Singapore-based investment company Temasek announced today a new $500 million strategic partnership with leading global impact investment group LeapFrog Investments, in the form of a multi-fund investment by Temasek to anchor LeapFrog’s future funds. According to the companies, the agreement marks the largest-ever commitment to an impact investor.
Launched in 2008, LeapFrog invests in exceptional businesses in emerging Asia and Africa, enabling ‘leaps’ of growth, profitability and impact. Including the new partnership, LeapFrog has raised over $2 billion from global institutional investors. LeapFrog companies reach 212 million people with healthcare or financial services, and directly provide employment to over 130,000 people.
Benoit Valentin, Head, Impact Investing, at Temasek, said:
“There is an urgent and pressing need to address the critical socialSocial criteria examine how it manages relationships with employees, suppliers, customers, and the communities where it operates. More and environmentalEnvironmental criteria consider how a company performs as a steward of nature. More challenges that the world is facing. We believe in the potential of impact investing to unlock the capital to meet these challenges. Our partnership with LeapFrog, with its focus on serving underserved markets, underscores Temasek’s commitment to investing for impact, and the contributions these investments make towards shaping a better world for our communities.”
As part of the new agreement, Temasek will also take a minority stake in LeapFrog and provide growth capital to support the expansion of the LeapFrog team and investment capabilities across Asia and Africa. LeapFrog and its investment process will continue to be managed and controlled by its team of partners, with Temasek taking one non-executive seat on LeapFrog’s Management Board.
Dr Andy Kuper, Founder and CEO of LeapFrog, said:
“When we launched LeapFrog, the impact industry did not exist, but we believed that Profit with Purpose was the future of business and investment. For almost 15 years, we have worked to build a values-driven firm, co-creating a thriving industry that now stands at $715 billion and is projected to grow to up to $26 trillion. Through this landmark commitment, Temasek joins in our vision to build an enduring and exemplary investment institution. We will continue to open the gates of the capital markets to purpose-driven businesses.”
Amit Bouri, CEO and Co-Founder of the Global Impact Investing Network, added:
“This commitment reflects a new level of scale for the global impact investing industry. World-leading investors are prioritising measurable impact alongside financial returns, demonstrating that each can enhance the other. It is imperative that investors step up the scale of capital they are deploying now, to make it possible for billions of people to lead their families, businesses, and communities to brighter futures.”
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