SVX Colombia Continues Strengthening the Impact Investment Ecosystem

SVX reports over $13 million CAD in new impact capital mobilized and support for over 600 impact organizations through Program de Apoyo a la inversión de Impacto en Colombia (PAIIC)

This November, an event was held in Bogotá bringing together key players in Colombia’s impact investment ecosystem. With over 100 participants, the event highlighted the achievements of the Program de Apoyo a la inversión de Impacto en Colombia (PAIIC), led by SVX Colombia and developed with the support of the Global Affairs Canada (GAC). Notably, SVX announced that the program mobilized CAD $13.7 million in grant and investment capital and provided training and support to over 600 local funds, enterprises, investors, accelerators, and organizations over the past two years. Additionally, during the event, the official incorporation of SVX Colombia was announced, further driving the growth of the purposeful investment ecosystem in Colombia and the region.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOGOTÁ, D.C., November 21, 2024 — SVX Colombia reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the impact investment ecosystem in the country during an event held this November. The gathering connected key stakeholders within the community, provided a platform to host a delegation of 15 Canadian impact investing leaders, and showcased the program’s progress and achievements.

The event also marked the official launch of SVX Colombia, a newly incorporated nonprofit organization dedicated to driving social and environmental impact by advising local organizations on how to start or scale their impact investing strategies. Furthermore, the event also featured discussions about the crucial role of international cooperation, with the Canadian Embassy being highlighted as a cornerstone of financial and strategic support for these impactful initiatives.

PAIIC’s Key Achievements

• Over the last two (2) years, PAIIC has mobilized over CAD $13.7 million in capital to support impact-driven projects and enterprises, collaborating with more than 600 organizations, including funds, investors, corporations, companies, and accelerators.
• Through 149 capacity-building sessions, the program has directly benefited 811 individuals and indirectly impacted 2,433 more, while also fostering the creation of 222 new jobs. Additionally, PAIIC has disbursed CAD $1,245,000 in non-reimbursable resources to 30 participants. Its initiatives have reached 72 municipalities across 24 Colombian departments, covering over 70% of the national territory. These efforts have had a significant positive impact on key areas such as climate action and biodiversity, rural development, and gender equity.

Testimonials

Musa del Trópico (regenerative agriculture) highlighted that receiving new capital from PAIIC brought more confidence to their capital-raising process. Raising capital through PAIIC now allows them to join the ranks of recognized territorial organizations like CONFAMA.

Empodera Impact Capital, which has always approached investments with a gender lens, deepened its understanding of gender metrics thanks to PAIIC. They now examine gender considerations at both the Fund and company levels, a move that required collaboration with a mentor to refine health access metrics. This more nuanced approach has streamlined discussions and brought a sharper focus on health access-related issues.

ImpactHub Medellín is now focusing on gender indicators and supporting female entrepreneurs in rural areas, particularly former peace agreement signatories. Influenced by their work with PAIIC, they address the shifting gender dynamics these women face post-demobilization, adapting empowerment strategies accordingly. This initiative advances gender-focused investment strategies and takes a novel approach by working with associations and cooperatives.

Launch of SVX Colombia

The launch of SVX Colombia is a significant step toward scaling up the robust impact investment ecosystem in the country. As part of the international SVX Global network, SVX Colombia will focus on knowledge development and management, strategy and product design, impact fund administration, and capacity-building for various stakeholders in the sector. SVX Colombia will also provide advisory services for structuring programs and investment vehicles aimed at fostering sustainable and regenerative development in Colombia.

Looking Ahead: A Commitment to the Future

Paula Delgadillo, Director of SVX Colombia, emphasized the importance of this new initiative: “The establishment of SVX Colombia will allow us to continue supporting diverse

actors in the ecosystem as they transition toward purpose-driven investment models. We believe that impact investing can be a key driver of positive change in our country.”

SVX Colombia a part of a global network of impact investing organizations with a shared vision of cooperation and collaboration to drive regenerative impact in Colombia and to connect knowledge, capital, and stakeholders across the Americas for mutual benefit.

As Spence remarked, “This launch is an important milestone in an ongoing, collaborative effort aimed at strengthening the impact investment ecosystem in Colombia in order to advance social, economic and environmental justice. We are excited about the potential to deepen our work with Colombian impact leaders and to strengthen the connections with the impact investing ecosystem in Canada and beyond.”

Media Contacts

Paula Delgadillo

Project Director | SVX Colombia

paula.delgadillo@svx.ca

Gabriella Yapp

Communications Associate | SVX Canada

gabriella.yapp@svx.ca

Zaira Campo Arias

Project Coordinator | SVX Colombia

zaira.campo@svx.ca

About SVX Canada

SVX’s mission is to advance social, environmental and economic justice through impact investing. As a nonprofit, diversified financial services firm, we work with investors, funds, enterprises, and institutions to help them take the first step or next step on their impact journey.

We provide knowledge products and programs, design strategies and products, manage funds, operate an impact investing platform, and develop systems change solutions. We work across sectors that deliver meaningful impact: climate, food, equity, Indigenous Reconciliation, housing, and community real estate.

SVX is regulated by the Ontario Securities Commission and it is registered as an Exempt Market Dealer (EMD) in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Québec. We have partners and operations across Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Colombia. For more information, please visit www.svx.ca.

About Programa de Apoyo a la Inversión de Impacto en Colombia (PAIIC)

Programa de Apoyo a la Inversión de Impacto en Colombia (PAIIC) is an impact investing ecosystem support program that provides both capital and capacity supports for enterprises, organizations and funds seeking to start or scale their impact, particularly focused on rural regions in Colombia, women, and climate action. This impact investing infrastructure program seeks to leverage and support the work of existing stakeholders while tactically filling market gaps in capital, capacity and network development with resources and new programs. This program has been designed and led by SVX in collaboration with ecosystem partners.

The core program is implemented through:

• Support Programs: Hands-on capacity building support to impact enterprises, organizations, projects, intermediaries and investors.
• Granting Streams: Grant funding to enterprises, organizations, funds, and capacity building organizations including an innovative finance grant program, accelerator grant program, and enterprise grant program.
• Partners: The program will have both core and delivery partners to ensure successful program delivery.

For more information, please visit: https://svxcolombia.com/