Pomona Impact Launched Pomona Impact Fund II

Central American impact investment fund, Pomona Impact Fund II (“the Fund” and “Fund II”), announces its first close at USD $ 10 million to invest in Small Growing Businesses to profitably scale their impact. Existing investors in the Fund include the IDB Lab, AECID / FONPRODE, Capria Ventures along with Central American family offices and private Foundations. Pomona will continue to fundraise over the next 18 months with the goal of reaching a Fund size of $ 30 million.

Richard Ambrose , Managing Partner at Pomona Impact said, “We have a great team, a robust pipeline, a well-suited investment strategy and a strong network of partners to make Fund II a success. If we do our job well, we’re confident that the Fund’s success will attract substantially more impact-oriented capital to the region and spur the growth of commercially sustainable solutions to local challenges. ”

Pomona has leveraged its years of experience investing in Central America to inform its strategy for Fund II. The Fund will focus on early growth investments opportunities in Small Growing Businesses (SGBs) in Central America, Mexico, Colombia, and Ecuador. Sectors of interest include agri-processing and light manufacturing, basic goods and services (renewable energy, water, education, housing and sanitation), and digital economy industries (fintech, logistics and ecommerce) that create scalable social and environmental impact. The Fund will invest with target ticket sizes between $ 500,000 to $ 2,000,000 and primarily use self-liquidating instruments to order to mitigate the exit risk in a region with relatively thin capital markets.

Daniel Granada , Partner at Pomona Impact said, ”new tech-enabled companies are emerging rapidly to provide superior services at affordable prices in the health, financial and education sectors. COVID conditions have further accelerated the development and adaptation of these companies that represent an increasingly compelling pool of investment opportunities for the Fund. ” Pomona has its finger on the pulse of technological advancements in the region as well as changing macro-economic and political shifts that impact the local business environment. Its longstanding local presences has uniquely positioned the company to be able to evaluate the risks and understand where the opportunities lie.

Susana Garcia-Robles , Senior Partner, Capria Ventures commented, “We are excited to support Pomona. The thriving startup ecosystem of this region deserves backing from investors like Pomona who can add real value beyond just capital, encourage cross-border presence, and maintain a collaborative approach to local founders. ”