The Paulson Institute
The Paulson Institute is a Chicago-based non-partisan, non-profit "think and do tank" founded in 2011 by former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr., delivering independent research, convenings, and on-the-ground programs on US-China relations, green finance, and conservation to policymakers, business leaders, and academia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Paulson Institute does
The Paulson Institute is a non-partisan, non-profit "think and do tank" founded in 2011 by former U.S. Treasury Secretary and Goldman Sachs chairman Henry M. Paulson, Jr., with headquarters in Chicago and additional offices in Beijing and Washington, D.C. It operates at the intersection of US-China relations, green finance, and conservation, producing independent policy research, market-based solution design, and on-the-ground demonstration programs targeted at government policymakers, corporate and financial executives, and the academic community. The Institute is structured around three primary programs — Conservation (wetlands, national parks, responsible trade), the Green Finance Center (carbon, finance, fintech), and Insights/multimedia content — complemented by the Straight Talk and Nature's Ledger podcasts and the periodic Financing Nature report quantifying the global biodiversity financing gap. Revenue flows from philanthropic donations, foundation grants, and institutional partnerships, with all research, publications, and events provided free of charge in service of its educational mission.
The Paulson Institute firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Paulson Institute
- Legal name
- The Henry M. Paulson, Jr. Institute
- Website
- https://paulsoninstitute.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Paulson Institute is a Chicago-based non-partisan, non-profit "think and do tank" founded in 2011 by former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson, Jr., delivering independent research, convenings, and on-the-ground programs on US-China relations, green finance, and conservation to policymakers, business leaders, and academia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Paulson Institute industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Policy Research and Advocacy
- NAICS
- Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes (BPAGAFAO)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks (EDADADAA)
Keywords
Where The Paulson Institute is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
The Paulson Institute business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Non-profit funding and grants: The Paulson Institute operates as a non-partisan, non-profit think and do tank. It generates revenue through grants, donations, and partnerships rather than commercial product sales. The organization produces research, convenings, and policy analysis to advance sustainable growth, green finance, and conservation objectives.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
The Paulson Institute product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Paulson Institute is a non-partisan, non-profit think and do tank that produces independent policy research, convenings, and multimedia content focused on sustainable economic growth, green finance, and conservation at the intersection of US-China relations. Its core deliverables are the Conservation Program, the Green Finance Center, and multimedia content including podcasts, blogs, and the Financing Nature research report.
Product overview
The Paulson Institute is a non-partisan, non-profit 'think and do' tank offering research, convenings, and policy advocacy across three main areas: Conservation (wetlands, national parks, responsible trade), Green Finance (carbon, finance, fintech), and multimedia content (podcasts, videos, publications). The organization advances sustainable growth through market-based solutions and produces periodic financing gap analyses for biodiversity conservation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Conservation Program On-the-ground demonstration, capacity building, and policy advocacy to inform and shape global conservation policies and practices, including wetlands conservation, national parks, and responsible trade and investment; targeted at policymakers, conservation professionals, and partner organizations in the U.S. and China.
- Green Finance Center Program promoting market-driven solutions to support the transition to a low-carbon economy through work in carbon, finance, and fintech; targeted at financial institutions, policymakers, and corporate sustainability leaders.
- Straight Talk Podcast Podcast featuring in-depth conversations with world leaders, policymakers, and business leaders shaping policy, markets, and sustainable growth; targeted at policy, business, and academic audiences globally.
- Nature's Ledger Podcast Podcast exploring how business and conservation can work together for a sustainable and prosperous future, grounded in the belief that valuing nature is key to resilient economies; targeted at business leaders, policymakers, and conservation professionals.
- Financing Nature Report Research report analyzing the global biodiversity financing gap and providing recommendations for closing it; targeted at policymakers, finance ministries, multilateral development banks, and conservation funders.
Quantifiable outcome
- Helped encourage inscription of China's Yellow Sea Coastal Wetlands as World Heritage Site
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use The Paulson Institute
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Paulson Institute technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Paulson Institute partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.
- Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)coreJointly launched a report in Belém, Brazil outlining practical approaches to integrate ecosystems into infrastructure planning and mobilize private capital through standardized Public-Private Partnerships for Nature (PPPNs). The report proposes treating high-integrity ecosystems as infrastructure-grade investable assets.
