Impact Investment
While making the social business model canvas I struggled with finding investment options and key parters that were likely to support the venture. So after a little bit of digging, here are a few examples of what is called as "impact investment" companies that fund social enterprises.
The definition of impact investing is not restricted to investing capital into companies, organizations with the intention to generate a social and environmental impact alongside a financial return but also involves avoiding investments in companies that are perceived to doing wrong thing, such as negatively affecting the environment [1][2]. Following are the top five impact investing firms according to AUM:
Vital Capital Fund
It is a private equity firm that invests primarily in Saharan Africa to improve the quality of life, infrastructure, agroindustrial projects, renewable energy, health care and education.
Triodos Investment Management
It is a subsidiary of Triodos bank investing in renewable energy, arts and culture, sustainable real estate projects and organic farming projects spread through Europe, South America, Africa, India and Southeast Asia.
The Reinvestment Fund
Based in Philly, it assists distressed towns and communities in the United States.
BlueOrchard Finance
With approximately $280 million assets under management, BlueOrchard Finance provides debt and equity financing to emerging companies in Asia, Latin America, Africa and Easter Europe.
Community Reinvestment Fund
Founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota, it parters with local private lenders to provide financing capital for community developing projects.
There are various characteristics influencing impact investing namely the intentions of the investors in terms of impact, return expectations, range of these returns across different classes, and the measurement of the impact of the venture.
The next step would be to fill in this criteria and find impact investors specifically interested in investing towards mental illnesses in the United States.
Entrepreneurs are creative souls with novel ideas and limitless ambitions. And throughout history, some of the most genius creators and thinkers have, less famously, struggled with mental illness[1]. This could be triggered by a variety of reasons. Ranging from high expectations, long work hours, constant fear of failure looming over these leaders, researchers at University of California have found that 49% of the entrepreneurs that were surveyed were dealing with at least one mental illness such as ADD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, addiction, depression or anxiety and about one thirds struggled with 2 or more mental illnesses [1].
Another key issue resulting to this is poor self-regulated health. Entrepreneurs are more likely to ignore their heath and diets, sleep and many may never exercise. The competition and constant pressure of living on the edge combined with projecting yourself to investors, customers and employees as confident especially makes it difficult to discuss issues like these as mental illness is associated with reduced credibility. Another field of view is that mental illness can also trigger entrepreneurial journeys. For example, a manic episode can sometimes led to enlightenment or increased creativity, ADHD prompts fast decision making and resulting factors might "inherently make you an entrepreneur". The direct co-relation between this has yet to be discover, until then, developing a self-care plan might be the best option for entrepreneurs to find a work-life balance.
While making the social business model canvas I struggled with finding investment options and key parters that were likely to support the venture. So after a little bit of digging, here are a few examples of what is called as "impact investment" companies that fund social enterprises.
The definition of impact investing is not restricted to investing capital into companies, organizations with the intention to generate a social and environmental impact alongside a financial return but also involves avoiding investments in companies that are perceived to doing wrong thing, such as negatively affecting the environment [1][2]. Following are the top five impact investing firms according to AUM:
Vital Capital Fund
It is a private equity firm that invests primarily in Saharan Africa to improve the quality of life, infrastructure, agroindustrial projects, renewable energy, health care and education.
Triodos Investment Management
It is a subsidiary of Triodos bank investing in renewable energy, arts and culture, sustainable real estate projects and organic farming projects spread through Europe, South America, Africa, India and Southeast Asia.
The Reinvestment Fund
Based in Philly, it assists distressed towns and communities in the United States.
BlueOrchard Finance
With approximately $280 million assets under management, BlueOrchard Finance provides debt and equity financing to emerging companies in Asia, Latin America, Africa and Easter Europe.
Community Reinvestment Fund
Founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota, it parters with local private lenders to provide financing capital for community developing projects.
There are various characteristics influencing impact investing namely the intentions of the investors in terms of impact, return expectations, range of these returns across different classes, and the measurement of the impact of the venture.
The next step would be to fill in this criteria and find impact investors specifically interested in investing towards mental illnesses in the United States.
References:
[1]http://www.investopedia.com/articles/active-trading/090115/top-5-impact-investing-firms.asp
[2]https://thegiin.org/impact-investing/need-to-know/#s2
[Additional Parallel Facts]
Entrepreneurs and mental illnessEntrepreneurs are creative souls with novel ideas and limitless ambitions. And throughout history, some of the most genius creators and thinkers have, less famously, struggled with mental illness[1]. This could be triggered by a variety of reasons. Ranging from high expectations, long work hours, constant fear of failure looming over these leaders, researchers at University of California have found that 49% of the entrepreneurs that were surveyed were dealing with at least one mental illness such as ADD, ADHD, bipolar disorder, addiction, depression or anxiety and about one thirds struggled with 2 or more mental illnesses [1].
Another key issue resulting to this is poor self-regulated health. Entrepreneurs are more likely to ignore their heath and diets, sleep and many may never exercise. The competition and constant pressure of living on the edge combined with projecting yourself to investors, customers and employees as confident especially makes it difficult to discuss issues like these as mental illness is associated with reduced credibility. Another field of view is that mental illness can also trigger entrepreneurial journeys. For example, a manic episode can sometimes led to enlightenment or increased creativity, ADHD prompts fast decision making and resulting factors might "inherently make you an entrepreneur". The direct co-relation between this has yet to be discover, until then, developing a self-care plan might be the best option for entrepreneurs to find a work-life balance.
References:
[1]https://www.startupgrind.com/blog/genius-in-madness-72-of-entrepreneurs-affected-by-mental-health-conditions/
[2]http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/startups/why-so-many-entrepreneurs-struggle-with-mental-illness/article30042089/
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