3 start-ups from 1st ESADE Social Investment Forum receive 900,000 euros in funding
Three of the five projects from the 1st edition of ESADE’s Social Investment Forum have received €900,000 in funding as a result of their participation in the event. Organised by ESADEBAN, ESADE Alumni’s investors network, the Social Investment Forum targets private investors interested in investing in social impact start-ups.
The first project, Worldcoo, is a global crowdfunding platform focused on cooperation, sustainable development and social projects that charges no commissions on donations received. Founded in 2008, eBOTlution Systems aims to bring the most innovative technology to laboratories in sectors such as the defence industry. It is currently working on the development of a collaborative robotic landmine clearance solution. Roba Amiga is dedicated to collecting, packaging and reselling textile waste items. Its mechanised industrial plant in Sant Esteve Sesrovires (Barcelona) is currently Spain’s most cost-effective textile waste processing facility.
2nd Social Investment Forum
At the 2nd edition of the Social Investment Forum, held in Barcelona, Sergi Figueres, co-founder and CEO of Worldcoo, discussed his experience raising funds during the 1st edition of the Forum from Eurosilla CEO Carles Florensa, business angel and ESADE BAN.
The companies participating in the Forum included the job portal Disjob, which was founded by an ESADE alumnus. With 70% of all online postings of disability-friendly job openings in Spain and a 75% success rate, Disjob is the country’s number-one job portal targeting people with disabilities. Also participating was JumpMath, a company created by another ESADE alumnus and incubated by Ship2B. JumpMath replicates the Canadian model of instruction through the adaptation and distribution of educational materials. Another participant incubated by Ship2B was Toys2help, an online platform where second-hand items can be donated and purchased for the benefit of social causes.
Other participating companies included RveSol, a cleantech company incubated by KIC InnoEnergy and ESADE that offers a solution for poor regions of Africa: a container/home that generates renewable energy and drinkable water and also has other applications. Coshop, a community that emerged from the Momentum Project, promotes local, independent fashion designers, minimises the environmental impact of production, and creates sustainable employment.
A utopian dream come true
Fernando Zallo, Director of ESADEBAN, commented: "ESADEBAN investors have growing concern and interest in projects that have a social impact." He added: "What seemed like a utopian dream just a few years ago is now becoming a reality. Companies in the category of "social businesses" are now being analysed as investment opportunities with measurable economic and social benefits to investors."
"For a few years now, EBAN, the European Trade Association for Business Angels – of which ESADEBAN is a member – has been saying that the impact investment sector is seeing significant growth in terms of the number of investments," explained Mr. Zallo. "This sector is made up of companies that pursue the triple objective of people, profit and planet (PPP)."
The ESADEBAN Social Impact Investment Forum provides a venue where entrepreneurs with social-impact projects can meet investors who are interested in participating in such projects and adressing the challenges that arise in various impact areas: the environment, citizen participation, education, social and occupational inclusion, access to housing, etc. Projects showcased at the Forum are seeking at least €50,000 in funding from private investors.
