Elevar seeks to play an important role in the development of a commercial equity market focused on the four billion at the base of the pyramid who have not been meaningfully reached by global systems. We provide equity capital to entrepreneurs running well-managed, high growth microfinance institutions or institutions delivering services and products to these communities in emerging countries. We invest in entrepreneurs who believe that innovation, scalability, profitability and an understanding of the customer combine to create opportunity and prosperity.

Our customer and community orientation helps us to identify and invest in the most innovative, market-based approaches to drive change for the poor. As an early investor in this market, we are aware of the time and resources it takes to scale a business focused on poor communities. We are long term investors and recognize that all participants – individual clients, communities, entrepreneurs, staff and investors – have to come together to build fundamental value at the base of the economic pyramid. The entrepreneurs and management teams we support view us as partners in connecting poor customers to global networks.

Microfinance as an Investment Theme

Microfinance institutions are the foundation of our investment thesis. We seek to increase the potential of microfinance networks to act as distribution or aggregation systems to the poor, thereby driving both social and commercial returns. Elevar targets growth oriented and promising microfinance institutions in India, South East Asia and Latin America. We continue to find, invest in and work with the most entrepreneurial and promising microfinance companies led by management teams with extraordinary vision.

Adjacent Investment Themes

Beyond our core microfinance investing, Elevar also invests in entrepreneurs focused on providing affordable, commercial and scalable financial and other services to communities at the base of the pyramid. By investing in both microfinance companies and next generation service providers, we hope to accelerate the impact of business led development across multiple markets. Due to the visibility and exposure of our current portfolio, we have a unique understanding into the services and products that are most needed by communities at the base of the pyramid. Elevar’s network includes commercial and social fund investors, upstream capital market players, social entrepreneurs and local communities. Our network allows for the sharing of information, best practices and ideas, and for the creation of opportunities that are valuable to the poor and can support favorable returns.