MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: ACDI/VOCA Registers “Impact” Investment Management Subsidiary AV Ventures and AV Ventures Ghana Fund

Agricultural Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI/VOCA), a US-based nonprofit that implements “sustainable international development” projects related to supporting entrepreneurs in developing nations, recently registered a new subsidiary, AV Ventures LLC, which is designed to build “impact” funds that invest in agricultural small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in an effort to promote “more inclusive, responsible supply chains.” Its pilot fund, AV Ventures Ghana LLC, is slated to provide investments ranging from USD 100,000 to USD 1 million coupled with technical assistance for SMEs in Ghana’s poultry value chain. AV Ventures LLC has arranged for the fund to receive undisclosed amounts of financing from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Ghana Poultry Program and loan funds from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), a development finance institution backed by the US government. As of 2016, ACDI/VOCA works in 33 countries, and as of 2015 it reports total unaudited assets of USD 17 million.

By Michelle Dold, Research Associate

About Agricultural Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI/VOCA)

Founded in 1963, Agricultural Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI/VOCA) is a US-based nonprofit that implements “international development” projects related to providing capital for and building the capacity of entrepreneurs in 33 countries as of 2016. It focuses primarily on promoting financial inclusion, supporting small agricultural businesses, providing technical assistance and business advisory services, and strengthening institutions in the countries in which it works. Additionally, ACDI/VOCA supports a network of financial institutions focused on serving SMEs that offer individual and group loans, banking services and equity investment to a combined client base of 180,000. As of 2016, it reports 1,300 employees and as of December 2015 it reports total unaudited assets of USD 17 million.

Sources and Additional Information:

[1] ACDI/VOCA Press Release: “ACDI/VOCA Launches New Subsidiary AV Ventures to Catalyze Finance”

[2] MicroCapital Universe Profile: Agricultural Cooperative Development International/Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (ACDI/VOCA)

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