Group Impact Report 2020

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Thanusha
When conflict destroys livelihoods…
…I am an entrepreneur. I conquer adversity.

I am Thanusha.

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Muzalema
When poor maternal care and infant mortality endanger motherhood…
…I nurture. I am life-saving natal care.

I am Muzalema.

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Chaitali
When the underserved need a champion…
…I rise to the challenge. I provide capital.

I am Chaitali.

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$1.1b

Group Assets Under Management

100m+

Underserved customers supported through our Group investments and engagements

55m+

Underserved women customers supported through our Group investments and engagements

6500+

Employees across the Group; 20% Women in management

The past two decades at Aavishkaar Group have been characterized by grit, innovation and learning. Our entrepreneurs, investors, team, and collaborators have shown an unparalleled passion towards building an inclusive and sustainable future. As we embark upon our third decade of impactful business, we’re excited to herald in a new future; one where impact is the new mainstream.

Our next decade of work includes expanding to several South East Asian and sub-Saharan African countries. Building upon the foundation of our past, we will work on scalable and synergistic business models, products and service across multiple sectors, full spectrum financial assistance, digital microfinance, phygital MSME finance, digital insurance, advisory and analytics, and impact investing with enhanced focus on environmental & social governance and management.

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I started out trying to impact the life of one entrepreneur. Today, as a Group we have positively impacted over 100 Million lives. We are building a unicorn which will change a billion lives.

Vineet Rai, Founder and Chairman, Aavishkaar Group
Read our Impact Report

2.3m

Microfinance clients served directly; 98% Women MFI clients

3810

MSME clients served directly, 28% women-led MSMEs

59

Enterprises Disbursed Equity Capital directly; 29% Women-led Enterprises; 80% Enterprises received Institutional Capital for the First-time

3800+

Enterprises and MSMEs supported across sectors

1.5m+MT

CO2 emission reduced

28m

People provided with essential services including healthcare, sanitation, and education

No Poverty

12.5 Mn People Provided with Microfinance (98% women) by Group companies and via Investments

Zero hunger

6.2 Mn farmers supported with livelihoods, products, and services (27% women) via engagements and investments

Good health and well-being

2.1 Mn People provided with affordable healthcare (56% women) via investments

Quality education

3.15 Mn students provided with affordable, quality education (49% girls) via investments

Gender equality

1,468 Women-led MSMEs supported directly with finance and capacity building services

Clean water and sanitation

15 Mn people provided with sanitation facilities via Group companies and investments;

6.9 Mn people provided with potable drinking water via investments

Affordable and clean energy

1.1 Mn people provided with clean cookstoves via Group investments

Decent work and economic growth

600k+ jobs and livelihoods created (300k+ women) via investments and clients

Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

1534 Early-stage enterprises incubated and supported

52k+ MSME Provided with Financial Services, Products and Services

1.5 Mn MT of C02 Emissions Reduced

Reducing inequalities

USD 2.1 Bn Disbursed in Microfinance, MSME Finance, and Equity Investments to enterprises and individuals in developing countries by the Group

Sustainable cities and communities

20,000+ People Provided with Financial Services to Build Houses via Group investments

Responsible consumption and production

85K metric tons of waste recycled via engagements and investments

Life below water

267 artisanal fishermen provided with fair-trade market access

Partnership for the goals

14 initiatives and national and global industry bodies founded and participated in

Read our Impact Report
Aavishkaar Group’s vision is to Bridge the Opportunity Gap for the Emerging 3 Billion.

We have been realizing this vision through each of the Aavishkaar Group businesses - Aavishkaar Capital, Arohan, Ashv, and Intellecap – that individually support various parts of the journeys of low and middle-income entrepreneurs. Together, we have been able to create a platform that leads to exponential impact across entire ecosystems. We strongly believe and promote ‘Impact’ in the DNA of all our group businesses. By leveraging capital, knowledge and networks, we provide a strong differentiated capability as an Impact platform, with each business rooted in strong fundamental and common principles of access, inclusion and sustainability.

All businesses make an Impact. But not all investments are Impact Investments

We believe that most businesses make an impact. However, it is difficult to make certain kinds of impact and commercial capital is shy to deal with such challenges that they fully don’t comprehend; therefore, impact investing has a pioneering role associated with it. We also believe that while all companies make impact but not all investments are impact investments. And we strive to understand the distinction between the two and this remains a challenge in our journey.

Our IMM Framework looks at impact in all its dimensions

Our interpretation of Impact is highly contextual and driven by our deep understanding of the local context. Our framework considers the obvious and direct impact that is visible and can be measured quantitatively. In addition, we look at the depth of impact that go beyond the obvious impact due to its ability to generate significant leverage on the sector or the market.

