Exits: Method and GoodGuide Deals Offer Evidence

One of the enduring raps against impact investing is the scarcity of exits that return capital to investors. The acquisitions this summer of green cleaning brand Method Products Inc. and GoodGuide, a consumer products rating service, may help to allay such concerns. Both of the private-equity backed companies delivered solid cash-on-cash returns to their financial

E+Co Avoids Liquidation — Barely — and Emerges Persistent

Millions of dollars in bad loans have driven E+Co, one of the pioneers of impact investing, effectively out of business, offering a cautionary tale for those seeking to provide financing for large numbers of small and growing businesses as a strategy to accelerate sustainable development in low-income countries. After months of difficult negotiations with its

E+Co Avoids Liquidation — Barely — and Emerges Persistent

Millions of dollars in bad loans have driven E+Co, one of the pioneers of impact investing, effectively out of business, offering a cautionary tale for those seeking to provide financing for large numbers of small and growing businesses as a strategy to accelerate sustainable development in low-income countries. After months of difficult negotiations with its

New Database of 50 Impact Fund Managers

You want to make some impact investments – who are you going to call? Impact Assets, a nonprofit financial services firm, has released the ImpactAssets 50, a compendium of fund managers with a demonstrated commitment to delivering social and environmental impacts along with financial returns. Fund managers must meet multiple criteria, have at least $5

Open Impact Data: FAQ

Why is Open Impact Data important? Taking social impacts and financial results seriously requires transparency and disclosure. Nearly everybody agrees that transparency is essential to a healthy marketplace – except perhaps when it comes to their own data. We all know there are many reasons some investors and entrepreneurs prefer not to disclose their activities.

Put Your Data Where Your Mouth Is

We support the voluntary and timely disclosure of basic information about financial investments in ventures and projects that seek social, environmental and financial returns, consistent with regulatory and confidentiality requirements. Join us:

Letter from Nairobi: Vanity Capital and Vanity Companies

NAIROBI – Here at ground zero for the new era of African innovation, investors are learning what an impact investing “bubble” looks like. Too much money, too few investment-ready companies. Lots of hype, uncertain impact. The city’s start-up scene has been hyped by international media celebrations of catchy and simplistic narratives: women programmers helping farmers,