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)coreCo-published report with AIIB and Paulson Institute on mobilizing private capital for nature in Belém. The three organizations committed to working with governments, regulators, MDBs, banks and investors to translate guidance into investment-ready PPPN pipelines.
- Convention on Wetlands Management Office of the People's Republic of ChinacoreCollaboration to strengthen capacity in wetland management through comprehensive multiple-year training program for wetland management personnel. Since 2015, 140 wetland professionals from 16 provinces have been trained.
- WWF Hong KongmajorPartner in wetland management training program, contributing expertise and hosting training sessions at Mai Po wetland nature reserve in Hong Kong.
- Lao Niu FoundationmajorCollaborating partner in wetland conservation and training initiatives, providing funding and support for capacity building programs.
- Heren Charitable FoundationsupportingPartner committed to implementing results and recommendations from the Coastal Wetlands Blueprint, including training and capacity building.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Paulson Institute competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Brookings Institution: One of the largest US policy research organizations with substantial China and sustainability programs. Overlaps with PI on US-China economic policy and on climate/green finance, but at much greater scale and broader topic coverage.
- Council on Foreign Relations: Premier US foreign-policy institution with deep China and global economics work, including through the Maurice R. Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies. Comparable to PI on convening power and policy relevance, though it does not focus on biodiversity or conservation.
- Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: Major foreign policy think tank with strong Asia and sustainability programs (Carnegie Climate Governance Initiative). Comparable mission profile to PI on independent international policy research, but with a much larger endowment and global footprint.
Direct peers
- Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars: Non-partisan policy research center with a dedicated Kissinger Institute on China and the United States and active environmental/sustainability work. Direct overlap with PI on US-China policy research and on independent convening of senior figures.
- Center for Strategic and International Studies: Bipartisan policy research organization with major China and energy/environmental programs. Competes with PI for convening senior officials and for influence on US-China policy, including technology and trade issues.
- World Resources Institute: Global research organization focused on environment and sustainable development, with active work on finance for nature and on China. Direct overlap with PI on Financing Nature-style analyses and on US-China sustainability collaboration.
- Peterson Institute for International Economics: Leading economics-focused think tank with deep China research bench and trade/finance policy work. Comparable to PI on US-China economic analysis and on providing market-oriented policy recommendations, though it does not specialize in conservation or biodiversity finance.
- Atlantic Council: International affairs think tank with dedicated US-China programs and a Global Energy Center that overlaps with PI's green finance work. Competes for the same high-level convening slots, podcast guests, and corporate-funder mindshare.
- Asia Society Policy Institute: Policy arm of the Asia Society focused on US-Asia relations, including US-China, with active programs on climate, sustainability, and economic policy. Direct competitor to PI for influence on US-China policy and convening authority with both governments.
Emerging players
- The Nature Conservancy: Large environmental NGO with significant China program and active engagement in nature-finance and conservation-finance partnerships (e.g., with MDBs). Comparable to PI on conservation outcomes and on mobilizing capital for nature, though more operational and program-driven than policy-driven.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Paulson Institute social profiles
Digital presenceThe Paulson Institute financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Paulson Institute leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles24 records
The Paulson Institute funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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The Paulson Institute M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about The Paulson Institute
What does The Paulson Institute do?
The Paulson Institute is a non-partisan, non-profit think and do tank that produces independent policy research, convenings, and multimedia content focused on sustainable economic growth, green finance, and conservation at the intersection of US-China relations. Its core deliverables are the Conservation Program, the Green Finance Center, and multimedia content including podcasts, blogs, and the Financing Nature research report.
Is The Paulson Institute a public or private company?
The Paulson Institute is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Paulson Institute founded?
The Paulson Institute was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is The Paulson Institute based?
The Paulson Institute is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does The Paulson Institute make money?
One revenue line is on record: non-profit funding and grants.
Who are The Paulson Institute's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Brookings Institution, Council on Foreign Relations and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Direct peers are Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Center for Strategic and International Studies, World Resources Institute, Peterson Institute for International Economics, Atlantic Council and Asia Society Policy Institute. The Nature Conservancy is listed as an emerging player.
Does The Paulson Institute have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Paulson Institute.
What industry is The Paulson Institute in?
The Paulson Institute's product category is Policy Research and Advocacy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAFAO, Think Tanks, Policy Research & Public Policy Institutes, with a secondary code of EDADADAA, Education Policy Research Institutes & Think Tanks. Its NAICS code is 54172.