Private Equity Wire Newsletter

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NEWSLETTER | 3 Jul 2020

Funds with benefits: Making the case for impact investing…

Interest in impact investing was already on the increase prior to the coronavirus pandemic, but as the world looks to repair and rebuild economies still reeling from the effects of Covid-19, investments that generate a measurable, beneficial social or environmental impact, alongside a financial return, somehow seem more relevant than ever.

And as James Williams reports this week, new research from The Carlyle Group suggests that a focus on socially-optimal strategies, such as payroll growth, responsible governance and diversity and inclusion, can actually produce above-market returns. Impact investing it seems can have a positive effect on profits as well as people and the planet…

Sticking with the post-pandemic theme, Nick Evans reports on a survey by Innovate Finance, an industry body for the UK fintech sector, which reveals a 'significant' funding gap as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, with smaller firms, in particular, under increasing pressure.

“We need to act fast before it’s too late," says Innovate Finance CEO Charlotte Cresswell. "If we fail to address this, we risk losing many companies in the fastest-growing sector in the UK economy."

It's not all fintech doom and gloom this week though, as we also report on how a host of high-profile advisers and investors have supported the 'Impact Ireland' fund launched by Dublin-based venture private equity investor VentureWave Capital. The fund is designed to invest in Irish companies committed to creating 'technology for good'.

Which sort of brings us back to where we started. It's funny how the world goes round…

Private Equity Wire

Positive performance: How impact investing boosts returns

Fri | 3 Jul 2020, 15:16

Research conducted by The Carlyle Group suggests that focusing on socially-optimal strategies, such as payroll growth, responsible governance and diversity and inclusion leads to above-market returns.

Fri | 3 Jul 2020, 15:16

Innovate Finance, the industry body representing the FinTech sector in the UK, has warned that the sector is facing a “significant” funding gap as a result of the Covid-19 crisis – with smaller companies coming under growing pressure.

Fri | 3 Jul 2020, 15:16

Well-known Irish figures including former Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Guinness family head Lord Iveagh and U2 band members Adam Clayton and The Edge are among a wide-ranging line-up of advisors and investors in a new ‘Impact Ireland’ fund launched by Dublin-based venture private equity investor VentureWave Capital.

Fri | 3 Jul 2020, 15:16

By Owen Morris, operations director at Doherty Associates – Covid-19 has presented multiple challenges to those working in private equity and finance, not least remote working, which looks set to continue for the future. When it comes to compliance the FCA expects it to be business as usual, despite the effects of the pandemic.

Fri | 3 Jul 2020, 15:16

Elysian Capital has held a first close of its third fund, having raised 90 per cent of the fund’s target of GBP 300 million in three months, since officially launching the fund.