Investing Patient, Flexible Capital in Bottom-up Approaches
Acumen Fund invests patient capital in a variety of institutions, reflecting the diversity of business models that can be effective in reaching the “base of the pyramid” (BoP)—or the billions of poor without access to clean water, reliable health services, or formal housing options. Eligible institutions for our financial support range from non-profit organizations seeking to scale their operations and achieve financial sustainability, to small and medium for-profit companies in need of capital, to larger companies that are starting specific business units to serve the BoP.
Our Investments
Our typical capital commitments range from $300,000 to $2,500,000 in equity or debt with a payback or exit in roughly five to seven years. We believe that every investment is unique and are able to provide both patient and flexible capital combining different financial instruments to provide an appropriate investment package and efficient capital structure to meet the needs of each particular Investee.
Debt
This is the prevailing form of Acumen Fund investment, and allows
us to support sustainable enterprises while recycling our own capital.
Guarantees
These are provided to third party lenders, such as local banks, to stimulate access to local sources of capital.
Direct equity
Occurs in the form of common fully voting or preferred shares.
Usually our equity investments are minority stakes and we often play a
management role through advisory services and a position on the board
of directors.
Quasi-equity
These are subordinated notes with various features (equity
conversion, profit-linked return, or other equity premiums) to generate
equity-based returns.
License Fees or Royalty Structures
in cases where Acumen Fund facilitates the creation and
registration of intellectual property (IP), we may exchange our
interest in the IP for a licensing fee or a royalty stream.
"Lab Investments"
These are smaller-scale, high-risk
experimental investments, where funding can be disbursed rapidly and
lessons can be learned in the short-term.
Primary Investment Criteria
Potential for Significant Social Impact
Companies need to make a product or deliver a service that addresses a critical need at the BoP in the areas of our strategic and geographic focus. Delivery of the products or services should generate social outputs that compares favorably with products or services either currently available on the market or through charitable distribution channels.
Potential for Financial Sustainability
A clear business model that shows potential for financial sustainability within a five to seven year period, including the ability to cover operating expenses with operating revenues. This period corresponds to the tenor of most commercial loans, and positions entrepreneurs to access commercial finance in the future.
Potential to Achieve Scale
An objective of reaching approximately one million end users within a five year period with the benefits of the product or service. If the entrepreneur's business model does not aim to reach one million consumers, does it have:
- The potential to grow by an order of magnitude (i.e., 10x) within five years?
- Potential for material impact on the social problem it is trying to solve?
- A position as one of the leading service providers in the market in which it operates?
- A strong and experienced management team with the skills and will to grow a sustainable enterprise at the BoP?
- The presence of a strong management team that has the requisite skills to execute the business plan and a clear and compelling vision?
- A management team with the will to work with the market to achieve the goal of serving the BoP?
- A management team with positive ethics?
Guiding Principles for Our Portfolio Team
Global and Local Integration
We are one Acumen Fund; our local activities adhere to global standards and draw on our collective experiences and knowledge.
Voices of the Customer
We value and put at the heart of each investment decision the
customers that we are serving: the poor who lack access to health,
water, housing, energy and agricultural inputs.
Balanced Investment Approach
We have a high risk tolerance but work to understand and mitigate
risks where possible and keep our investment structures as simple as
possible.
Enduring Relationships
We forge long-term, engaged relationships with investees, bringing
appropriate support and resources before, during and after our
investment approval process.
Quantitative and Qualitative Insights
While we believe strongly in the measurement of social and
financial performance, we also believe that not all that is important
can be measured. We seek to capture and share stories and insights from
our work in sector-wide discussions and targeted exchanges of knowledge
with strategic partners.
International Legal Best Practices
Acumen Fund has a zero tolerance policy for businesses that do not
abide by the letter of local and international laws. We believe that
Acumen Fund can also play a unique role in bringing international legal
best practices to our entrepreneurs.
