Impact investing
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DATABASE (159)
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ARTICLES (293)
Founded over 110 years ago from several small agricultural cooperative banks, the Dutch commercial banking group Rabobank has over 10m customers across 47 countries. The banking group’s Rabo Investments vehicle manages Rabo Ventures with a €120m fund investing globally in early-stage fintech and agtech startups. There is also a €30m fund-of-funds to partner with leading VCs in other funding rounds like the $12m funding round of Dutch e-scooter company GO Sharing.The Rabobank Food & Agri Innovation Fund specializes in supporting enterprises involved in creating sustainable solutions for diverse food and agricultural sectors including livestock farms. Rabo F&A Innovation Fund currently has 11 agri-foodtech startups in its portfolio, including participation in a $12m Series A round of Vence, US-based virtual fencing tech company for livestock management.
Founded over 110 years ago from several small agricultural cooperative banks, the Dutch commercial banking group Rabobank has over 10m customers across 47 countries. The banking group’s Rabo Investments vehicle manages Rabo Ventures with a €120m fund investing globally in early-stage fintech and agtech startups. There is also a €30m fund-of-funds to partner with leading VCs in other funding rounds like the $12m funding round of Dutch e-scooter company GO Sharing.The Rabobank Food & Agri Innovation Fund specializes in supporting enterprises involved in creating sustainable solutions for diverse food and agricultural sectors including livestock farms. Rabo F&A Innovation Fund currently has 11 agri-foodtech startups in its portfolio, including participation in a $12m Series A round of Vence, US-based virtual fencing tech company for livestock management.
Beijing-based Telescope Investments is a VC/PE firm, investing primarily in consumer, supply chain, education, and healthcare sectors. Telescope is founded by Du Yucun, former CEO of Tianjin HomeWorld Group, a Chinese supermarket chain, and SAIF Partners. Du Yucun is the son of Du Sha, one of China’s most well-known and respected entrepreneurs. Du Sha is the founder and chairman of Pacific Links, a former acclaimed Professor of Economics at the Nankai University, and founder of HomeWorld Group. Yucun, former CEO of Tianjin HomeWorld Group, a Chinese supermarket chain, and SAIF Partners. Du Yucun is the son of Du Sha, one of China’s most well-known and respected entrepreneurs. Du Sha is the founder and chairman of Pacific Links, a former acclaimed Professor of Economics at the Nankai University, and founder of HomeWorld Group. Telescope is founded by Du Yucun, former CEO of Tianjin HomeWorld Group, a Chinese supermarket chain, and SAIF Partners. Du Yucun is the son of Du Sha, one of China’s most well-known and respected entrepreneurs. Du Sha is the founder and chairman of Pacific Links, a former acclaimed Professor of Economics at the Nankai University, and founder of HomeWorld Group.
Beijing-based Telescope Investments is a VC/PE firm, investing primarily in consumer, supply chain, education, and healthcare sectors. Telescope is founded by Du Yucun, former CEO of Tianjin HomeWorld Group, a Chinese supermarket chain, and SAIF Partners. Du Yucun is the son of Du Sha, one of China’s most well-known and respected entrepreneurs. Du Sha is the founder and chairman of Pacific Links, a former acclaimed Professor of Economics at the Nankai University, and founder of HomeWorld Group. Yucun, former CEO of Tianjin HomeWorld Group, a Chinese supermarket chain, and SAIF Partners. Du Yucun is the son of Du Sha, one of China’s most well-known and respected entrepreneurs. Du Sha is the founder and chairman of Pacific Links, a former acclaimed Professor of Economics at the Nankai University, and founder of HomeWorld Group. Telescope is founded by Du Yucun, former CEO of Tianjin HomeWorld Group, a Chinese supermarket chain, and SAIF Partners. Du Yucun is the son of Du Sha, one of China’s most well-known and respected entrepreneurs. Du Sha is the founder and chairman of Pacific Links, a former acclaimed Professor of Economics at the Nankai University, and founder of HomeWorld Group.
