grassroots business
partners (closed)
Prior to our formation in 2008, we operated as the International Finance Corporation’s Grassroots Business initiative. GBP spun out of IFC to begin making financial investments in for-profit companies, utilizing 100% grant funding and delivering business advisory services.
FUND LEVEL
RESULTS
PORTFOLIO COMPANY HIGHLIGHTS
PWANI FEEDS
Pwani Feeds is a Kenyan-female-founded and family-operated company, which markets animal feeds and purchases eggs at a single transaction point from over thousands of farmers, saving farmers time and money on transportation and other marketing costs.
OUR WORK:
GBF’s investment enabled the company to acquire high-quality raw materials and upgrade its fleets of trucks. GBF advisory services streamlined the company’s financial management practices, optimized operational efficiencies, and diversified business strategy leading to entrance of a main stream financier and an early exit for GBF.
IMPACT:
GONE RURAL
Gone Rural was formed in 1992 to create employment for women in rural communities across Swaziland. Gone rural embraces the spirit of social and environmental awareness, working with rural women to create Fairtrade products.
OUR WORK:
GBP’s advisory services worked closely for an extended period of time with Gone Rural’s management to develop financial forecasting tools, which allowed them to match its capital structure to its operational and financial needs.
IMPACT:
The female artisans directly earn 30%-60% of the sale price of any artisanal goods, which is quite high by international norms. Additionally, the artisans’ relationship with Gone Rural provides access to training and HIV awareness workshops.