A partnership between Indonesian impact investment advisor Supernova Equatora Capital and Swiss advisory firm Clarmondial homes in on the kind of nature-based investments that top the wish list of many Asian family offices.
Both organizations have worked to build investing ecosystems around biodiversity, regenerative practices and natural resources.
“We are seeing particular interest from Indonesian family offices transitioning from grant-making to impact investments, as well as from Asian impact investors seeking opportunities that combine social and environmental outcomes with financial returns,” Clarmondial’s Tanja Havemann tells ImpactAlpha.
Deforestation, urbanization and climate change are jeopardizing the natural ecosystems of Indonesia, one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. Clarmondial and Supernova will engage individual investors and fund managers to drive capital to sustainable agriculture, agroforestry and ecosystem restoration in Indonesia.
Clarmondial will also build deal out pipelines for its Food Securities Fund, an open-ended debt fund for emerging market agribusinesses launched in 2021, and its Biosphere Integrity Fund to be launched next year. Havemann says the Biosphere fund “will prioritize opportunities that combine corporate engagement with outcomes for livelihoods, biodiversity, watershed health and climate resilience.”
Family priorities
Nature-based solutions, biodiversity and regeneration are the top interests driving impact investing among Asia’s family offices, according to the Sustainable Finance Initiative, which surveyed 144 such offices. Also a priority: food and agriculture.
Most families see impact investments as a way to nurture new business services and opportunities, often close to home: 42% of family office impact capital is staying in Asia. Their biggest challenge is finding deals with clear pathways to exit.
Collaborative approach
Supernova Equatora Capital advises investors and vets natural capital deals throughout Indonesia. Its Value Chain Fund engages stakeholders around seafood, coffee, coconut and other products. The partnership with Clarmondial expands funding channels for Indonesian agri-businesses while boosting Clarmondial’s activity in the country.
“Many Indonesian businesses have strong potential to drive nature-positive transformation, but they need the right kind of support,” said Supernova Equatora Capital’s Inez Stefanie. The new partnership “is about unlocking that potential through collaboration, not control,” she says.
