Several Danish, Nordic and commercial investors are now joining a growing investment circle behind Den Sociale Kapitalfond Invest. This brings the fund’s total capital to DKK 289.28 million. The foundation is now ready to speed up the work by finding companies that both take social responsibility and make money.
“We know that there is a large group of Danish companies that are doing well and at the same time taking social responsibility. We want to help them grow bigger and reward the great responsibility they take. We believe that we can make money for our investors, while at the same time creating jobs for people who, due to a physical or mental disability, for example, find it difficult to get a job,” says Lars Jannick Johansen, Managing Partner at Den Sociale Kapitalfond Invest.
Social investment is the way forward
The new investors behind the fund include Sparekassen Sjælland-Fyn, Ferd Social Entrepreneurs and Østifterne. The fact that even more investors have joined the circle gives “blood on the tooth” in relation to the work of creating better social investment opportunities. Claus Bjørn Billehøj, CEO of Den Sociale Kapitalfond, from which Den Sociale Kapitalfond Invest originates:
“We are proud that a commercially sustainable fund has now been created within the framework of Den Sociale Kapitalfond . It is a key milestone that has now been reached. The fund shows that it is sustainable to reconcile business and social goals. It only gives us the motivation to continue with more new relevant initiatives,” says Claus Bjørn Billehøj
Commercial and social investors have joined forces
Den Sociale Kapitalfond Invest is firmly founded in a number of successful Danish investors, including the Danish Growth Fund, Tryghedsgruppen, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The fund has also secured capital from the European Investment Fund (EIF). What investors have in common is that they want both a financial and a social return on their investments.
“The European Investment Fund is pleased with the launch of Den Sociale Kapitalfond Invest, which is the first social impact investment fund in Denmark. With our investment in the fund, the EIF will support a new financial player and contribute to the foundation of a social investment market in Denmark. Our agreement helps us improve access to financing opportunities for Danish social enterprises in need of growth capital,” says Chief Executive Pier Luigi Gilibert.
“We are pleased to be part of launching the first Nordic social capital fund that invests with both a financial and social return in mind. At the same time, the investment team has been able to raise a fund with a strong investor base, which bodes well for a long-term partnership,” says Rolf Kjærgaard, Investment Director at the Danish Growth Fund.
“As one of the fund’s founding investors, we are very pleased that SKF Invest has attracted more private investors to the fund. This is proof that there is confidence that the investment model is sustainable,” says Investment Manager Robert Neumann from TryghedsGruppen.
Investing in good values
Lars Petersson, CEO of Sparekassen Sjælland-Fyn, believes that it can be good business to invest in companies that are driven by making a difference:
“Our investment in Den Sociale Kapitalfond Invest will strengthen the talented local companies, make money and help socially disadvantaged people enter the labour market. Of course, we have a clear expectation that our investment will yield a reasonable return. That said, there are plenty of solid Danish companies that, in addition to running a good business, have a positive social footprint on society. This typically happens because the owner takes responsibility for the area’s socially vulnerable and gives them a chance. We want to strengthen that.”
Facts
The circle of investors includes, among others:
The European Investment Fund, the Danish Growth Fund, Tryghedsgruppen, the Novo Nordisk Foundation, Ferd Social Entrepreneurs, Sparekassen Sjælland-Fyn, the Hempel Foundation, the Færch Foundation, the Østifterne, Færch and Daughters, Den Sociale Kapitalfond, the Management Team and Senior Advisors
Senior advisors: Jeppe Christiansen, Mads Øvlisen, Peter Nørgaard, Per Agger-Nielsen
The investors have invested a total of DKK 289.28 million in the fund
Competence partners: Accura and EY are competence partners and have legal and financial and tax advisors, respectively.
Management: The fund is led by the three partners Lars Jannick Johansen (managing partner), Jeanette Hangaard Thielfoldt and Torben Agerup