(3BL Media/Justmeans) – Increasing demand for a more socially responsible, purpose-driven finance has led to the emergence of innovative approaches to impact investing. Although impact investing began many years ago as a niche activity practiced by large philanthropists, it is now spearheaded by a wide range of impact investment funds that are committed to the larger global goal of building a sustainable world.
The diverse approaches adopted by these impact investment funds are showcased in the newly released ImpactAssets 50 report, which reviews the activities and performance of some of the dedicated global fund managers focused on impact investing.
Accion
With an impact investment focus on media, technology and mobile, Accion is a global nonprofit dedicated to building a financially inclusive world with economic opportunity for all, by giving people the financial tools they need to improve their lives. The firm is building the next generation of top-tier microfinance institutions, and over more than 50 years has helped build 65 such institutions in 32 countries.
Adobe Capital
Adobe Capital, through its platform New Ventures (NV), is catalyzing social and environmental companies in Latam through financing, acceleration and promotion. Adobe Capital, the financing arm of NV, provides tailored financing solutions and technical assistance to exceptional, early-growth stage Mexican companies operating with competitive advantages in key development sectors where demand is high.
Althelia Ecosphere
Althelia Ecosphere is an impact investment manager that delivers financial returns that are fully aligned with the conservation of nature and sustainable social development. The firm leverages expertise and capital to define pathways for innovative solutions to the climate and environmental challenges facing society today.
Better Ventures
Better Ventures backs entrepreneurs building a better world. It provides funding and support to early-stage technology companies pursuing social and environmental objectives with high-growth business models. The fund typically invests $100k-400k at the seed stage, gets actively involved with our founders to help them build successful companies, and provides larger follow-on investments.
Bridges Ventures
Bridges Ventures specializes in sustainable and impact investing. The fund manager invests in business, properties and social sector organizations that are helping to address long-term social challenges, with a focus on four key impact themes: Health & Wellbeing, Education & Skills, Sustainable Living and Underserved Markets.
Community Investment Management
CIM provides strategic capital and serves as the leading investor voice for responsible and transparent financing to small businesses in the US through innovative marketplace lenders. CIM’s investment team possesses deep experience in responsible small business lending practices and alternative lending methodologies.
EcoEnterprise Fund
Since 1998, EcoEnterprises Fund has pioneered impact investments that create long-term livelihoods and boost resilience in rural communities, while encouraging the sustainable use and conservation of natural resources, preserving ecosystems and bio-diverse working landscapes, and mitigating climate risks.
Ecotrust Forest Management
EFM is a forestland investment and management company based in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 2004, the company has a 12 year track record of managing over 32,000 acres on behalf of private investors. It specializes in acquisition and management of commercially valuable, natural forests in the Western United States and target properties with unique social and environmental attributes.
Gray Ghost Ventures
Gray Ghost Ventures (GGV) is an impact investment firm dedicated to providing market-based capital solutions to entrepreneurs who are addressing the needs of low-income communities in emerging markets. GGV focuses on serving low-income communities, primarily in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, through for-profit, early-stage investments in operating companies that use innovative applications.
Iroquois Valley Farms
Iroquois Valley Farms is a farmland finance company that provides leasing and mortgage funding with a focus on the next generation of organic farmers. The company actively manages the capitalization structure and operating expenses of the business. All real assets owned by the company are leased to farmers. Each farmer operates their own business and markets, and manages and insures their production.
Vital Capital Fund
Vital Capital is a leading impact investment, private equity fund focused on improving the well-being of underserved sub-Saharan African communities while generating market rate returns for its investors. Since the inception of its 1st fund ($350M) in 2011, Vital has been demonstrating its No Trade-Off approach, by investing at-scale in the most impactful sectors across sub-Saharan Africa.
Source: Impact Assets
Image Credit: 3BL Media
This post was originally published on Justmeans.com
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