PROJECT GUIDELINES

 

The $10 million Fondo EcoEmpresas, S.A. offers capital to environmentally and socially responsible businesses in Latin America and the Caribbean.  Eligible businesses must be located in Inter-American Development Bank member countries.

The Fund is an investment fund that provides venture financing to profitable businesses involved in sustainable agriculture (including organic, apiculture, and aquaculture), non-timber forest products, sustainable forestry and ecotourism.  The Nature Conservancy, which the Fund has contracted to provide fund management services, also provides limited technical assistance for business advisory services to prospective and Fund portfolio projects.

By 2010, the Fund will invest in approximately 20 small- to medium-scale ventures that:

  • Employ sound environmental practices in their operations;
  • Provide financial benefits to the community and local environmental organizations;
  • Pass rigorous environmental and social screens; and
  • Meet the Fund's financial criteria.

The Fund invests in ventures at all stages of development with sales revenues up to $3 million.  Preference is given to environmental entrepreneurs who are unable to secure financing from conventional sources due to the small size of their companies, the innovative nature of their businesses, and/or the financial risks involved.

Investment size ranges from $50,000 to $780,000, with an average investment of $325,000.  The Fund will finance up to 50 percent of project costs, using a variety of equity or debt instruments.  The Fund provides flexible financing to promote long-term success.

All ventures are required to have a nonprofit environmental and/or community organization as a collaborator.  Involvement may take the form of equity interests, profit sharing, capital payments, fees, royalties or other arrangements.  The nonprofit may also play an ongoing advisory role, such as providing environmental monitoring and evaluation services.  If necessary, we will match prospective ventures with an appropriate nonprofit partner.

Companies seeking investment should submit an executive summary of no more than three pages that describes the following:

  • Opportunity and business strategy
  • Target market and sales/profit objectives
  • Company's competitive advantage
  • Project principals and management
  • Investment requirements and use of proceeds
  • Environmental and social dimensions
The fund management team, employees of contracted fund manager The Nature Conservancy, will contact companies directly to pursue potential opportunities.


Send inquiries to:

    Amanda Serenyi
    EcoEnterprises Fund
    c/o The Nature Conservancy
    4245 North Fairfax Drive
    Arlington, VA 22203
    Tel: 703-841-5692
    Fax: 703-841-9059

    email: ecoenterprises@tnc.org

Or

    Wilson Hidalgo
    Fondo EcoEmpresas
    c/o The Nature Conservancy

    Apdo Postal 230-1225, Plaza Mayor
    San Jose, Costa Rica
    Tel: 506-296-5000
    Fax: 506-220-2551

    email: ecoenterprises@tnc.org

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