We are pleased to introduce our newest impact engineers, Leslie Polster and Maggie Stohler!
Leslie brings deep startup operations and finance experience to her role as an Analyst in our back office, while Maggie rejoins Impact Engine as a Senior Associate in investor relations after five years building Higher Ground Labs and the Catholic Impact Investing Collaborative. We already love working with them and can see all the value they will create for our investors.
Impact Engine Partner Tasha Seitz was featured in a recent Financial Investment News article where she discussed the underrepresentation of women in the venture capital and private equity space and how we work to create a more equitable and purpose-driven investing environment. “Our venture portfolio has 36% women CEOs, not just founders, but actual CEOs who are calling the shots at those companies. We are deliberately focused on sourcing programs that are supporting women entrepreneurs,” she said. “We’re uniquely positioned to really influence the industry at large, particularly through getting capital to women through having more women be investment professionals through the fund manager relationships that we have and supporting them, referring candidates to them, and encouraging them to be diverse in their hiring when they bring on new professionals.”
Carbon Direct, the scientific advisory and clean future investment firm, introduced their new Carbon Direct Platform, to empower organizations with the strategy and tools to reduce their carbon footprints directly. The firm also partnered with American Express to create a new pilot program providing cardholders with the ability to learn tips to reduce their personal carbon footprints and contribute to carbon removal projects in their local communities.
Elvie, the London-based women's healthtech startup, secured an eight figure funding package from HSBC's new £250m Growth Lending program. “Brokering this long-term strategic partnership will allow us to develop more innovative products, and ultimately reach more women across the world," says Elvie CEO Sarah Highfield.
Reach Capital, a PE firm specializing in educational technology, announced the closure of its fourth and largest fund to date, at $215 million with participation from Impact Engine among many others. The firm, which has invested in over 130 edtech startups so far, has been called "one of the most diverse VC firms in the US" by Forbes.
ReUp Education, the re-enrollment solution, unveiled a major new partnership with the State of New Jersey and 17 higher education institutions to help stopped-out learners complete their college degrees. Over 750,000 of the state's residents have some college credit but have not graduated. Governor Phil Murphy says, "By investing in the statewide Some College, No Degree initiative and partnering with the right groups to implement this important program, we are helping smooth the transition for adult learners who left college – even years ago – and are now going back to complete their degrees."
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