Acumen Fund, Inc.

International

Type: International
Date approved: 25 Mar 2015
Size: Medium
ESS Category: Category B, Intermediation 2
Fiduciary standards: Basic, Project management, Grant award, On-lending/blending (Loan), On-lending/blending (Equity)

The Acumen Fund, Inc. is an impact investment fund with almost 15 years’ experience in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that serves low-income communities in developing countries primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Acumen has a successful track record in sourcing and executing equity investment opportunities in the clean energy, agriculture and health-care sectors, which provide environmental and livelihood impacts. The results of its activities overlap with the results areas and impacts of the GCF in the areas of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from energy efficient products (appliances); improvements in the livelihoods of vulnerable populations through the provision of improved agricultural inputs, services and information; and increased access to health-care products and services that treat diseases and conditions related to the negative effects of climate change and emissions from polluting fuels. The activities of Acumen, for example, include the distribution of: solar lanterns, solar home systems, smoke-free cook stoves (energy) and formal financial services, such as providing home improvement micro loans for low-income women and families in developing countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Leveraging its well-established track record investing in companies via equity and loan instruments, Acumen sought accreditation to the GCF as an opportunity to further assist more people in the low-income communities in which it operates.