Press Release
BETHESDA, Md., March 4, 2021—MicroVest, an emerging markets-focused impact investment manager, today announced that it has been selected for the ImpactAssets 50 (IA 50) 2021 as an Emeritus Impact Manager. The Emeritus designation recognizes established impact fund managers who have been on the IA 50 for at least five years. This year marks MicroVest’s 10th consecutive year on the list, as well as the 10th edition of the IA 50.
The ImpactAssets 50 is an open-source database of private debt and equity impact fund managers spanning diverse geographies, sectors, issue areas and investment, that are delivering social and environmental impact, as well as financial returns. Despite a tumultuous year, total assets under management (AUM) among selected fund managers jumped to a record $228 billion in 2020, up from $181 billion in 2019. By comparison, in the IA 50’s inaugural year when MicroVest was first included, assets totaled just $6.8 billion.
“MicroVest’s work supporting sustainable platforms that advance financial inclusion for underserved populations has proven more critical than ever” said CEO & CIO Gil Crawford. The pandemic has put a spotlight on the importance of providing vulnerable communities with access to responsible working capital that can help smooth out shocks, increase opportunities, and improve the quality of life for all involved. We have demonstrated this repeatedly throughout our 18-year history and are grateful to be recognized by ImpactAssets for our work.”
Ron Cordes, Chair of MicroVest’s Board of Directors stated “Even as impact investing continues its meteoric rise, MicroVest’s recognition in the IA 50 over the past 10 years is testament to its consistent commitment to the core values on which the firm was founded. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to strengthen financial inclusion initiatives for underserved global communities and I couldn’t be more proud of the MicroVest team and thank ImpactAssets for this important recognition.”
About MicroVest
MicroVest Capital Management, LLC (MicroVest) is an asset manager specializing in allocating private debt capital to Responsible Financial Institutions (RFIs) that lend to un- or under-banked borrowers and/or small businesses in emerging and frontier markets. As one of the first U.S.-based microfinance investors, the Firm has built a 18-year track record of investing in microfinance institutions (MFIs) and small and medium enterprise (SME) financial institutions whose interests are aligned with the borrowers and communities they serve. Since its founding in 2003, MicroVest has disbursed more than $1 billion to over 200 RFIs in 60 emerging and frontier countries.
Learn more at www.microvestfund.com
About the ImpactAssets 50
The IA 50 is the first publicly available database that provides a gateway into the world of impact investing for investors and their financial advisors, offering an easy way to identify experienced impact investment firms and explore the landscape of potential investment options. The IA 50 is intended to illustrate the breadth of impact investment fund managers operating today, though it is not a comprehensive list. Firms have been selected to demonstrate a wide range of impact investing activities across geographies, sectors and asset classes.
The IA 50 is not an index or investable platform and does not constitute an offering or recommend specific products. It is not a replacement for due diligence. In order to be considered for the IA 50 2021, fund managers needed to have at least $25 million in assets under management, more than three years of experience as a firm with impact investing, documented social and/or environmental impact and be available for US investment. Additional details on the selection process are available here.
About ImpactAssets
ImpactAssets is the leading impact investing partner for individuals, families and philanthropists tackling the world’s greatest challenges by investing in the world’s brightest ideas. We make it easy for our clients to “discover, connect and invest” in game-changing entrepreneurs and funds. Founded in 2010, ImpactAssets increases flows of money to impact investing with our 100% impact investment platform and field-building initiatives, including the IA 50 database of private debt and equity impact fund managers.
The ImpactAssets Donor Advised Fund is an innovative vehicle that empowers donors to increase the impact of their giving by combining it with strategic, sustainable and responsible investing to build a sophisticated philanthropic endowment. The Fund currently has more than $1.4 billion in assets in 1,400 donor advised funds, working with 350 wealth advisors across 60 financial services firms.
ImpactAssets is an investor in MicroVest funds and an advisory client of MicroVest Capital Management.
Learn more at www.impactassets.org