racing aims to address climate change in remote, off-grid communities. These initiatives demonstrate how sports function as a powerful conduit for both technological innovation and public engagement, proving that sustainable transitions in mobility and energy are achievable, scalable, and commercially viable across diverse sectors.