impact investing

The Sustainable Development Goals are focusing strategies on the continent, but surviving the pandemic will bring additional challenges.

Impact is no longer a distinct asset class but is being embraced as an investment style, says Michael Etzel, partner at impact consultancy Bridgespan Group.

Bamboo Capital Partners’ $500m SDG fund has continued to attract interest because its returns are now closer to what’s available in wider capital markets, says managing partner Florian Kemmerich.

Managing director Paul Yett has been named as Hamilton Lane’s new director of ESG and sustainability.

The two firms, which have previously collaborated on a water investment vehicle, have received A$500,000 to explore the business case for a new fund.

Speaking in a teaser for PEI’s inaugural Responsible Investment Forum: Tokyo, Sayaka Takatsuka, senior director at impact firm Shinsei, said domestic LPs were still getting to grips with the strategy.

Impact investors remain positive about capital deployment and performance despite headwinds, according to a report from the Global Impact Investing Network.

The investment manager closed its latest fund last September on $220m.

Yasuyuki Tomita, who was promoted from DBJ Asset Management last year, will oversee the development of a growth equity platform targeting domestic SMEs.

Impact funds are more popular than ever and sustainable investing can help boost returns, according to a report from Bain & Company.