By supporting inclusive enterprises that create opportunities for economic mobility and generate income for thousands of people in underserved communities, we contribute to poverty alleviation and drive large-scale economic growth.
The bulk of the economic benefits deriving from our investees goes to agricultural out-growers, artisans, workers, entrepreneurs, and consumers of goods and services, key players in their value chains. Through our work, we are actively contributing to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Since 2008, we have deployed capital through multiple funds and programs, building a portfolio that demonstrates both financial discipline and measurable impact.
Portfolio managed
Investments since 2008
Portfolio company exits
Grassroots Business Investors Fund I L.P (GBI-I) was set up in 2011 as GBF’s first for-profit financing vehicle. The aim was to have the blended structure to enable GBF’s mandate: reaching impactful but challenging SMEs with mezzanine-type financing managed by GBF, which would in turn also support investees with technical assistance for early-year funds.
GBF raised $41M in three classes of investment in GBI-I and $8M in grant funding for technical assistance.
Invested
Direct jobs created
Women impacted
Low-income earners supported
Post-investment capital mobilisation rate
Prior to our formation in 2008, we operated as the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Grassroots Business Initiative. Grassroots Business Partners Portfolio (GBP) spun out of IFC to begin making financial investments in for-profit companies, using 100% grant funding and delivering business advisory services.
Invested
In Technical Assistance
Beneficiaries impacted
Successful exits
High-Impact Companies
Portfolio in Africa
Portfolio in agribusiness
Fund for the Reactivation and Reconstruction of Providencia and Santa Catalina (FRP)
Blooming Roots: Fund for the Reactivation and Reconstruction of Providencia and Santa Catalina (FRP) launched in March 2022. This first-of-its-kind fund provides support for the reconstruction of businesses in Colombia’s Providencia and Santa Catalina Islands affected by Hurricane Iota, a devastating Category 4 tropical cyclone, which tore through the islands in November 2020.
The Fund is sponsored by Banco de Comercio Exterior de Colombia (Bancoldex) and the United Nations Development Programme, as anchor investors, and managed by AMPLO Inversión de Impacto (AMPLO) with GBF.