GLIDE
Investing to grow female-led SMEs in Africa
Gender Lens Investing & Disadvantaged Entrepreneurs Fund. Helping innovative post-revenue companies to scale by providing capital, mentorship and connectivity
GLIDE
Investing to grow female-led SMEs in Africa
Gender Lens Investing & Disadvantaged Entrepreneurs Fund. Helping innovative post-revenue companies to scale by providing capital, mentorship and connectivity
Diversity benefits Everyone.
1
Good for business
Diversity is excellent business: 70-80% of all consumer decisions globally, including in Africa, are made by women. Moreover, inclusive work environments are associated with better organizational outcomes, and gender diverse teams make better representative decisions.
2
Good for investments
Gender lens investing is, simply, intelligent investing; the relationship between diversity and financial outperformance has been proven. Africa is undergoing social, economic and technological transformational change. The business revolution underway makes it an attractive investment destination for earning high returns alongside high impact.
3
Good for society
Gender equality is a prerequisite for achieving all 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. By advancing women’s equality, the African economy could add 10% to GDP (or US$316 billion) by 2025.
our aim
“Our aim is to accelerate the international expansion of African innovation-driven businesses by leveraging funding, mentorship & connectivity”
about GLI
What is Gender-lens investing?
GLI is an approach to investing that takes into consideration gender-based factors across the investment process to advance gender equality and better inform investment decisions.
Allocating funds with the intent to address gender issues or promote gender equity, including by investing in:
- Women-owned or women-led enterprises
- Enterprises that actively promote workplace equity (in staffing, management, boardroom representation, and along supply chains); or
- Enterprises that offer products or services that substantially improve the lives of women and girls
Investment objectives
75%
Allocated to African businesses that are: i. Women owned/led ii. Promote workplace equity (in staffing, management, boardroom representation, and along supply chains) iii. Offer products or services that substantially improve the lives of women and girls
25%
Distributed to disadvantaged African entrepreneurs, including the disabled, veterans and ex-convicts
1
Innovate
Opportunities with unique/differential IP • Sectors: Finance, Tech, Energy, Agriculture, Water & Sanitation, Education, Healthcare, Urban Development, Consumer Goods
2
Support
Capital, strategic development, access to networks, ongoing mentorship
3
Scale
Grow/Increase value of post-revenue companies with scalable businesses
4
Promote
Gender-equity in early-stage businesses
Investment criteria
Most frequent questions and answers
Entity must be minimum 30% female owned / managed
• Strong management team with execution excellence, purpose driven with a clear understanding of the market and the solution offered
• Scalable business model generating revenues, with robust growth potential (export potential/substantial market demand), targeting high gross margins
• Strong competitive position within their targeted sector, with differentiated Intellectual Property (IP): a unique product
• Post-revenue with a solid client base
• Repeat customers through annuity and other revenue streams
• Defined exit strategy
• Large % of portfolio: Early-stage businesses with clear product-market fit, traction and revenue growth track record
• Small % of portfolio: Earlier-stage businesses, post-revenue
• The Fund will seek a minority stake in each investee, incentivizing and supporting the entrepreneurs to drive their businesses forward
Get in touch
For Investors
Wish to join GLIDE? Click below to schedule an introductory call with us. We aim to revert within 48 hours.
For Early Stage and Beyond
You have an early-stage business that fits our investment criteria? Submit your Deck and we will get in touch if we think we might be a good match.
