We are currently welcoming investment proposals from for-profit social enterprises looking to grow and create lasting impact. Our goal is to help these businesses grow into sustainable entities, driven by their own revenue and independent of ongoing philanthropic support.

To learn more about eligibility and our processes, please see the information contained below. We invite eligible companies to submit a proposal for consideration.

  • Our mission is to provide sustainable access to healthcare, water, food, and education for people in need worldwide through advances in technology and engineering.

  • We have worked to determine where we can make the biggest difference in the philanthropic space.  We've explored questions like, "What are we uniquely suited to do?  What gaps exist in the funding universe that we can fill?  What are we best at?  Where are we going to focus our efforts?"  Through work with our portfolio, learnings from our growing network of partners, and guidance from trusted advisors and subject matter experts across the philanthropic landscape, we have determined that we are best suited to support for-profit companies and help them achieve impact at scale. 

    • We don’t have a set investment size. We work to understand how much capital the business needs to become self-sustaining through profitable growth.

    • We don’t have set exit timelines or return requirements. Any proceeds from an exit remain in the foundation to be reinvested in other social enterprises.

    • We don’t take board seats; instead we serve as board observers. Regardless of our equity stake, we limit our voting rights to less than 20% of the voting shares. We want our leaders to retain control of their companies.

  • There is no single profile for our ideal investment candidate. However, we focus on a few key ingredients that are essential to our decision-making process.

    • It starts with the leader(s): We invest in leaders who are not just capable but driven by a deeper mission. These are individuals who could succeed in any field but choose to build companies that create products and services that address some of humanity's hardest challenges. We must believe in the character and competence of those leading the company—leaders who are not only passionate but also have the integrity and vision to see their mission through.

    • Integrity of the solution: We seek solutions that are not only innovative but essential. Your product or service must address a genuine need, offering a solution that is both impactful and sustainable over time. Integrity in the solution means it has the potential to become indispensable to those it serves, creating lasting value and making a real difference.

    • Viability of the business model: We invest in organizations with a path to financial sustainability through a business model capable of generating and growing revenue.

    • We invest in for-profit social enterprises. We focus on the following areas:

      • Sector: We focus on healthcare, education, food security, and clean water—areas where innovation can make a profound difference in the lives of those who need it most.

      • Stage: We invest in businesses at various stages of development, including early-stage companies that may not yet be generating revenue but have a clear plan for achieving sustainability. Whether pre-revenue or in the growth phase, we focus on companies who are ready to take their concepts to the next level, scale their operations, and significantly deepen their impact.

      • Geography: While we prioritize regions where our capital can drive significant change, we primarily focus on solutions that will help people in the Global South, either now or in the future.

    • We do not provide funding for the following:

      • Investment / impact funds

      • Endowments

      • Scholarship funds

      • Capital campaigns

      • Transactional services

      • Political campaigns / lobbying

      • Advocacy

      • Early stage drug development

      • NGOs/INGOs

      • Research

      • Conference Sponsorships/ Convening

      • Intermediary organizations

      • System orchestrators

  • We take a thoughtful and thorough approach to evaluating the organizations we invest in, beginning with a streamlined submission process followed by meaningful discussions with your team. We do not follow a set review schedule; each proposal is reviewed individually as it is received, and funding approval is determined on an rolling basis.

    • To start, please submit your proposal and the requested documents via this link. Your submission should include all relevant information about your organization, such as your mission, business model, leadership team, and a link to your data room. We believe in understanding your vision and approach from the outset, so we ask that you provide all necessary details upfront.

    • We commit to carefully evaluating each proposal. This may involve discussions with your leadership team or other subject matter experts to better assess how your organization aligns with our eligibility criteria. If we believe your proposal may be a fit with our priorities, we will reach out to initiate the diligence process. If it is not a fit, we will inform you as soon as possible.

  • Our due diligence process is both comprehensive and efficient, enabling us to make informed decisions while respecting your time and allowing you to stay focused on running your business. 

    • We seek to answer the following questions:

      • What problem are you trying to solve?

      • What is your solution to that problem?

      • What is your business model?

      • How would you use risk capital to fuel the next stage of your business, and how does it become sustainable?

      • Do you and your leadership team have the expertise and experience needed to successfully execute the business strategy?

    • Important Documents to Support Your Application: As part of the submission process, you’ll need to provide a link to a data room containing the documents listed in this attachment. These materials are essential to our due diligence process. After our initial review, we may request additional documents or schedule a meeting for further discussion. Please note that missing documents may extend the review timeline or, in some cases, result in the rejection of your application.

    • Confidentiality: We take the privacy and security of your data seriously. All information submitted in this funding application will be treated with strict confidentiality and used solely to evaluate your funding request. This may include sharing information with external subject matter experts.

  • When you join our portfolio, our commitment to your success goes beyond providing capital. We partner with you to ensure that your business has the support it needs to thrive, while minimizing administrative burdens so you can stay focused on your mission. Here’s what to expect when working with us:

    Post-Funding Approval: Once your funding is approved, we’ll collaborate closely with you to finalize the formal terms of our partnership. Together, we’ll define the impact metrics and business objectives that will guide our shared success. Our goal is to move quickly and efficiently, so you can start working on the next phase of your business. 

    Reporting: We understand that running a business requires your full attention, so we strive to minimize the reporting requirements while ensuring we meet our obligations as investors. 

    Required reporting includes:

    • Quarterly/Annual Financial Statements

    • Quarterly Impact Outcome Metrics

    • Board Meeting Materials

    • Annual Impact Report

    • Annual Budgets and Business Plan

    • Other items as needed

    Board Meetings: We believe that regular, well-structured board meetings are essential to your company’s success. These meetings provide not only oversight but also strategic guidance that can act as rocket fuel for your growth. As part of our partnership, we expect companies to conduct board meetings on a regular basis, ensuring that the board serves as a valuable resource for your leadership team. We serve as board observers, offering guidance and support while allowing you to retain full decision-making control.

    Convening: To foster a sense of community and shared learning, we occasionally host virtual meetings and in-person gatherings for our portfolio companies. These events are designed to offer valuable networking opportunities, peer support, and insights that can benefit your business. We often schedule these meetings around major conferences or events that many of our portfolio companies will already be attending, making participation as convenient as possible.

  • We are self-funded and do not accept donations.

Please see our Home page for more information about the organizations we support.