Funds

The impact investment manager, part of the Schroders Group, is targeting investments to bring financial services to the unbanked and SMEs in Asia and other emerging markets through its latest fund

A £25m fund launched by leading UK social investors backs early-stage social enterprises whose staff recruiting policies and management structures reflect the diversity of the sector they operate in

Northern Gritstone’s fund will invest in tech business spinning out of the universities of Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield and others – a first step to create a Northern tech hub to rival the south

Private equity firm Lightrock, owned by LGT Group, has raised $300m for its latest fund which will back purpose-driven entrepreneurs across Latin America, as part of its plans to increase investments in the region

Christin ter Braak-Forstinger, founder and CEO of Chi Impact Capital talks about combining social impact and financial returns and the need for a more holistic approach to impact investing to achieve the SDGs

The Future Planet Fund backs growth companies emerging from innovations developed at some of the world’s leading academic institutions aimed at solving pressing societal challenges

Oryx Impact aims to contribute to the creation of more sustainable and resilient societies in Africa by investing in local impact funds which support SMEs and businesses providing essential goods and services across the continent

Infinity Recycling’s Circular Plastics Fund has made its first investment by acquiring a 20% stake in Pryme, the cleantech company behind Europe’s single largest plastic waste advanced recycling project in Rotterdam

The Norrsken22 invests in tech startups across the African continent, with fintech, healthcare and education as key target sectors. The fund, backed by leading tech founders, is about to make its second investment

Around 35% of all impact funds invest in emerging markets, according to the latest report by Phenix Capital. SDGs 7 (affordable and clean energy) and 1 (no poverty) are the most targeted among emerging market impact funds