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responsAbility Investments

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Overview

responsAbility Investments AG is a Swiss-based international impact asset manager specializing in private market investments in emerging and developing countries. Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, the company was acquired by M&G plc, a British financial services company, in May 2022. The company focuses on three primary investment themes:

  1. Financial Inclusion: Investing in microfinance and financial institutions to expand access to finance for SMEs in developing countries.
  2. Climate Finance: Supporting climate-related projects such as clean energy, green buildings, and climate-smart agriculture.
  3. Sustainable Food: Investing in companies working towards sustainable food production to support global food security and environmental protection. responsAbility's investment approach combines private debt and equity investments with rigorous due diligence and ESG risk assessment. The company not only provides capital but also offers technical assistance and capacity building to ensure sustainable business practices. With a global presence including offices in Lima, Mumbai, Nairobi, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Paris, and Oslo, responsAbility has invested over $3 billion across 540 enterprises in 90 countries as of 2018. The company collaborates with international organizations such as the Green Climate Fund, IFC, and Shell Foundation, and is accredited by the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA). responsAbility's commitment to impact investing aims to deliver both financial returns and positive societal and environmental impacts, supporting developing countries in achieving their sustainable development goals.

Leadership Team

responsAbility Investments AG's leadership team comprises experienced professionals guiding the company's impact investing strategies:

Executive Management

  1. Rochus Mommartz - Chief Executive Officer (since 2016)
    • Over 30 years of experience in financial sector development and emerging market investments
    • Member of supervisory boards for financial institutions and funds
  2. Stephanie Bilo - Chief Client & Investment Solutions Officer
    • Oversees Sales, Product Development & Management, and Marketing & Communications
    • Over 20 years of experience in banking and finance
    • PhD in Finance from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland
  3. Michael Fiebig - Head of Private Equity & Fund of Funds
    • 25 years of experience in development finance across 40+ emerging markets
    • Built a USD 300 million private equity portfolio focusing on microfinance, banking, and fintech
  4. Martin Heimes - Head of Private Debt
    • Joined in 2009, instrumental in the company's growth
    • Leads all Private Debt Teams across sectors including financial inclusion, climate, and sustainable food
  5. Tara Hesse - Chief Operating Officer
    • Extensive experience in corporate and in-house legal counsel in the financial industry
    • Previously Head of Legal & Compliance and director of responsAbility subsidiaries

Additional Leadership Roles

  • Simon Fritschi - Part of the Senior Management team
  • Heather Kirk - Head of Operations, Climate Finance
  • Ruzgar Barisik - Managing Partner, Next Billion Digital Growth Fund The leadership team's structure reflects responsAbility's focus on impact investing and sustainable development, with expertise spanning private debt, private equity, client solutions, and operations.

History

responsAbility Investments AG, founded in 2003, has a rich history in impact investing:

Founding and Early Years (2003-2008)

  • Founded by Leo Baechler, Armin Villiger, and Klaus Tischhauser
  • Initial focus on microfinance in developing countries
  • By 2008, managed USD 705 million in assets across 216 companies in 48 countries

Expansion and Diversification (2008-2016)

  • Opened offices in Lima, Nairobi, Mumbai, Paris, Oslo, Bangkok, and Tbilisi
  • Expanded investment themes beyond microfinance

Leadership Transition and Thematic Focus (2016-2022)

  • Rochus Mommartz became CEO in 2016
  • Solidified focus on three main investment themes: Financial Inclusion, Climate Finance, and Sustainable Food
  • Developed various investment products, including closed funds and open funds like the Global Microfinance Fund
  • By 2018, invested over USD 3 billion across 540 enterprises in 90 countries

Acquisition and Current Operations (2022-Present)

  • Acquired by M&G plc on May 3, 2022
  • Continues to operate under Rochus Mommartz's leadership
  • Manages approximately USD 3.7 billion in assets (as of December 2021)
  • Remains committed to core impact investing themes and innovation in sustainable finance Throughout its history, responsAbility has consistently focused on addressing global issues through impact investing, contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and pioneering innovative financing solutions in emerging markets.

