LAVCA | The Association for Private Capital Investment in Latin America
  • About
    • About LAVCA
    • Board, Team, & Advisors
    • Media
    • Contact
  • Members
    • Membership Benefits
    • Current Members
    • Member Access
  • Education & Programs
    • About
    • LAVCA Week
    • Calendar & Past Programs
    • LAVCA Education
  • Research & Directories
    • LAVCA Research
    • Industry data
    • LP Survey
    • Directories
  • ESG & Impact
    • Deal Book
    • LAVCA ESG Deal Awards
    • Impact Report
    • ESG Guidelines
  • Articles
    • Featured Articles
    • Industry News
  • VC
  • Member Login
  • Member Access

LAVCA | The Association for Private Capital Investment in Latin America

A non-profit member organization

  • About
    • About LAVCA
    • Board, Team, & Advisors
    • Media
    • Contact
  • Members
    • Membership Benefits
    • Current Members
    • Member Access
  • Education & Programs
    • About
    • LAVCA Week
    • Calendar & Past Programs
    • LAVCA Education
  • Research & Directories
    • LAVCA Research
    • Industry data
    • LP Survey
    • Directories
  • ESG & Impact
    • Deal Book
    • LAVCA ESG Deal Awards
    • Impact Report
    • ESG Guidelines
  • Articles
    • Featured Articles
    • Industry News
  • VC

Leopard Capital Launches Leopard Haiti Fund to Invest in Haiti’s Private Sector

July 16, 2012

(Leopard Capital) July 16, 2012 – Leopard Capital is pleased to announce the successful initial closing of Leopard Haiti Fund (LHF). LHF is the world’s first private equity fund to operate and focus exclusively on Haiti since the 2010 earthquake.

The fund seeks to raise USD 40 to 75 million to invest in businesses in Haiti. The first USD 20 million of this target has now been committed by three international development banks:

  • $8.5 million by International Finance Corporation (IFC);
  • $8.5 million by Netherlands Development Finance Company (FMO), through MASSIF, a dedicated fund for SME development that FMO manages for the Dutch State;
  • $3.0 million from the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), member of the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) Group.

Leopard Capital will now commence LHF’s investment activities while continuing to approach investors globally and locally to increase the size of the fund. Leopard Capital is concurrently raising a donor-funded technical assistance facility to finance capacity development initiatives within LHF’s portfolio companies.

LHF aims to gain long-term capital appreciation through investing in a diversified portfolio of private enterprises in Haiti. The Fund seeks commercial investments with the potential to provide positive economic and social impact.

The Fund will invest risk capital (through equity or quasi-equity instruments) into four priority sectors: 1) Food Processing, 2) Tourism, 3) Affordable Housing and 4) Renewable Energy. It may also selectively invest in other sectors. The majority of the Fund’s investments will focus on expanding existing businesses, including recapitalizing and rebuilding businesses damaged in the 2010 Earthquake. Some of the Fund’s investments will be in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and/or start-up ventures.

In addition to financing LHF will provide its portfolio companies with operational support to professionalize their businesses by strengthening management capacity, worker skills, financial reporting, corporate governance, and social responsibility policies.

To manage the Fund, Leopard Capital has established an investment team comprised of Haitians, expatriate residents, and returning members of the Haitian Diaspora who have acquired skills abroad. The team combines experience in Private Equity, Investment Banking, Operations, Regulatory Compliance and Law. The team will be based in Port-au-Prince. The local investment team will be backed by Leopard Capital’s global team which has successfully invested in other frontier economies such as Cambodia and Laos.

Douglas Clayton, Leopard Capital’s CEO, commented: “We are pleased to launch Haiti’s first investment fund with the strong backing of three leading development banks. As investors we see attractive opportunities in helping Haitian businesses grow, while strengthening the country’s economic future. Leopard Haiti Fund’s success can show the world that Haiti is open for business.”

