Unfortunately the playing field is far from level when it comes to social entrepreneurs looking for funding for their initiatives. There is still a relatively small pool of funders that will consider foregoing a significant ROI for a SROI.
That said, the pool is growing as social venture capitalism becomes a buzz concept in the sector, and these funders are involved in some of the most inspirational projects around the world.
If you are seriously considering venture capital, you should also check out this post from Joe Ippolito on Good Business about the pros and cons of VC for a social enterprise start up.
If you’re ready to go, Olivia Khalili at Cause Capitalism lists these as her top 15 social venture capital firms for social entrepreneurs looking for funding – from seed to late stage:
- Acumen Fund: Focus on solving problems of global poverty through loans and equity in India, Pakistan and East and South Africa.
- Big Issue Investment: Focus on medium-term growth capital.
- Calvert Group: Early, direct investments.
- Central Fund: Strong focus on sustainable jobs for low-income populations; services for distressed communities.
- City Light Capital: Early stage, social mission-driven companies; focus on good financial returns.
- Clean Technology Venture Capital: Invests in mid-sized alternative energy companies with promising exits.
- First Light (an iniatitave of Gray Ghost Ventures): Incubator and investment partner to seed-stage, for-profit social ventures
- Good Capital: Expansion fund; high-engagement, hands-on investment partner.
- Gray Ghost Ventures: Early stage enterprises focused on low-income communities in emerging markets.
- Investors’ Circle: Investors’ Circle matches social entrepreneurs with its circle of angel investors.
- Root Capital: Focus on grassroots businesses in rural areas of developing countries.
- Shared Interest: Invests in fair trade businesses.
- TBL Capital: Focus on social enterprises in consumer products, service providers, software, clean technology, green building, health and wellness, and retail.
- Triodos Bank: Equity and debt fundraising; Social Enterprise Fund and EIS Green Funds.
- Underdog Ventures: Focus on natural and organic food, environment and conservation, socially responsible consumer products, and socially responsible investment companies.
