Acumen

At #5 in our most popular blog posts of 2024 Kumaon Tea is reinventing the tea industry in India with a community-ownership model that empowers smallholder farmers, especially women, with fair wages and profit-sharing.   Paraag Sabhlok | Mahesh Yagnaraman| Raj Vable  

This year, we shared stories and insights that sparked important conversations about poverty, entrepreneurship, and impact. We’re revisiting our 5 most popular blog posts as we wrap up the year. Stay tuned as we count down from #5 to #1. Whether you’re discovering them for the first time or revisiting your favorites, we hope they continue to inspire you. Visit our knowledge hub to explore all our insights, news, and stories!

We couldn’t agree more with Asad Mahmood and Nanno Kleiterp on the pivotal role philanthropy plays in derisking for-profit social enterprises serving low-income communities. By providing the initial funding and flexibility, philanthropy lays the foundation needed for these businesses to scale, take on more risk, and drive impact. Acumen has been at the forefront for 23 years, blending philanthropic capital with investments to support entrepreneurs solving some of the world’s toughest problems. We have seen firsthand how the right combination of funding can unlock innovation and build sustainable businesses. Check out this article in NextBillion to learn more about the role of philanthropy in driving social change.

Before joining Acumen as Associate Director of the Foundry, Neha Pandya was an Acumen Fellow and Co-founder and Co-CEO of FLIP Africa, a digital freelance marketplace empowering workers in Africa’s $884B gig economy. In this video, Neha shares her journey from intrapreneur to entrepreneur—and everything in between.

"Only when we use every tool at our disposal — ensuring an economy that includes those who toil daily — will we build a world that is productive, sustainable, and just." In The Catalyst, The B Team’s monthly newsletter, Acumen CEO Jacqueline Novogratz  shares a message of hard-edged hope following COP29. Amidst global discontent and growing challenges, Jacqueline underscores the critical role of business and finance in building an economy that works for those often left behind. Read her powerful call to action here ⬇️

We’re excited to kick off a special series where we share conversations with members of the Acumen community, from Fellows to investees, and share their inspiring journeys, insights, and impact. Stay tuned for stories of innovation, resilience, and change from those transforming industries and communities for the better.

In Kenya, where unpredictable climate patterns wreak havoc on smallholder farmers, Sweetunda_Kenya is creating sustainable solutions. By turning surplus fruits and vegetables into nutritious snacks, it is addressing two critical issues: food waste and smallholder farmer poverty. Working directly with local farmers, Sweetunda ensures 100% of harvested produce is utilized while providing climate-adaptive farming support. The result? Increased incomes and a reliable market for farmers.  With Acumen’s investment, SweeTunda aims to expand its impact, supporting 1,000 more farmers, and making healthy snacks affordable across Kenya. Want to learn how Sweetunda is helping farmers thrive and fighting food waste? Read the full story here 👇🏽

“I returned from COP29 with a sense of hard-edged hope wrung from the growing number of financial collaborations focused on solving problems with greater urgency.” Following a year of profound change, Jacqueline Novogratz, #BTeam Leader and founder and CEO of Acumen, reflects on her time at UN Climate Change Conference #COP29, the potential of financial mechanisms and what needs to happen now.  She also shares one of her personal sources of inspiration as we look ahead to the new year. 👉 Read more in The Catalyst, The B Team’s monthly newsletter: https://lnkd.in/drhY9pYR

Over the years, we’ve learned so much from the incredible companies and Fellows we work with, all striving to create a more inclusive future.  Check out our Case Studies page to discover real stories and the lessons shaping a better tomorrow.

Refugee-Lens Investing (RLI) is reshaping the narrative around forcibly displaced people (FDP), spotlighting their ability to contribute to economic growth in their new communities. This emerging movement connects investors with businesses that empower FDP and their host communities—creating jobs, fostering resilience, and advancing economic integration. With climate change and conflict expected to displace hundreds of millions more by 2050, the need for innovative, sustainable solutions has never been greater. This Forced Migration Review article explores the opportunities and challenges of this approach. Are you curious about how RLI works—and why it matters? Explore real-world examples of RLI in action from Acumen’s FDP Lens Investment Initiative in East Africa. This piece was written by Kate Montgomery and Lindsay Camacho  of Acumen in partnership with colleagues from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Refugee Investment Network, and Danish Refugee Council / Dansk Flygtningehjælp.