Acumen (organization)

Acumen is an organisation that invests patient capital in markets where conventional finance has fallen short. Its stated mission is to change how the world tackles poverty, and it also runs a learning academy.

Products and services

• Patient capital: long-term investment in enterprises serving low-income communities.
• Acumen Academy: a learning programme it calls a school for social change.
• Climate and agriculture work: funds aimed at climate resilience, off-grid energy and smallholder farming.

Who it serves

Social enterprises and smallholder farmers, particularly in off-grid energy and agriculture. One investee, Kheyti, won a major environmental prize.

Key facts

• Leader: Jacqueline Novogratz
• Presence: took part in the COP27 climate conference
• Focus: poverty reduction, climate and agriculture