Ary Naim, IFC’s Country Head for Haiti commented: “IFC is already actively involved in Haiti in large project financing, and in the debt financing of SMEs through our banking partners. Leopard Haiti Fund will now channel much needed capital and improved governance to small and mid-sized firms with high growth potential, and they are many in Haiti.”

Jurgen Rigterink, FMO’s Chief Investment Officer commented: “After bringing energy to Haiti through the E-Power project, FMO will now bring growth capital to Haiti’s SMEs in order to increase economic activity, while adhering to the highest environmental and social standards. The resulting job creation will empower the Haitians to take their destiny in their own hands.”

Susana García-Robles, Principal Investment Officer of the Multilateral Investment Fund’s Early Stage Financing Group, commented, “Access to finance is one of the most pressing needs for small and medium enterprises in Haiti. This fund, the first of its kind in Haiti, will bring vital private funding to a growing market of local companies. It is an important contribution to the development of the country’s economy.”

ABOUT LEOPARD CAPITAL
Leopard Capital L.P. is an investment manager specializing in frontier markets. The Group was founded in 2007 by Douglas Clayton as an independent partnership of senior investment professionals. In 2008 Leopard Capital launched Leopard Cambodia Fund as Cambodia’s first private equity fund. This Fund has since made 12 investments and achieved three exits. Sectors invested include banking, microfinance, hydropower, electricity transmission, telecommunications, beverage production, and seafood processing. In 2012 Leopard Capital launched Leopard Asia Frontier Fund to invest in listed securities in 12 low income Asian countries. Leopard Haiti Fund is now the Group’s third fund. Leopard Capital LP is domiciled in the Cayman Islands and has presences in Hong Kong, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Haiti. Leopard Capital (Hong Kong) Ltd. is licensed by the Hong Kong Securities & Futures Commission for asset management and securities advisory services.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CORPORATION (IFC)
IFC, a member of the World Bank group, is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in developing countries. We create opportunity for people to escape poverty and improve their lives. We help developing countries achieve sustainable growth by financing investment, providing advisory services to businesses and governments, and mobilizing capital in the international financial markets. In fiscal 2011, amid economic uncertainty across the globe, we helped our clients create jobs, strengthen environmental performance, and contribute to their local communities—all while driving our investments to an all-time high of nearly $19 billion.

ABOUT THE NETHERLANDS DEVELOPMENT FINANCE COMPANY (FMO)
FMO is the bilateral private sector development bank of the Netherlands. It invests in the private sector, which can serve as an engine of sustainable growth in developing markets. To this end, it provides capital, knowledge and partnerships to ambitious entrepreneurs. With an investment portfolio of € 5.9 billion, FMO is one of the largest bilateral private sector development banks worldwide. Its focus is on three sectors which create a high development impact: financial institutions, energy and agribusiness, food & water. This focus enables FMO to offer tailor-made finance solutions, based on real expertise. In other sectors, it teams up with renowned partners to combine local networks, knowledge and experience. FMO believes that its approach will lead to lasting economic and social development, which will empower people to employ their skills and improve their quality of life.

Leopard Capital Launches Leopard Haiti Fund to Invest in Haiti’s Private Sector was last modified: July 17th, 2012 by Editor
Funds
0
Facebook Twitter Google +

Sign up for LAVCA’s bi-weekly Latin American Private Capital Update and the LatAm Venture Bulletin, produced specifically for venture investors, entrepreneurs, and technology startups in the early stage ecosystem.






Which LAVCA Newsletter would you like to receive?

