Cambridge, Massachusetts, February 14, 2017 – ImpactAssets has released its 2016 impact investing showcase, the ImpactAssets 50 (IA 50), a free online resource for investors and financial advisors. The sixth annual guide features fund managers representing private debt and equity investments that deliver social and environmental impact as well as financial returns.
“We’re thrilled to be a part of the IA 50 for a sixth consecutive year,” said Willy Foote, founder and CEO of Root Capital. “It’s exciting to be showcased among dozens of organizations that both offer financial returns and demonstrate a clear commitment to positive social and environmental impact.”
Firms included in the IA 50 2016 manage an estimated $10.6B in assets devoted to creating positive social and environmental impact.
The IA 50 is the only free, public, searchable database of outstanding impact investing fund managers. This year’s showcase, which includes funds based in the United States, Africa, Europe and Latin America, highlights the increasingly diverse opportunities for investors to help create social value across the globe. The firms included represent a breadth of asset classes, ranging from real assets like farmland and clean tech, private thematic debt and community development finance institution (CDFI) financing, to private early and growth stage equity in US and emerging markets.
The list demonstrates an increased thematic focus on alternative energy, climate change and clean technology. Firms continue to focus as well on affordable housing and community development, sustainable agriculture and low-income financial services and micro-insurance.
The IA 50 Review Committee is chaired by Jed Emerson, Chief Impact Strategist of ImpactAssets. Jennifer Kenning, CEO and Co-Founder of Align Impact served as the Committee’s Senior Investment Advisor. Members include, Karl “Charly” Kleissner, Co-Founder of Toniic and KL Felicitas Foundation; Kathy Leonard, Senior Vice President, Investments and Senior Portfolio Manager for UBS; Deval Patrick, Managing Director of Bain Capital; Liesel Pritzker Simmons and Ian Simmons; Co-Founders of Blue Haven Initiative; Fran Seegull, Executive Director, U.S. Impact Investing Alliance of Ford Foundation and Matthew Weatherley-White, Managing Director of The CAPROCK Group.
“As impact investing continues to move from niche to mainstream, those new to the field – as well as impact veterans – appreciate the IA 50’s broad overview of innovative fund strategies,” said Jed Emerson, Chief Impact Strategist, ImpactAssets. “The IA 50 roster offers a great overview of innovative managers and diverse approaches to creating impact with investment capital.”
“The depth, breadth and caliber of this year’s IA 50 applicants are testimony to the increased demand by investors for high-impact solutions,” said Jennifer Kenning, CEO and Co-Founder, Align Impact.
The IA 50 is not an index or investable platform and does not constitute an offering or recommend specific products. It is not a replacement for due diligence. In order to be considered for the IA 50 2016, fund managers needed to have at least $10M in assets under management, more than 3 years of experience as a firm with impact investing and documented social and/or environmental impact, as well as accept investment from U.S.-based investors. Additional details on the selection process are here.
About Root Capital
Root Capital is an agricultural impact investor that grows rural prosperity in poor, environmentally vulnerable places in Africa, Asia, and Latin America by providing capital, delivering financial training, and strengthening market connections for small and growing agricultural businesses. Since 1999, Root Capital has disbursed more than $1 billion in credit to 632 businesses, representing over 1.2 million smallholder farmers. Root Capital’s clients produce dozens of different agricultural products, from coffee, cocoa, and cashews, to staple grains, to wild-harvested products like natural gums and shea butter. For specific client examples, see: http://www.rootcapital.org/portfolio
About ImpactAssets
ImpactAssets is a nonprofit financial services firm that increases the flow of capital into investments that deliver financial, social, and environmental returns. ImpactAssets’ donor advised fund (The Giving Fund), Impact Investment Notes, and field building initiatives enable philanthropists, other asset owners, and their wealth advisors to advance social or environmental change through investment.