INFRONT
Global Fund Manager Mentorship Program
SHARING KNOWLEDGE AND BUILDING PROSPERITY
Fund managers in emerging markets have a critical role to play in attracting capital to small and medium-sized enterprises that have a positive social impact. The INFRONT Global Fund Manager Mentorship Program supports the sector’s growth by pairing seasoned venture capital and private equity managers with high-potential fund managers in emerging markets. Through online interactions and an in-person visit, mentors contribute their expertise and insights, helping mentee funds ready themselves for institutional investment.
The program, which is managed by MaRS Centre for Impact Investing, works with funds that cover a wide spectrum of investment strategies and sector focuses.
Areas of mentorship
- Deal pipeline
- Deal structuring and valuation
- Overcoming lack of track record
- Investment pitch materials and presentations
- Completing LP due diligence
- Optimizing opportunities with institutional investors
The mentorship program is part of INFRONT (Impact Investing in Frontier Markets), an innovative public-private partnership between Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), Sarona Asset Management, MaRS Centre for Impact Investing and the Government of Canada to support sustainable development in frontier and emerging markets. INFRONT is anchored on Sarona’s $150 million fund-of-funds and also includes a sustainability innovation grant program.
Reviewing strategy and due diligence in Guatemala
INFRONT in action
CoreCo Private Equity is one of the few investment funds focused exclusively on the Central American market. While the region is rapidly growing, as an emerging market it poses challenges for investors. INFRONT mentorship helped CoreCo consider its strategy in depth and review its due diligence.
How mentorship helped Inside Capital Partners refine its North American fundraising strategy
INFRONT in action
With its young population and fast-growing economy, South-East Africa has an abundance of opportunities. Inside Capital Partners, a private equity fund with a team of locals and offices on the ground, is helping realize the region’s economic potential by investing in projects that will create good jobs in socially and environmentally responsible ventures.
Supporting clean energy investment in Nepal
INFRONT in action
INFRONT mentorship helped prepare Dolma Impact Fund to launch a fund focused on renewable energy in Nepal and other Himalayan nations. It paired the CEO of Dolma with and executive from the Advanced Energy Centre at MaRS, which has extensive experience fostering clean technologies in emerging markets.
INFRONT in numbers
15
Number of mentor-mentee matches arranged by the INFRONT program.
$500 M
Total investment target of mentee funds. The funds will invest in around 150 small and medium-sized enterprises.
25+
Countries in which mentee funds invest. They are in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
INFRONT mentorship is a great opportunity to have someone come and look at what you are doing and let you know if you could be doing something better.Alex von der Goltz, Mentee & Co-founder CoreCo Private Equity
For me, this is a fantastic program and it was extremely helpful because we selected a relevant mentor.Tim Gocher, CEO Dolma Impact Fund
Their expertise helped us create new perspectives and in some cases define strategies to act immediately for better practices.Xavier Ponce de León, Managing Partner Ideas & Capital
Questions?
If you have questions about INFRONT Global Fund Manager Mentorship Program, please contact Program Manager Melwyn Dcosta.