VC Partner Events

    Tweets

    • #LAVCAData for Q1 2022 recorded a total investment of USD2.8b across 190 transactions in Latin America. Compared to… https://t.co/AZRsVwOcbn

      19-May-2022

      Reply Retweet Favorite
    • LAVCA's Associate Director of Research Emanuel Hernandez and Executive Director @naitafur explain trends in regiona… https://t.co/jMIUJfa6KZ

      16-May-2022

      Reply Retweet Favorite
    • Today's top takeaways from the #LatAmVentureBulletin: https://t.co/TdVT3WZ6YT

      12-May-2022

      Reply Retweet Favorite
    • Despite the political challenges in Latin America, LAVCA's Executive Director @naitafur, highlights that the privat… https://t.co/DiI1dGwFGr

      10-May-2022

      Reply Retweet Favorite
    • Notable USD100m+ rounds from LAVCA's Q1 2022 Preliminary Data include: @KeoWorld led by @HayfinCapital, @timeneon l… https://t.co/58wUihIowm

      05-May-2022

      Reply Retweet Favorite

    Submit VC News

    Have private equity or venture capital related news that you would like to share? Submit your press releases and news to [email protected].

    VC Industry News

    • Vinci Partners Acquires USD20m Stake in Brazilian Credit Provider DMCard

      February 21, 2022
    • 8VC Leads ~USD35.4m Round for Brazilian Insurtech 180 Seguros (em português)

      February 2, 2022
    • Glade Brook Capital Leads USD125m Series C for Chilean Insurtech Betterfly

      February 2, 2022
    • SP Ventures and Acre.VC Lead USD10m Series A for Brazilian Carbon Trading Marketplace Moss (em português)

      January 31, 2022
    • Brazilian Healthtech Nilo Saúde Raises USD10m Series A from Canary, MAYA, SoftBank, GFC and Tau Ventures

      January 28, 2022
    • Valor Capital Group Leads ~USD16m Series A for Brazilian Agtech Agrolend (em português)

      January 23, 2022
    • DILA Capital and Kayyak Ventures Lead USD15m Series A for Mexican Financing Platform Fairplay

      January 18, 2022
    • Astella Investimentos Leads ~USD4.6m Seed Round for Brazilian Blockchain Trading Platform Gavea (em português)

      January 12, 2022
    • SoftBank Leads USD48m Series B for Colombian E-commerce Laika

      January 12, 2022
    • KASZEK Leads USD13.2m Round for Mexican Fantasy Sports Platform Draftea

      January 7, 2022
    • IDC Ventures Leads ~USD5m Series A for Brazilian Microcredit Platform SuperSim (em português)

      January 6, 2022
    • Mexican Verification Platform MetaMap Raises USD70m Series B

      January 5, 2022
    • DRADS Capital Leads USD7m Pre-Series A for Chilean Foodtech The Live Green Co. (en español)

      January 3, 2022
    • SoftBank Leads USD127m Round for Brazilian Healthcare Provider Alice

      December 21, 2021
    • DILA Capital and ALIVE Ventures Lead USD14m Series A for Edtech Slang

      December 20, 2021
    • Astella Investimentos and SoftBank Lead ~USD3m Seed Round for Brazilian Automation Platform BotCity (em português)

      December 20, 2021
    • GIC Leads USD80m Round for Colombian POS Lending Platform ADDI (em português)

      December 20, 2021
    • Yara Growth Ventures Leads USD30m Series C for Argentine Agtech Agrofy (em português)

      December 16, 2021
    • Tiger Global Leads USD60m Series B for Mexican Freight Platform Nowports

      December 16, 2021
    • SoftBank Leads ~USD120m Round for Brazilian Fintech OpenCo (em português)

      December 15, 2021
    • DN Capital Leads ~USD22.2m Series A+ for Brazilian Healthtech Sami

      December 14, 2021
    • Riverwood Capital Leads ~USD52m Series B for Brazilian Fiscal Management Platform Arquivei (em português)

      December 14, 2021
    • KASZEK Leads USD2.7m Seed Round for Peruvian Edtech Crack the Code

      December 13, 2021
    • GIC Leads ~USD32m Series C for Brazilian Delivery Platform Shopper (em português)

      December 13, 2021
    • Tiger Global Leads USD20.5m Round for Mexican Freight Platform Nuvocargo

      December 10, 2021
    • Advent International and SoftBank Lead USD60m Series B+ in E-Commerce Aggregator Merama

      December 9, 2021
    • Volpe Capital Leads ~USD5m Series A for Brazilian Corporate Governance Platform Atlas Governance

