Gutmann OeEB Impact Fund takes on new investors

Developing and emerging countries are facing major challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and need capital more than ever. It is all the more important that this capital is invested responsibly. Creating positive impact is also the overarching goal of the Gutmann OeEB Impact Fund, which invests in funds with a focus on small and medium-sized companies and financial inclusion in order to sustainably improve living conditions for people in developing and emerging countries.

The fund was launched by OeEB and Bank Gutmann in December 2019 with the first capital commitments and has now taken on new investors. Around EUR 44 million in private funds have been mobilized thus far. "Especially in stormy market phases, it is important not to lose sight of the long-term goal and to invest capital sustainably and responsibly. We are pleased that many investors share this goal", said Hannes Manndorff, Managing Director of OeEB's equity department. The fund is expected to take on additional investors until the end of this year.

Access to financial products through new technologies

In December 2019, the Gutmann OeEB Impact Fund signed its first investment in the Accion Quona Inclusion Fund. The fund's focus is on providing early and growth capital to innovative financial technology companies that provide access to financial products for underserved people in Latin America, Africa and Southeast Asia. In 2019, the portfolio companies reached more than 970,000 customers and over 23,000 - mainly small and medium-sized - companies.