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Colombia has a fairly vibrant impact investing sector. And with about $473 million in impact investments, according to the National Advisory Board, it’s poised to become a much bigger force.
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With that in mind, SVX Canada and SVX Mexico just announced the launch of SVX ColombiaCreated over a period of five years and with a $4 million investment from the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada, it aims to build an impact ecosystem in Colombia. Its focus is on vulnerable communities, climate action and biodiversity, and capital for women-led or women-serving enterprises in rural development.
“Our philosophy is to support what already exists with additional resources and fill the gaps with tactical programs that wouldn’t otherwise exist,” said SVX Canada, a nonprofit diversified impact financial services company. CEO Adam Spence said.
Commitment to the ecosystem
SVX Colombia is focused on building an ecosystem that caters to all aspects of the impact market.
For funds, this includes working with fund managers (some new funds, others in secondary funds) to help them strengthen their impact investing capabilities. The program launched about a month ago with 10 management teams working on everything from fund structure and impact investment measurement to LP relationships. Participants work alongside coaches. SVX Colombia Project Director Paula Delgadillo said: Two of her participants will receive a grant to partially cover the costs.
There is also a startup accelerator. But SVX Colombia provides funding and technical assistance to his four existing programs rather than creating them from scratch. The purpose is to help them scale and have a greater level of impact. Each accelerator runs its own program on its own timetable.
There is a shortlist of 8 companies, 6 of which will receive the grant. (The remaining two of her can reapply). The eight companies include companies such as Samana. Samana works with local and indigenous community foundations and associations to market beehive products. Petalii is a technology company that helps smallholder farmers market their flowers and flower arrangements nationally and internationally. EatCloud has a digital platform that helps redistribute surplus food to organizations serving vulnerable people.
SVX Colombia also connects companies and funds with investment capital from private and public sources, with the goal of catalyzing at least $10 million in capital.
“We are building a collective portfolio of impact investment opportunities in Colombia,” says Spence. “And we are able to introduce a range of funds and companies to the Colombian investor community.”