CASPIAN SME IMPACT FUND IV

Core Investment Principles

• Dual Bottom Line: They prioritize businesses that deliver high-quality financial performance while simultaneously addressing critical social or environmental problems.
• Innovative Business Models: The firm seeks out innovative SMEs with models that improve access and efficiency for underserved populations (e.g., smallholder farmers, micro-enterprises).
• Sector Deep-Dive: Rather than broad diversification, Caspian focuses on building deep expertise in specific high-impact sectors:
  • Food & Agriculture: Increasing farmer income and improving yield/realization.
  • Financial Inclusion: Pioneering microfinance, housing finance, and agri-fintech.
  • Clean Energy: Backing technologies like solar and waste-to-energy with strong intellectual property.
• Governance & Ethics: They hold both themselves and their portfolio companies to high standards of transparency, governance, and ethical conduct.
• High-Quality Leadership: A major part of their screening involves backing authentic, high-quality entrepreneurs with strong conviction and financial discipline.