Products & Solutions

responsAbility Investments AG offers a diverse range of investment products and solutions aligned with three primary investment themes, all contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

Investment Themes

  1. Financial Inclusion: Focuses on financing the growth of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to enhance access to financial services in emerging markets.
  2. Climate Finance: Aims to contribute to a net-zero pathway by investing in sectors such as energy, agriculture, and finance, supporting climate-smart agriculture, clean cooling systems, and green buildings.
  3. Sustainable Food: Targets sustainable food production and distribution to address the needs of a growing population, providing long-term expansion debt to innovative businesses in the food value chain.

Investment Products and Solutions

  • Private Debt and Private Equity: Provides debt and equity financing to non-listed companies in emerging and developing economies with significant growth potential.
  • Blended Finance Funds: Utilizes blended finance structures to combine public and private funding, overcoming market barriers and attracting private sector investment in developing countries.
  • Technical Assistance Facilities: Offers technical assistance alongside financial investments to support the development and growth of portfolio companies.
  • ESG-Managed Investment Solutions: Adheres to a rigorous Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework, including risk assessment, due diligence, and periodic reviews.
  • Tailored Investment Solutions: Offers products suitable for both professional and retail investors, including institutional investors, family offices, and private clients. By focusing on these themes and using a structured approach to impact investing, responsAbility aims to generate both financial returns and positive societal and environmental impacts.

Core Technology

While responsAbility Investments primarily focuses on impact investing and sustainable development, technology plays a crucial role in its operations and investment strategies:

Technological Adaptation

  • Embraces advancements such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and robo-advisors to remain competitive in investment management and execution.

ESG and Impact Measurement Tools

  • Utilizes sophisticated tools for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) risk assessment and impact measurement.
  • Developed a carbon measurement tool to track and report climate impact, ensuring data accuracy and transparency.
  • Implements a rigorous "4 eyes" principle for impact measurement, involving both in-house teams and external experts.

Data Analysis and Due Diligence

  • Conducts thorough due diligence and risk assessment using advanced data analysis techniques.
  • Screens potential portfolio companies against ESG exclusion lists and assesses ESG risks according to International Finance Corporation (IFC) standards.

Blended Finance Strategies

  • Supports blended finance strategies with advanced financial modeling and risk management technologies.
  • Designs strategies to de-risk investments and attract more private capital into impact investing, particularly in climate finance and financial inclusion.

Global Operations and Monitoring

  • Leverages technology to manage and monitor global operations effectively across multiple locations.
  • Utilizes digital platforms for portfolio management, investment advisory, and fund structuring. While not a technology company per se, responsAbility Investments heavily relies on advanced technologies to enhance its investment processes, measure impact, manage risks, and maintain competitiveness in the impact investing space.

Industry Peers

responsAbility Investments operates in the impact investment and asset management sector, competing with several notable peers:

BlackRock

  • One of the largest investment management firms globally.
  • Offers a wide range of investment products and services.
  • Significant presence in ESG and sustainable investing.

J.P. Morgan Asset Management

  • Major player in the investment sector.
  • Offers various investment strategies and solutions.
  • Competes in attracting institutional and individual investors interested in sustainable and impact investing.

Root Capital

  • Focuses on supporting agricultural businesses.
  • Provides credit and capacity-building services to small and growing agricultural enterprises.
  • Operates in agricultural and financial sectors, aiming for positive social, environmental, and economic impacts.

Alterfin

  • Specializes in financing social enterprises in microfinance and sustainable agriculture sectors.
  • Provides loans to microfinance institutions and organizations in sustainable smallholder agriculture.

Rabobank

  • Financial services provider with a strong focus on the food and agriculture industry globally.
  • Peer in the sustainable food and agriculture investment space.

Africa Global Trade Finance

  • Provides secured and structured trade finance solutions, particularly in the African market.
  • Caters to SMEs and traders, offering transactional finance solutions.

Shared Interest Society

  • Ethical investment cooperative providing trade finance in the fair trade sector.
  • Supports smallholder farmers and artisans. These peers highlight the diverse landscape of impact investing and sustainable finance. responsAbility Investments distinguishes itself through its specialized focus on emerging markets, financial inclusion, climate finance, and sustainable food.

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