14 Feb ImpactAssets Releases Annual IA 50 Impact Investment Fund Showcase
Free Online Database Connects Investors to Fund Managers that Deliver Social, Environmental and Financial Returns
ImpactAssets has released its 2016 impact investing showcase, the, 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.
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Fund managers included in the IA 50 2016 manage an estimated $10.6B in assets devoted to creating positive social and environmental impact.
“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 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. Fund managers 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. Fund managers 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.
“The IA 50 was designed to help convert interest into action by showcasing funds with expert management and solid track records,” said Matthew Weatherly White, Managing Director, The CAPROCK Group. “Investors who have been watching from the sidelines and waiting for the field to mature will find no shortage of opportunities.”
“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 SEAF
SEAF is an SEC registered, impact investment fund manager, investing risk capital and providing business support to growth-oriented SMEs in frontier and emerging markets. Having made more than $400 million in SME investments across a wide range of sectors, SEAF funds seek to deliver both financial returns and social and environmental impact for investors. SEAF, which is based in Washington, D.C., has managed over 35 investment funds and vehicles over 28 years and across 27 countries. SEAF also operates the Center for Entrepreneurship and Executive Development – CEED – an entrepreneur-focused program that provides advisory, mentoring, and networking opportunities across 13 global locations. www.seaf.com and www.ceed-global.org.
SEAF’s IA50 profile can be accessed here.
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.