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Record-Breaking 2017 Closes Gap Between Impact And Return-Driven Investing In Africa
African startups had a record-breaking 2017 when it came to fundraising, securing a total of $195 million, according to the recently released Disrupt Africa African Tech Startups Funding Report.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- impact investing
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Abraaj Capital, LPs at odds over fund misuse, investments
According to a report in The New York Times, the PE firm has informed the LPs of its healthcare fund that the hospital operator’s pre-tax earnings have declined from $14 million to $8 million. Abraaj hasn’t marked down the value of its investment to reflect lower earnings, the report said.
- Categories
- Investing
- Tags
- ESG, impact investing
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Avoiding the ‘Ick Factor’: Four Easy Steps to Align Your Investments With Your Values in 2018
Morgan Simon, the author of "Real Impact: The New Economics of Social Change," lays out four simple steps to avoid what she terms the "ick factor." That's the unpleasant feeling that comes when your social values and financial investments aren't aligned – for instance, when your big-name bank is using your money to invest in things like private prisons and fossil fuels. Simon provides an overview of some strategies and socially responsible institutions that can let you earn attractive returns, while feeling good about the impact you're making with your money.
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Walmart is considering an investment in Flipkart to better compete in India
The two have reportedly negotiated on and off over the last two years, which led Reuters to report on talks between them in September 2016. A stake as big as 20% could be quite expensive for Walmart, which may be an obstacle in coming to an agreement this time around, according to Reuters’ sources.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- startups
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Scientists develop sustainable investing framework
"Other frameworks for measuring corporate sustainability focus on how internal corporate production processes at the facility level support environmental integrity or human beneficiaries, but give limited guidance for assessing the longer-term impact of business practices," said Vörösmarty. "Our proposed framework relies on scientifically-based metrics to help investors evaluate how companies' actions, products and services support the environment and human well-being. Indeed, this is a new calculus for sustainable investing."
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- North America
- Tags
- ESG, impact investing
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Do You Speak Social Finance? Helping Entrepreneurs and Impact Investors Overcome their Language Barrier
Social entrepreneurs and impact investors often speak different languages: Entrepreneurs are fluent in the dimension of impact, while investors are more focused on the bottom line. A new education platform called the Social Finance Academy strives to bridge this gap via free, online learning packages that enable investors and entrepreneurs to reach common ground. Christina Moehrle and Maxime Cheng of Roots of Impact explore the platform's early success and potential impact.
- Categories
- Investing, Social Enterprise
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Press release: Mission Driven Finance Announces First $1M in Impact Investments
Mission Driven Finance was founded in 2016 by a seasoned team of San Diego finance and philanthropic leaders to tap into a growing trend of investors looking to drive financial returns and effect positive social change. The group’s initial “impact investments” are commercial loans that provide local community-minded borrowers access to critical capital up to $500,000 at rates that encourage success.
- Categories
- Investing
- Tags
- ESG, impact investing
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Press release: Social Impact Bonds reach global mass: 108 projects launched in 24 countries
The field has seen impressive growth since the first project was pioneered by Social Finance UK in 2010 in Peterborough, with a goal of reducing reoffending among short-sentenced prisoners, a chronic challenge in the UK criminal justice system. This summer it was announced that the Peterborough Social Impact Bond reduced reoffending by 9% and investors were repaid in full, with a 3% annualized return.
- Categories
- Investing