For every $100 of venture capital funding raised in Africa in 2023, only $1.40 went to education. To say that this is a small amount is a massive understatement. This decline in funding was a major item on the agenda at Mastercard Foundation’s EdTech Conference in Abuja this week. Acumen’s Ruth Wairimu sat on a panel on investment challenges and opportunities in African EdTech. She highlighted the role of foundations, family offices, and grants in bridging the funding gap. Discover more insights from a conversation that included the CEO and co-founder of Acumen investee Zeraki , Isaac Nyangolo. https://bit.ly/464PP44
Acumen
Investment Management
New York, New York 101,150 followers
Solving the problems of poverty and building a world based on dignity.
About us
Acumen is solving the problems of poverty and building a world based on dignity.
- Website
-
https://go.acumen.org/linkedin
External link for Acumen
- Industry
- Investment Management
- Company size
- 51-200 employees
- Headquarters
- New York, New York
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 2001
- Specialties
- non-profit, poverty, social enterprise, impact investing, development, leadership, venture capital, private equity, base of the pyramid, bottom of the pyramid, social entrepreneurship, international development, climate change, Climate Adaptation, clean energy, agriculture, and education
Locations
-
Primary
40 Worth Street
Suite 303
New York, New York 10013, US
Employees at Acumen
Updates
-
Between January 2023 and January 2024, the Kenyan shilling lost 22% of its value against the dollar, and the Nigerian naira lost more than half. Such stark currency depreciation devastates African businesses. It makes revenues less valuable and leads to severe consequences like inventory shortages, debt issues, and job losses. In our latest blog post, Wanji Ng'ang'a, Associate Director of Portfolio at Acumen East Africa, and Daniel Waldron, Acumen’s Head of Insights, discuss the urgent need for new FX solutions. Read more and share your insights with us.
We need new FX solutions in Africa, now
https://acumen.org
-
How can entrepreneurship address climate and poverty? How can the private sector create lasting solutions? We are pleased to announce that Acumen is partnering with the Asia Society to cover these and more on July 23rd. Join Jacqueline Novogratz in conversation with Steph Speirs, former CEO of Solstice, and moderated by Shaiza Rizavi. Register here: https://bit.ly/4cKMole
-
-
Entre 2001 y 2020 la Amazonía perdió más de 54,2 millones de hectáreas. Con esta preocupación y las consecuencias que esta pérdida genera en las comunidades rurales en Colombia, Acumen apoyará a Amazonía Emprende, una organización que busca contribuir a la recuperación de ecosistemas degradados o deforestados y proporcionar soluciones sostenibles para las comunidades locales, en el fortalecimiento del Centro de Semillas Nativas. Conoce más en: https://lnkd.in/et_EGXDn USAID Colombia, Fundación Grupo Bancolombia, BID Lab
150.000 hectáreas de la Amazonía colombiana serán restauradas por Amazonía Emprende para 2031
https://acumen.org/es/
-
Regenerative agriculture can safeguard food security by enhancing soil quality, conserving water, and reducing emissions. However, it’s often inaccessible and unaffordable to those most at risk from climate change: smallholder farmers. Distributed renewables can ease this transition but capital and support are needed to bring efficient, reliable, clean energy solutions to low-income communities. Learn more in a new op-ed from Acumen’s CEO Jacqueline Novogratz and SNV's Simon O'Connell in Economist Impact. #RegenerativeAgriculture #RenewableEnergy #ClimateAction
Harnessing renewable energy for resilient food systems—by Jacqueline Novogratz & Simon O’Connell
impact.economist.com
-
Autodesk Foundation's portfolio of partners, including Acumen, has achieved tremendous impact 👇 👥 110 million individuals reached with resilient solutions housing and infrastructure, energy access, agricultural productivity, and workforce development (cumulative) 💨 2.2 million metric tons CO2e of GHG emissions reduced in 2023 👷♀️ 12,900 individuals obtained new or improved jobs in 2023 Check out this latest impact report from Autodesk Foundation to learn more about how it is building a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive world. https://lnkd.in/d6zYDtZt
Impact Report | Autodesk Foundation
autodesk.org
-
The role of trust and community cannot be understated in building true leadership. Acumen Academy Director Bavidra Mohan shares insights on how Acumen Fellows learn and grow together in a supportive environment and how this helps them achieve lasting impact.
De-Risking Social Entrepreneurship By Creating a Support Network
thegrand.world
-
Despite societal constraints, MOWO Fleet has made significant strides in putting women in the driving seat and contributing to household incomes by driving electric two or three-wheelers for income.
-
In June, Acumen's President Carlyle Singer and General Counsel Lynn Roland shared their insights at the 2024 Annual Conference on Legal Issues in Social Entrepreneurship and Impact Investing at New York University School of Law. Carlyle and Lynn joined a panel with MCE Social Capital's CEO Camilla Nestor, COO and General Counsel Ginny Reyes Llamzon. Amélie Baudot, COO of the International Fund for Public Interest Media, moderated the discussion. Here were some of the key insights that Carlyle and Lynn shared: 🤝 Building Strong Relationships: Their ability to engage in constructive disagreements has been pivotal in driving effective decision-making and fostering a collaborative environment. This has helped cultivate strong, trusting relationships within Acumen’s leadership team. ⚖️ Legal as a Thought Partner: The role of a General Counsel in impact-driven organizations extends beyond traditional legal functions. It involves being a strategic advisor who understands the organization's mission and works closely with other leaders to align legal strategies with overall goals. Carlyle and Lynn emphasized the importance of mutual understanding and continuous learning to navigate complex decisions together. The discussion provided invaluable insights into how General Counsels can become trusted strategic advisors within the C-Suite, fostering strong working relationships and driving meaningful impact. 📸 : ©Myaskovsky: Courtesy of NYU Photo Bureau.
-
-
We, and the world, are experiencing a profound loss with the news of Nick Imudia’s passing. He was the CEO of d.light and a leader driven by a deep sense of purpose and impact. In a recent conversation with our CEO, Jacqueline Novogratz, he shared his story of joining d.light because of his desire to lead a team that was working hard to make the world a better place for everyone. Nick played a pivotal role in leading d.light through challenging periods, and his passion and dedication were evident to all who knew and worked with him. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family and the entire d.light team during this difficult time. Nick’s legacy of purpose-driven leadership will continue to inspire us all.
-