Some points to consider when investing in mini-grids

Mini-grids seem to be on the rise again. I started looking at this opportunity 4 years ago, and everyone was expecting the model to slowly die for lack of financial sustainability, but it has since then gained a lot of momentum and interest from both donors and strategic investors. Supporters have committed billions to the …

Will European DFIs Be Able to Step up (Quickly)?

Most DFIs are very aware of the pressure to act quickly and play the role of the first responders. Analysts on all sides are calling multilateral and bilateral banks to “shift their mindset” and act swiftly, as the COVID-19 crisis is unfolding and might trigger a profound economic and social crisis, as sufficiently reiterated in the recent boom of …

Blockchain for Impact Investors

As investors, you have probably seen some of the companies in your portfolio or in your pipeline jumping into the blockchain craze, driven by FOMO, hype, low to no regulation or maybe a genuine intention to address a real challenge. Every article about blockchain starts by stating, half-apologetically, that blockchain is not bitcoin and that …

What exactly do online "impact investing" platforms have to offer?

So many new online “impact investing” platforms were launched recently e.g Swell Investing, Open Invest and Motif. The premise is the same and a bit familiar by now: Millennials value impact and meaning in their investing decisions but no accessible solutions are available for them. Let’s forget for now about the existence of various crowdfunding platforms already enabling this …