Famous techpreneur Li Yinan (b. 1970) is the former CTO of Baidu and former CEO of Wuxian Xunqi, a China Mobile subsidiary. After Li graduated from Huazhong University of Science & Technology with a master’s degree in Optics Engineering, he joined Huawei and was promoted to vice-president of its Central Research Department in just six months; in 1997 Li because the youngest vice-president at Huawei. In 2001, Li quit Huawei and started his own data communication company, Harbour Networks, which followed the same structure of Huawei and soon became its main competitor. In 2005, Harbour Networks lost in its intense battle with Huawei and was acquired by the larger player. Even though Li rejoined Huawei after the acquisition, he was never able to re-enter the core management team because of his damaged relationship with Ren Zhengfei, the founder and president of Huawei. In April 2015, Li founded his smart e-scooter company, NIU Smart Scooters. Li began investing in 2010 and joined GSR Ventures in 2011. Up to June 2015, Li had invested in more than 10 companies from the TMT sector. Li stood trial for insider trading in March 2016, according to news reports.
Famous techpreneur Li Yinan (b. 1970) is the former CTO of Baidu and former CEO of Wuxian Xunqi, a China Mobile subsidiary. After Li graduated from Huazhong University of Science & Technology with a master’s degree in Optics Engineering, he joined Huawei and was promoted to vice-president of its Central Research Department in just six months; in 1997 Li because the youngest vice-president at Huawei. In 2001, Li quit Huawei and started his own data communication company, Harbour Networks, which followed the same structure of Huawei and soon became its main competitor. In 2005, Harbour Networks lost in its intense battle with Huawei and was acquired by the larger player. Even though Li rejoined Huawei after the acquisition, he was never able to re-enter the core management team because of his damaged relationship with Ren Zhengfei, the founder and president of Huawei. In April 2015, Li founded his smart e-scooter company, NIU Smart Scooters. Li began investing in 2010 and joined GSR Ventures in 2011. Up to June 2015, Li had invested in more than 10 companies from the TMT sector. Li stood trial for insider trading in March 2016, according to news reports.
Zhongguancun Longmen Investment
Investing in hi-tech IT, advanced manufacturing and biotechnology sectors – key pillars of China’s innovation-focused economy since 2017 – the Beijing government-backed Beijing Zhongguancun Longmen Investment manages about RMB 10bn via its first fund of the same name. The firm is founded and led by Xu Jinghong, former Chairman of Tsinghua Holdings, the investment and tech/R&D transfer arm of China’s most prestigious science and research university, whose R&D capacity was ranked in the third place of China’s top 500 enterprises in 2018. The LPs of the fund include social security funds, Beijing’s municipal government and the Haidian District government. Its portfolio enterprises are generally ranked in the top three of their respective industries. Among them, Qi An Xin Technology, which is listed in Shanghai and one of China’s biggest cybersecurity companies; Joy Wing Mao, one of China’s major fruits supply chain companies. In October of 2020, it invested RMB 100m into Beijing Immunochina Pharmaceutical, which develops innovative gene and cell therapies for curing malignant tumors. Longmen also provides mentoring and other expertise and support to its investee startups, especially those that plan to seek public listing.
Investing in hi-tech IT, advanced manufacturing and biotechnology sectors – key pillars of China’s innovation-focused economy since 2017 – the Beijing government-backed Beijing Zhongguancun Longmen Investment manages about RMB 10bn via its first fund of the same name. The firm is founded and led by Xu Jinghong, former Chairman of Tsinghua Holdings, the investment and tech/R&D transfer arm of China’s most prestigious science and research university, whose R&D capacity was ranked in the third place of China’s top 500 enterprises in 2018. The LPs of the fund include social security funds, Beijing’s municipal government and the Haidian District government. Its portfolio enterprises are generally ranked in the top three of their respective industries. Among them, Qi An Xin Technology, which is listed in Shanghai and one of China’s biggest cybersecurity companies; Joy Wing Mao, one of China’s major fruits supply chain companies. In October of 2020, it invested RMB 100m into Beijing Immunochina Pharmaceutical, which develops innovative gene and cell therapies for curing malignant tumors. Longmen also provides mentoring and other expertise and support to its investee startups, especially those that plan to seek public listing.
