Awhi Fund
THE AWHI FUND IS NOW FULLY DEPLOYED AND CLOSED FOR FURTHER INVESTORS
The Awhi Fund exists to shift the market.
Being the first impact investment fund in New Zealand, we intentionally designed the fund to fit the needs and state of the New Zealand emergent impact enterprise sector. That sector is characterised by limited deal flow and relatively small “seed” stage deals.
We therefore needed a small fund which would invest with explicit impact intent, would provide strong financial returns to investors, and would facilitate angel investors and angel funds to invest alongside us. We also seek to support our portfolio companies as they need, with a particular focus on the impact models and how they are blended with their business models.
The Awhi Fund exists to change things - to shift the market. So we’ve designed it for that purpose. That means we look different - we’re far smaller, operate more nimbly, and do not have the usual costly structures that traditional funds have, simply because these things are part of what makes it harder to operate outside of market norms. And you can’t shift market norms while complying with them!
Awhi Fund Portfolio
Click on each image to learn about our portfolio companies
Aims of the Fund
Getting growth capital into early stage impact enterprises.
Supporting those enterprises to scale.
Providing an investment opportunity to leaders looking for change.
Bringing “impact discernment” and diligence to deals with other investors.
Investments in the Awhi portfolio were aligned with our criteria:
Impact enterprises with a validated market with revenue, and/or customers.
No limits on sector, but must have clear social or environmental impact.
Impact must be demonstrable and embedded into the enterprise’s business model, i.e. business model and impact model alignment, so that growth in revenue would also see a growth in impact.
Founder or team must systemically understand the nature of the problem they seek to address.
Demonstrated commitment to an impact model and measurement criteria. Measurement practice should be commensurate to the company’s stage of growth and capacity.