Our Core Impact Areas

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Bridge the Opportunity Gap for the Emerging 3 Billion

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Bridge the Opportunity Gap for the Emerging 3 Billion

Providing both B2B and B2C products and services – either directly or through our equity investments and the businesses we provide growth support to – for the emerging three billion; people who fall within the low income and lower middle-income segments of the population in Global South markets.

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Contextually Appropriate Solutions

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Contextually Appropriate Solutions

Supporting only contextually appropriate solutions that meet entrepreneurs where they are, and by entrepreneurs that understand, intimately, the needs of their clients to address the gap of geographic accessibility (rural or remote areas), demographic inclusion (gender, disability or other vulnerabilities) or affordability of an essential service.

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Improving ESG Practices

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Improving ESG Practices

Improving Social and Environmental Governance (ESG) practices both within the Group companies, as well as within the enterprises we support.

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Creating an Impact Ecosystem

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Creating an Impact Ecosystem

Building and nurturing supportive ecosystems around impact investing in Asia and Africa.

Our Impact Overview

2.3m

Microfinance clients served directly; 98% Women MFI clients

3810

MSME clients served directly, 28% women-led MSMEs

59

Enterprises Disbursed Equity Capital directly; 29% Women-led Enterprises; 80% Enterprises received Institutional Capital for the First-time

3800+

Enterprises and MSMEs supported across sectors

1.5m+MT

CO2 emission reduced

28m

People provided with essential services including healthcare, sanitation, and education

Our Core Impact Areas

No Poverty
Zero hunger
Good health and well-being
Quality education
Gender equality
Clean water and sanitation
Affordable and clean energy
Decent work and economic growth
Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Reducing inequalities
Sustainable cities and communities
Responsible consumption and production
Life below water
Partnership for the goals

Our Impact Measurement and Management Thesis

Aavishkaar Group’s vision is to Bridge the Opportunity Gap for the Emerging 3 Billion.

We have been realizing this vision through each of the Aavishkaar Group businesses - Aavishkaar Capital, Arohan, Ashv, and Intellecap – that individually support various parts of the journeys of low and middle-income entrepreneurs. Together, we have been able to create a platform that leads to exponential impact across entire ecosystems. We strongly believe and promote ‘Impact’ in the DNA of all our group businesses. By leveraging capital, knowledge and networks, we provide a strong differentiated capability as an Impact platform, with each business rooted in strong fundamental and common principles of access, inclusion and sustainability.

All businesses make an Impact. But not all investments are Impact Investments

We believe that most businesses make an impact. However, it is difficult to make certain kinds of impact and commercial capital is shy to deal with such challenges that they fully don’t comprehend; therefore, impact investing has a pioneering role associated with it. We also believe that while all companies make impact but not all investments are impact investments. And we strive to understand the distinction between the two and this remains a challenge in our journey.

Our IMM Framework looks at impact in all its dimensions

Our interpretation of Impact is highly contextual and driven by our deep understanding of the local context. Our framework considers the obvious and direct impact that is visible and can be measured quantitatively. In addition, we look at the depth of impact that go beyond the obvious impact due to its ability to generate significant leverage on the sector or the market.

Our Core Impact Areas

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Bridge the Opportunity Gap for the Emerging 3 Billion - icon

Bridge the Opportunity Gap for the Emerging 3 Billion

Aavishkaar - Minus
Bridge the Opportunity Gap for the Emerging 3 Billion - icon

Bridge the Opportunity Gap for the Emerging 3 Billion

Providing both B2B and B2C products and services – either directly or through our equity investments and the businesses we provide growth support to – for the emerging three billion; people who fall within the low income and lower middle-income segments of the population in Global South markets.

Aavishkaar - Plus
Contextually Appropriate Solutions - icon

Contextually Appropriate Solutions

Aavishkaar - Minus
Contextually Appropriate Solutions - icon

Contextually Appropriate Solutions

Supporting only contextually appropriate solutions that meet entrepreneurs where they are, and by entrepreneurs that understand, intimately, the needs of their clients to address the gap of geographic accessibility (rural or remote areas), demographic inclusion (gender, disability or other vulnerabilities) or affordability of an essential service.

Aavishkaar - Plus
Improving ESG Practices - icon

Improving ESG Practices

Aavishkaar - Minus
Improving ESG Practices - icon

Improving ESG Practices

Improving Social and Environmental Governance (ESG) practices both within the Group companies, as well as within the enterprises we support.

Aavishkaar - Plus
Creating an Impact Ecosystem - icon

Creating an Impact Ecosystem

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Creating an Impact Ecosystem - icon

Creating an Impact Ecosystem

Building and nurturing supportive ecosystems around impact investing in Asia and Africa.

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