      December 8, 2021
    • Lachy Groom Leads USD14.8m Series A for Brazilian Fintech Stark Bank (em português)

      December 8, 2021
    • Prosus Ventures Leads USD60m Series B for Colombian Edtech Platzi

      December 6, 2021
    • KASZEK Leads USD10m Series A for Brazilian Workspace Marketplace Beer or Coffee (em português)

      November 30, 2021
    • Galapagos Capital Invests ~USD20m in Brazilian Cosmetics MedBeauty (em português)

      November 18, 2021
    • Oak HC Leads USD27m Series A for Mexican Payment Platform Aplazo

      November 15, 2021
    • Colombian E-commerce Fulfillment Platform Melonn Raises USD4.5 Seed Round

      November 3, 2021
    • DNA Capital, Temasek and Fit Participações Lead ~USD20m Round for Brazilian Healthtech Memed

      November 1, 2021
    • Astella Investimentos Leads ~USD5m Round for Brazilian Proptech Homelend (em português)

      October 28, 2021
    • KASZEK Leads USD8m Round for Brazilian Car Documentation Platform Gringo

      October 27, 2021
    • SoftBank Leads USD75m Series C for Brazilian BPO Platform Pipefy

      October 26, 2021
    • Mexican Delivery Platform Skydropx Raised USD20m Seres A from Cometa, Base10 Partners, 645 Ventures

      October 26, 2021
    • Brazilian Car Insurtech Justos Raises ~USD35.8m Series A from SoftBank, KASZEK and Others

      October 25, 2021
    • Andreessen Horowitz and Base Partners Lead USD15m Series A for Colombian Foodtech Foodology

      October 22, 2021
    • Unbox Capital Leads USD30m Series B for Brazilian Marketing Platform Rock Content (em português)

      October 22, 2021
    • L Catterton Leads Investment in Mexican DTC Eyewear Brand Ben & Frank

      October 21, 2021
    • Anthos Capital Leads USD18m Series A for Venezuelan Delivery Platform Yummy

      October 21, 2021
    • Flourish Ventures and GFC Lead USD10m Series A for Brazilian Wholesale Marketplace Merce do Bairro

      October 21, 2021
    • Tiger Global Leads USD35m Series A for Argentine Fintech Pomelo

      October 21, 2021
    • Brazilian Wholesale Marketplace Inventa Raises ~USD6m Seed Round (em português)

      October 20, 2021
    • QED Investors and KASZEK Lead USD40m Series C for Brazilian Fintech Hash

      October 20, 2021
    • SoftBank, Amazon and Accel Lead USD108m Series B for Brazilian Fintech Pismo (en español)

      October 19, 2021
    • SP Ventures and Astella Investimentos Lead USD17m Series A for Brazilian Fintech Traive (em português)

      October 18, 2021
    • Tencent and SoftBank Lead USD200m Series F for Brazilian Trucking Marketplace CargoX (em português)

      October 15, 2021
    • Valor Capital Group Leads USD22m Series A for Mexican Edtech Aprende Institute

      October 11, 2021
    • Square Capital and Hard Yaka Invest USD15m in Colombian Digital Payments Platform Movii (en español)

      October 6, 2021
    • Atlantico Leads USD6m Series A for Brazilian Wholesale Marketplace ZAX

      October 5, 2021

    About LAVCA

     

    LAVCA is the Association for Private Capital Investment in Latin America, a not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to supporting the growth of private capital in Latin America and the Caribbean through research, education, networking and advocacy.

    LAVCA Office

        New York City:
        589 8th Ave, 18th Floor
        New York, NY 10018

    Explore LAVCA.org

    • About LAVCA
    • Board, Team, & Advisors
    • Media
    • Contact Us
    • Membership Benefits
    • Members Only Access
    • Education and Programs
    • Research
    • Policy
    • LAVCA VC
    • Contact Us

    @2020 - LAVCA. All Rights Reserved.


    Back To Top