Learn What Makes an Acumen Investment
We invest in early-stage companies tackling the problems of poverty
From banks in rural Pakistan supporting low-income farmers to ambulances in Mumbai with a mandate to “serve all” regardless of income, our companies are solving some of the world’s toughest social problems.
The criteria we use to make investments
1. GEOGRAPHY
We invest in companies that have significant operations or impact within East Africa, West Africa, India, Pakistan, Latin America, or the United States.
2. Sectors
Our global investment focus sectors are Energy, Agriculture, Health, and Education. Within the United States, we focus on Financial Inclusion, Health, and Workforce Development.
3. Stage
We invest in seed- to early-stage social enterprises, deploying either equity, quasi-equity or debt capital.
4. POTENTIAL FOR SOCIAL IMPACT
We seek to invest in enterprises that provide a product or deliver a service that addresses a critical need for the poor.
5. POTENTIAL FOR FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
Our business models demonstrate the potential to finance themselves beyond Acumen’s investment, either through follow-on capital or internal cash flows.
6. POTENTIAL FOR SCALED IMPACT
We seek opportunities that have the potential to scale the number of end-users or be leading service providers.
Frequently Asked Questions
DOES ACUMEN MAKE GRANTS?
No, Acumen makes equity and debt investments in for-profit social enterprises.
DOES ACUMEN INVEST IN NON-PROFIT COMPANIES?
No, Acumen does not invest in non-profit companies.
CAN I SPEAK WITH YOUR PORTFOLIO TEAM ABOUT MY BUSINESS?
We source our investment opportunities via referrals and do not accept unsolicited proposals.
WHAT IS YOUR INVESTMENT PROCESS?
For more information about our investment process, please check out our approach to investing.
WHAT ARE YOUR INVESTMENT PRINCIPLES?
For more information about our investment principles, please check out our approach to investing.