Sasakawa Peace Foundation

About the fund

Singapore and Vietnam-based Beacon Fund launched in 2019 to address financing gaps for women-led small and mid-sized businesses in Southeast Asia. The women-led firm makes debt investments of $500,000 to $2 million to companies supporting frontline job creation and security, food systems, climate resilience and other impact themes. It invests in Vietnam with plans to expand to Indonesia and the Philippines. “These businesses often have solid cash flows and profitability, given that they have had to fund their growth organically over time, but tend to be overlooked by most investors,” the Beacon team explains. Beacon is among the first gender-lens funds in the region and is dedicated to supporting 100% women-owned and run companies. It often includes impact-linked terms to incentivize portfolio companies to deepen their impact, such as frontline job preservation. The firm raised $25 million for its open-ended fund in 2019 and 2020, and has so far backed eight companies. It’s back in the market to fundraise with the hopes of doubling its coffers this year. It is also raising a $5 million technical assistance facility to support portfolio companies in meeting impact targets, adopting technology, innovating on their products, and boosting their own climate resilience.