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Investing today for a better tomorrow

Frankfurt Start-up Fund LogoFrankfurt Start-up Fund Logo
GLS Microfinance Fund LogoGLS Microfinance Fund Logo
Seed Capital Assistance Facility II LogoSeed Capital Assistance Facility II Logo
Crowdinvesting – frankly.greenCrowdinvesting – frankly.green
Walking In The Frankfurt School Lobby

We are FS Impact Finance,

a specialised investment firm, regulated by the German Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and registered with the Luxemburg Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF). Our team consists of global investment professionals with a particular focus on developing countries and emerging markets. With a strong foothold in micro and SME finance, we provide a variety of financing solutions seeking to reduce poverty, promote economic growth and have a positive impact on our environment.

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What sets us apart is our openness to testing new ideas and our lean organisational structure.

FS Impact Finance Meeting

As an independent group company

of the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, one of Europe’s leading business schools, we share the same vision as our shareholder: delivering excellence in management and finance. Our investment priorities are centred around Frankfurt School’s focus topics, going beyond education: the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, renewable energy and climate finance, and forward looking to blockchain and artificial intelligence.

We see ourselves as a complementary pillar to fulfilling Frankfurt School’s academic and consultancy missions, with FS Impact Finance pursuing the highest standards in professional impact investment, offering custom-made investment solutions at the forefront of today’s topics.

With its projects FS Impact Finance tackles 10 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These Goals, also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.

Sustainable Development Goals – No Poverty
Sustainable Development Goals – Clean Water and Sanitation
Sustainable Development Goals – Affordable and clean energy
Sustainable Development Goals – Decent work and economic growth
Sustainable Development Goals – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Sustainable Development Goals – Reduced Inequalities
Sustainable Development Goals – Sustainable Cities and Communities
Sustainable Development Goals – Responsible Consumption and Production
Sustainable Development Goals – Climate Action
Sustainable Development Goals – Life on Land
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renewable energy projects supported
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German start-ups currently supported
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total AUM in micro- and SME finance

Newsroom

News
Titelstory

FS Impact Finance becomes a signatory to the Operating Principles for Impact Management

Technical Contributions
Titelstory

Quick introduction to Credit Risk, Evaluation and CVaR Calculations – Part 1

Technical Contributions
Titelstory

Claiming impact – measuring impact – managing impact

Girl with a laptop and smartphone
Microfinancing
Technical Contributions
Titelstory

Capitalization and Financial Inclusion: Disruptions of Covid 19 to digital opportunities in Latin America

Impressions

Partner & employee feedback

Exactly what I was searching for

With FS Impact Finance I found an attractive employer who offered exactly what I was searching for: a challenging and exciting job in the sector I am passionate about, with huge potential to grow and flexibility at the same time.

I joined FS Impact Finance coming from an industry sector which is highly attractive for impact investing in emerging economies. Without major financial expertise, but a strong background in consulting, I quickly grew into the role as Investment Manager for the Restoration Seed Capital Facility. Supported by the right training and learning on the job, I benefitted from a steep learning curve and quickly adopted the new role and responsibilities within a pleasant environment. Things I enjoy most are the flexibility, the possibility to actively drive change and impact and the team spirit.

Thomas RichterInvestment Manager at FS Impact Finance

Simple documentation process

We had a discussion with Utpal at FS Impact Finance for raising funds and also establishing a new relationship. Post liquidity crunch in India in late 2018, we were able to secure our first Rupee loan through FS Impact Finance which was of great support. Furthermore, we also concluded our first USD debt transaction with FS Impact Finance. I appreciate the simple documentation process.

Apart from timely debt fund support, the relationship with FS Impact Finance also adds value in terms of our internal capacity building of team members. Our product head and institutional head gained from the trainings of Frankfurt School as well as interaction and networking with other global MFIs and banks.

Satyajit DasAnnapurna Finance Pvt Ltd.

Ensuring positive social impact

FS Impact Finance has been a reliable partner since setting up our Microfinance Fund in 2015. As Fund Manager they provide our investors a high investment ratio and an excellent portfolio quality – while always ensuring positive social impact.

As Germany’s leading social bank, we are very pleased working with a team that completely shares our mission and vision. I personally appreciate their integrity, sincerity and hands-on mentality. GLS Bank looks forward to many more years of successful cooperation.

