Endeavor Global, a nonprofit organization based in New York City that encourages job creation in emerging markets around the world, has launched the Catalyst Fund to raise money for qualified entrepreneurs, Endeavor announced recently.
The fund will be available to high-net-worth clients of advisors on the CAIS platform.
The minimum investment is $25,000. Investors will retain their capital. They can decide to donate all returns to the Endeavor projects or to retain 20 percent of the returns and donate the remainder, says Matt Brown, co-founder and CEO of CAIS, a broker-dealer that specializes in alternative investments.
The Catalyst Fund will provide services and mentoring for entrepreneurs who have shown they can create jobs in developing markets. The goal for the fund is to raise $60 million to $100 million in the first offering, Brown says.
Endeavor has recently moved into the United States and will support entrepreneurs in Miami and Detroit. The effort will be expanded to other cities in the future, according to Joanna Rees, managing director of Endeavor Catalyst. It currently operates in 25 developing countries.
CAIS is offering the Catalyst Fund without traditional management fees and expenses.
Endeavor board members serve as volunteers to promote the impact investing movement. Among the board members is Elliot Weissbluth, CEO of HighTower, which will offer Endeavor’s Catalyst Fund through the CAIS platform.
“Catalyst is a rare financial vehicle that sponsors a charitable mission with tremendous potential for economic impact,” Weissbluth says. Entrepreneurs who receive support from Endeavor span all types of industries, including technology, agriculture, energy and consumer products.
“As the use of impact investing increases in the wealth management industry, Endeavor Catalyst offers advisors an opportunity to do well while doing good,” adds Brown.
