Private equity firm Columbia Threadneedle has achieved a €50 million initial closing for its impact fund focusing on the private markets.
Castle Mount Impact Partners Launches Private Markets Impact Fund
Castle Mount Impact Partners, a new private markets impact fund, has been launched with a focus on sustainable development aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The fund, managed by Columbia Threadneedle, aims to raise a total of €200 million and has already secured over €50 million from institutional, wholesale, and high-net-worth investors primarily in the UK and Canada.
The fund's investment areas include environmental sustainability, health and wellbeing, as well as equality and inclusion. It targets companies across sectors with more than 90% of revenues expected to be SDG-aligned. The fund believes that global megatrends such as the energy transition, resource scarcity, ageing populations, digitalisation, and AI provide the most attractive investment opportunities.
In a statement, Andrew Carnwath, lead director on the fund and head of impact at Columbia Threadneedle, said, "The fund will provide access to these companies, investing alongside sector and regional mid-market specialists." The fund aims to build a portfolio of 15 to 20 lower mid-market companies predominantly in western economies.
Castle Mount Impact Partners' first investment was made into Kee Safety, a fall protection and industrial safety firm. Kee Safety's products aim to reduce workplace injuries, exemplifying the fund's commitment to addressing environmental sustainability, health and wellbeing, as well as equality and inclusion.
The fund is targeting a final close of €200m and aims to achieve a 20% net internal rate of return (IRR). It will invest in high-growth companies whose products and services are delivering human and planetary needs, not wants, and benefit from strong non-cyclical demand.
Castle Mount Impact Partners was launched in 2021 under BMO Global Asset Management, prior to its acquisition by Columbia Threadneedle. The fund's portfolio companies are expected to benefit from the fund's focus on sustainable development, addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges while delivering strong financial returns.
- Castle Mount Impact Partners, a new private markets impact fund, is focusing on sustainable development aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aiming to raise a total of €200 million.
- The fund's investment areas include environmental sustainability, health and wellbeing, as well as equality and inclusion, targeting companies across sectors with more than 90% of revenues expected to be SDG-aligned.
- The fund's first investment was made into Kee Safety, a fall protection and industrial safety firm, demonstrating its commitment to addressing environmental sustainability, health and wellbeing, as well as equality and inclusion.
- Castle Mount Impact Partners is targeting a final close of €200m and aims to achieve a 20% net internal rate of return (IRR), investing in high-growth companies whose products and services are delivering human and planetary needs, not wants, and benefit from strong non-cyclical demand.
- The fund's portfolio companies are expected to benefit from the fund's focus on sustainable development, addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges while delivering strong financial returns, suggesting a potential link between science, environmental-science, finance, business, social impact, and development finance.