Early-stage-focused VC firm with a €24m first fund mainly investing in B2B and B2C digital startups headquartered in Spain. Initial investment amounts range between €70,000 and €300,000, and followup investment amounts go up to €1m per company. Describing themselves as “momentum investors” seeking quick time-to-market projects, Encomenda Smart Capital was founded in 2017 and managed by renowned Spanish angel investors Carlos Blanco, Oriol Juncosa and Miguel Sanz Sanchez, along with a network of angel investors Encomenda supports the growth of startups' portfolios and helps startups to scale at national and international levels. Encomenda invests 30% in SaaS and in projects with a recurring income model; 20% are fintech, and they also bet on the human resources, edtech and healthcare. Just two out of 25 investments have folded up between 2017 and 2020, with half the fund monies committed. Encomenda is seeking to launch a second fund in 2022 focusing on Spanish and Portuguese startups, of €40m–€50m, and multi-stage, by starting in the early-stage investments, with follow-through investments in subsequent stages.
Early-stage-focused VC firm with a €24m first fund mainly investing in B2B and B2C digital startups headquartered in Spain. Initial investment amounts range between €70,000 and €300,000, and followup investment amounts go up to €1m per company. Describing themselves as “momentum investors” seeking quick time-to-market projects, Encomenda Smart Capital was founded in 2017 and managed by renowned Spanish angel investors Carlos Blanco, Oriol Juncosa and Miguel Sanz Sanchez, along with a network of angel investors Encomenda supports the growth of startups' portfolios and helps startups to scale at national and international levels. Encomenda invests 30% in SaaS and in projects with a recurring income model; 20% are fintech, and they also bet on the human resources, edtech and healthcare. Just two out of 25 investments have folded up between 2017 and 2020, with half the fund monies committed. Encomenda is seeking to launch a second fund in 2022 focusing on Spanish and Portuguese startups, of €40m–€50m, and multi-stage, by starting in the early-stage investments, with follow-through investments in subsequent stages.
Tony Fadell is the inventor of the iPod, co-inventor of the iPhone, and former CEO and founder of Nest Labs, which was later acquired by Google. He is also an angel investor and head of Paris-based deeptech advisory and investing firm Future Shape, which has over 200 companies in its portfolio and a focus on issues like the electrification and digital connection of things, biomanufacturing and the eradication of waste. Fadell has invested in at least 10 startups, with his most recent disclosed investments having taken place in 4Q20. These included his participation in the $7m seed round of London-based consumer technology and conceptual design house Nothing, the $45m Series B round of US biotech firm and vegan leather maker MycoWorks, well as the $31m Series A round of video call effects and presentation tools company mmhmm.
Tony Fadell is the inventor of the iPod, co-inventor of the iPhone, and former CEO and founder of Nest Labs, which was later acquired by Google. He is also an angel investor and head of Paris-based deeptech advisory and investing firm Future Shape, which has over 200 companies in its portfolio and a focus on issues like the electrification and digital connection of things, biomanufacturing and the eradication of waste. Fadell has invested in at least 10 startups, with his most recent disclosed investments having taken place in 4Q20. These included his participation in the $7m seed round of London-based consumer technology and conceptual design house Nothing, the $45m Series B round of US biotech firm and vegan leather maker MycoWorks, well as the $31m Series A round of video call effects and presentation tools company mmhmm.
Alison Gelb Pincus is an entrepreneur who co-founded One King’s Lane, a direct-to-consumer home decor company which was sold to Bed, Bath & Beyond, and more recently, sustainable packaging start-up kari.earth. She is also an angel investor and founder of Short List Capital, a San Francisco-based early-stage VC collective run by women. Short List Capital currently lists 20 companies in its portfolio, which has a focus on investing in e-commerce platforms with healthy, user-friendly or sustainable products. Gelb Pincus’s recent investments included participation in the May 2020 $5.3m seed round of US cookware maker Caraway and a 2015 investment in US-based unicorn Diamond Foundry, the first certified carbon-neutral lab-produced diamond manufacturer.Alison Gelb Pincus was married to Mark Pincus, the co-founder of Zynga and a founding investor in Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, and Xiaomi.
