Opes Impact Fund

OPES-LCEF is an early-stage impact fund that provides patient capital, technical and management support to impact enterprises that improve the lives of low-income people. They actively promote private sector solutions to locally address poverty and inequality through entrepreneurship and innovation, especially where they can also generate positive environmental results. The fund invests in early-stage ventures where capital need is greatest, addressing the pioneer gap. Embedding gender lens investing into their approach is a key element to magnify their impact and make their investments smarter. The fund believes that private sector and market-based solutions can locally help tackle global issues of poverty, social inequality, and energy poverty. They focus on supporting early-stage entrepreneurs because they are often first movers providing needed products and services into disadvantaged communities and low-income people. SMEs that require flexible and patient capital, as well as management support and mentorship for growth, foster social and market change and contribute to poverty alleviation. OPES-LCEF prioritizes low-carbon solutions and better environmental outcomes for disadvantaged populations, whether via addressing energy poverty in off-grid communities or in providing products and services that reduce harmful environmental effects. They have a primary geographical focus on East Africa and India, aiming to generate leveraged benefits and outcomes. They also support disruptive business models in other geographies. Key sectors of focus include access to water, sanitation, education, energy, health, low carbon and conservation.