fund economics

Though sometimes considered best practice, linking carried interest to impact is not without its downsides, according to panellists at this month's Impact Investor Summit: North America.

Incentives tied to impact targets have come a long way in a short space of time, but best practices around these mechanisms are still evolving.

In an investment space that is still young, Ananda Impact Ventures can boast a rare feat: the full realisation of an impact venture capital fund. 'Look, cash over cash, this has worked,' says founder Johannes Weber.

The climate-focused impact investor’s portfolio is already made up of almost 33% underrepresented founders, and it wants to double that with its sophomore effort.

TiLT Capital, which has raised €250m and counting for its debut fund, backs energy transition-related businesses in the industrial sector.

The firm's first impact product closed at the end of 2022 and recently signed its fifth deal.

Linking impact or ESG to financial incentives was a big topic at the Impact Investor Global Summit; it is an 'imperative for the industry' that requires investors and managers to adopt an experimental mindset.

Staking a portion of carried interest on impact performance is still a minority pursuit for GPs, but the arrival of two influential names may cause more managers to have the conversation.

Diane Mak, head of impact measurement and management, said linking impact performance to financial incentives ensures a 'higher level of transparency and clarity', in a video interview at the Impact Investor Global Summit.

The fintech manager hopes to raise $70m-$75m to invest in companies beyond the firm's early-stage sweet spot, according to a market source.