Alison Gelb Pincus is an entrepreneur who co-founded One King’s Lane, a direct-to-consumer home decor company which was sold to Bed, Bath & Beyond, and more recently, sustainable packaging start-up kari.earth. She is also an angel investor and founder of Short List Capital, a San Francisco-based early-stage VC collective run by women. Short List Capital currently lists 20 companies in its portfolio, which has a focus on investing in e-commerce platforms with healthy, user-friendly or sustainable products. Gelb Pincus’s recent investments included participation in the May 2020 $5.3m seed round of US cookware maker Caraway and a 2015 investment in US-based unicorn Diamond Foundry, the first certified carbon-neutral lab-produced diamond manufacturer.Alison Gelb Pincus was married to Mark Pincus, the co-founder of Zynga and a founding investor in Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, and Xiaomi.
Co-founded by Fabrice Grinder, a French tech entrepreneur and former consultant at McKinsey & Company, FJ Labs is a New York-based VC firm focused on online marketplaces. Co-founder Jose Marin is based in London. With the mantra “Entrepreneurs funding entrepreneurs,” FJ Labs does not take board seats. It has backed over 500 entrepreneurs, built over 20 companies and managed dozens of exits.To date, 58% of its investment portfolio companies are based in the US and Canada (mostly the US), 25% in Europe, 6% in Brazil, 2% in India and 9% in other countries. The VC is also increasing its presence in Brazil and India, as well as looking at smaller markets in Columbia, Algeria and Kenya. FJ Labs currently has 488 active investments, mainly at seed and pre-seed level, typically investing $390,000 at seed level and $220,000 at pre-seed level. Recent investments in August 2021 include participation in the $8m Series A round of Brazilian corporate benefits marketplace Caju and the $23m funding round of Nigerian vehicle marketplace and financing startup Moove.
Co-founded by Fabrice Grinder, a French tech entrepreneur and former consultant at McKinsey & Company, FJ Labs is a New York-based VC firm focused on online marketplaces. Co-founder Jose Marin is based in London. With the mantra “Entrepreneurs funding entrepreneurs,” FJ Labs does not take board seats. It has backed over 500 entrepreneurs, built over 20 companies and managed dozens of exits.To date, 58% of its investment portfolio companies are based in the US and Canada (mostly the US), 25% in Europe, 6% in Brazil, 2% in India and 9% in other countries. The VC is also increasing its presence in Brazil and India, as well as looking at smaller markets in Columbia, Algeria and Kenya. FJ Labs currently has 488 active investments, mainly at seed and pre-seed level, typically investing $390,000 at seed level and $220,000 at pre-seed level. Recent investments in August 2021 include participation in the $8m Series A round of Brazilian corporate benefits marketplace Caju and the $23m funding round of Nigerian vehicle marketplace and financing startup Moove.
Waheed Ali became a Labour life peer and Baron of Norbury at aged 33, the youngest to join the House of Lords in 1998. He is also one of the few openly gay Muslim politicians in the world and a gay rights activist. Waheed Ali left school and started work in financial research at the age of 16 to support his mother and siblings. He moved on to a media career by co-founding an independent television company Planet 24 with Bob Geldof during the 1990s, pioneering TV reality shows like Survivor. Planet 24 was sold to ITV franchisee Carlton Communications in 1999 for £15m. He also backed Elizabeth Murdoch’s TV production company Shine that was sold to her father, Rupert Murdoch’s media group, 21st Century Fox. Of Guyana and Trinidad descent, the well-known British media tycoon is also a businessman and investor. In 2011, he lost millions by investing in loss-making Chorion that owned the Agatha Christie literary rights. He formed a television production company Silvergate Media to acquire the rights to several Chorion TV series like Beatrix Potter. As an investor, he became the chairman of online fashion marketplace ASOS for 12 years until 2012. He later founded the “ASOS of India,” Koovs that was listed in London in 2014. Most recently, he joined the Series B funding round of London-based zero-food-waste app OLIO in September 2021.