Karsten KührlingsGLS Bank

Finding solutions

I like finding solutions. It’s not about thinking outside the box, it’s about changing the parameters of the box. At FS Impact Finance, we truly strive for the triple bottom-line: finding the business solutions that can make the world more sustainable for people and planet. I’ve been given the freedom to work where I most want to. Unsurprisingly, it’s a region with many problems, but I’m given the patience, the support, the encouragement to learn and grow, which is great because I have a bigger box of tools with which to work – finding those solutions.

Michael CrayneInvestment Manager at FS Impact Finance

A proactive and committed partner

At UN Environment we developed the Seed Capital Assistance Facility in 2010 with the aim of mobilising private sector investment in early-stage low-carbon projects in developing countries. We were then looking for a proactive and committed partner to implement it. Derek, Andrea and Martin have been instrumental in making this facility operate effectively for the last nine years, successfully covering all tasks, ranging from identification of local partners, to due diligence, contracting as well as monitoring and oversight.

Today, the facility has been refinanced and expanded, emphasising the success and necessity for this unique kind of project support in challenging markets. The achievements of the team are underlined by considerable interest to replicate in other sectors, such as forestry or clean oceans.

Eric UsherUNEP Finance Initiative

A continuous process of learning

Continuous learning and personal improvement are my main sources of motivation; and my job at FS Impact Finance fulfills these core needs. My role as a Risk Manager is a continuous process of learning about the macroeconomic, political, financial as well as cultural and social environments of countries around the globe where the company makes investments. At the same time the process of identifying opportunities and risks in potential investments, while being a challenge, is something I very much enjoy about my job. The small but international team at FSIF is another aspect I appreciate. The multinational work environment allows for interesting discussions broadening my understanding of cultural perspectives. FSIF is also committed to the growth and development of its employees as demonstrated through their support during my master’s studies and adequate on-the-job training.

Anahit KirakosyanRisk Manager at FS Impact Finance

Hands-on and flexible approach

As a first-time fund manager, setting up a private equity fund focused on sustainable and high impact small and medium enterprises in Ethiopia was challenging. We went through a lot of ups and downs during our fund-raising efforts to reach first close. Andrea Bode and Martin Cremer believed in our approach and our team from very early on. This enabled us to get access to crucial financing from the Seed Capital Assistance Facility.

Thanks to their continued support we were able to close our fund at USD 75 million in early 2018 and reimburse all grants, to be re-used for other start-up funds. The hands-on and flexible approach by the whole FS Impact Finance team was pivotal in getting us off the ground.

Jacop RentschlerZoscales Partners

Multi-cultural, versatile and cooperative

The work environment at FS Impact Finance is excellent, and very well designed for employees’ development both professionally and personally. The company’s culture is based on shared commitment and motivation, with an attitude to reach a strong performance while still keeping the work-life-balance. I really enjoy working in this very multi-cultural, versatile and cooperative team.

Oumy SarrTransaction Manager at FS Impact Finance

Straight-forward and solution-oriented

We became a beneficiary under the Seed Capital Assistance Facility in late 2011, after our first renewable energy fund was raised. Martin and his team helped us get started when we set up operations in Nairobi. With the support of the facility we were able to hire our first local project director in Kenya.

Moreover, we received essential support during the early stage development phases for several geothermal, wind and hydropower projects in East Africa. Particularly the development grants received for our 5.4MW Lubilia run-of-river hydropower project in Western Uganda to perform early stage environmental assessments and feasibility studies were paramount in getting the project across the finish line. The straight-forward and solution-oriented approach of the FS Impact Finance team makes this one of the rare public-private financing mechanisms that actually works for us.

Lars Tejlgaard JensenFrontier Energy

All our work is based

on the demands of a client base that is committed to socially, environmentally and financially sustainable practices.

Martin Cremer, Managing Director at FS Impact Finance

Initiatives

Bundesinitiative Impact Investing

Partners

FS-UNEP Collaborating Centre
Buergschaftsbank Hessen logo
Wirtschaftsfoederung Frankfurt Logo
Logo GLS Bank

Financing Tomorrow.

We are looking forward to the future. There are a million projects all over the world and we are continuously looking to find the ones suiting our mindset. If you are interested in participating, please feel free to contact the project manager.

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