KKR has confirmed the final closing of its $1.3 billion Global Impact Fund.
The fund invests in companies whose core business models offer commercial products or services to solve an environmental or social challenge.
New York-based KKR said it is focussed on identifying opportunities in the Americas, Europe and Asia, where financial returns and impact objectives are aligned. It plans to do so by investing in companies in the “lower middle market” who can clearly show they are making progress to one or more of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
“The UN SDGs were developed to mobilise citizens, policymakers, technologists and investors to address global challenges,” Robert Antablin and Ken Mehlman, KKR Partners and Co-Heads of KKR Global Impact, said in a joint media statement.
“As investors, we have a significant role to play in building businesses that contribute to SDG solutions while also generating financial returns for our fund investors by doing so.”
KKR launched its global impact business back in 2018, but has enjoyed some early success. It’s 12 person team has attracted funds from a wide range of investors around the world, including family offices, high net worth individuals, institutional investors and pension funds.
In this latest announcement, the company said it has identified several macro themes where it believes the fund can contribute meaningfully:
- Mitigating and adapting to climate change
- Protecting clean water
- Learning and workforce development
- Responsible waste management
- Leveraging technology to enhance safety
- Mobility and sustainability
- Serving globally conscious consumers healthier and more sustainable products and services
- Upgrading declining industry and infrastructure
Further information on the fund is available here.
