Shaping Impact Group raises €20 million to support social innovation projects
Shaping Impact Group’s third impact investment fund focuses on social innovation projects that are building a better future for people and society.
Sustainable social innovation group Shaping Impact Group announces today the October close of its third fund, with a capital of €20 million. With this impact investment fund, called the SI3 Fund, the group’s total capital under management now amounts to €47 million. The fund’s key investors include Piet Colruyt from the Colruyt supermarket chain, the sustainable family office VP Capital from the Van Puijenbroek family, Karel Cardoen from the Cardoen automotive group, Bernard Meeûs from the sustainable energy company Alco Group, and ParticipatieMaatschappij Vlaanderen (PMV).
The raised capital is invested in Belgian and Dutch companies committed to building a better future for all. The SI3 Fund aims not only to generate financial returns but also to maximize social impact.
Equal opportunity as a performance indicator
With the SI3 Fund, Shaping Impact Group seeks to contribute to a society where everyone, regardless of their background, disability, age, or socio-economic status, has equal opportunities. The fund, for instance, invests in the startup Minite and its tool HerFuture, a non-partisan recruitment platform that advocates for more women in the tech sector. The fund also supports DuckDuckGoose, an innovative solution for detecting fraudulent content, including deepfakes.
In addition to financial returns, investors can also measure the social returns of their contributions. The social impact is expected to be at least three times the value of the financial investment. Examples include addressing debt issues and supporting long-term sick individuals in rejoining the workforce.
Supporting an inclusive society
Jamy Goewie, Partner at Shaping Impact Group, emphasizes the importance of these investments: “It is crucial, especially today, to invest in a society where no one is left behind. At the same time, it’s not always easy to raise capital for these kinds of startups. That’s why we are particularly proud of the support we’ve received from both new and existing investors.”
“We are very pleased to welcome SI3 into our portfolio. SI3 aligns perfectly with our strategy of putting impact at the center of our focus, particularly when it comes to social equity, one of the world’s greatest challenges. Promoting inclusion is a key priority for SI3, and it is a focus area for us as well. What makes this investment even more meaningful is that SI3 not only focuses on social impact in Belgium and the Netherlands, but it also leverages its expertise in technology and digital solutions to create broader impact across various communities,” adds Marije Rhebergen, Director of Impact & Communications at VP Capital.
About Shaping Impact Group
Shaping Impact Group manages three impact investment funds focused on positive social innovation. These funds provide growth capital to innovative social enterprises building a better future for people and society. In addition to fund management, Shaping Impact Group’s team also provides advisory services for foundations, individuals, and companies in the fields of venture philanthropy and impact investing. Shaping Impact Group has offices in The Hague and Brussels, and is backed by an experienced team of fund managers, entrepreneurs, and financial specialists.