Waheed Ali became a Labour life peer and Baron of Norbury at aged 33, the youngest to join the House of Lords in 1998. He is also one of the few openly gay Muslim politicians in the world and a gay rights activist. Waheed Ali left school and started work in financial research at the age of 16 to support his mother and siblings. He moved on to a media career by co-founding an independent television company Planet 24 with Bob Geldof during the 1990s, pioneering TV reality shows like Survivor. Planet 24 was sold to ITV franchisee Carlton Communications in 1999 for £15m. He also backed Elizabeth Murdoch’s TV production company Shine that was sold to her father, Rupert Murdoch’s media group, 21st Century Fox. Of Guyana and Trinidad descent, the well-known British media tycoon is also a businessman and investor. In 2011, he lost millions by investing in loss-making Chorion that owned the Agatha Christie literary rights. He formed a television production company Silvergate Media to acquire the rights to several Chorion TV series like Beatrix Potter. As an investor, he became the chairman of online fashion marketplace ASOS for 12 years until 2012. He later founded the “ASOS of India,” Koovs that was listed in London in 2014. Most recently, he joined the Series B funding round of London-based zero-food-waste app OLIO in September 2021.
Patamar Capital’s impact investing: On preferred business model, backing women, Mapan
The pioneer in impact investing in Asia gives us the lowdown on its investment criteria, its new focus on women entrepreneurs and related sectors, how it helps its portfolio companies and more
Impact investing: Spanish startups with a cause and the ecosystem backing them
As more thought and money go into socially and environmentally responsible projects, Spanish entrepreneurs, investors and big businesses are following suit
Indonesian angel investor network ANGIN launches agrifood incubator
Program targets ESG investment and builds on the strong potential of Indonesia’s agriculture sector, which kept growing despite the Covid-19 pandemic
Exclusive: Patamar Capital to raise US$150 million, eyes Series B investments
The impact investment VC recently scored an exit at Indonesian online-to-offline group buying startup Mapan, when it was bought over by Go-Jek
Alpha JWC Ventures bets on Indonesian fintech, analytics startups for big impact
A commitment to mentoring and supporting its portfolio companies also lies at the core of its business
Education for all: Interview with DANAdidik CEO Dipo Satria
The student loan startup is narrowing its focus to funding students planning on healthcare careers, and it also hopes to attract more financing from impact investors
Dao Foods: Grooming and betting on China's rising alternative protein startups
How can businesses involve Chinese consumers in the environmental cause, even if it isn’t a priority for them? For that, the impact investor-incubator Dao Foods has got its philosophy-led strategy figured out
Clarity AI uses machine learning and data analytics to effectively assess and score environmental, social and governance performance of companies and investment portfolios
Big Idea Ventures Founder Andrew D Ive: Asia will lead cell-based meat innovation
In a wide-ranging interview, the managing general partner of the US- and Singapore-based foodtech investor also expounds on his goal to extend sustainability to the rest of the food sector, combining good returns with doing good
Future Food Asia 2021: Impact assessments – getting the metrics right
Common impact measures are useful but each situation requires specific, sometimes subjective considerations. The priority is to gauge if the impact has led to positive changes
New Food Invest: Plant-based cheese, the next investment boom?
With alt-protein startups experiencing a global funding boom, industry experts and investors share their views about emerging trends in diverse food sectors
Southeast Asian startups to keep riding digitalization, IPO boom, investors say
O2O business models and growing interest in ESG are also key themes, as regional startups gain $4.4bn of funding in first half of 2021
Start with the little things: 5 Indonesian social impact startups
From providing student loans to empowering marginalized groups and farmers, these Indonesian startups are revitalizing local communities
OLIO: Zero food waste app expands with new product categories, going global
Recent $43m Series B funding will let sustainability app more than triple hiring, add homemade products and household goods to product listings
Investing in Indonesia: The fintech companies driving a new influx of capital
With 66% of Indonesians not owning a bank account, fintech startups have come up with myriad innovative products to entice a new generation of retail investors
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