Smallholder farmers make up 80% of the world’s farmers and produce 1/3 of our food. Yet, most ag-tech solutions overlook their needs. In this piece, Coco Lim and Kristi Chon explore what’s needed to build ag-tech that truly works for smallholder farmers.
Acumen
Investment Management
New York, New York 102,883 followers
Solving the problems of poverty and building a world based on dignity.
About us
Acumen is solving the problems of poverty and building a world based on dignity.
- Website
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https://go.acumen.org/linkedin
External link for Acumen
- Industry
- Investment Management
- Company size
- 51-200 employees
- Headquarters
- New York, New York
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 2001
- Specialties
- non-profit, poverty, social enterprise, impact investing, development, leadership, venture capital, private equity, base of the pyramid, bottom of the pyramid, social entrepreneurship, international development, climate change, Climate Adaptation, clean energy, agriculture, and education
Locations
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Primary
40 Worth Street
Suite 303
New York, New York 10013, US
Employees at Acumen
Updates
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The Acumen team will be in Kigali next week for the Africa Food Systems Forum. We're excited to meet with partners and companies driving innovative solutions for smallholder farmers and food security. Will you be there? Let us know! #AFSForum2024 #InnovateAccelerateScale #Acumen Bowofade Elegbede | Wanji Ng'ang'a | Millycent Devinah, CFA | Brian Ondeng | Magdalena Banasiak
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India faces a dual challenge: skyrocketing energy demands and a climate crisis. However, distributed renewables present a sustainable growth solution. This piece in ImpactAlpha by Acumen India’s Director, Mahesh Yagnaraman, explores how a wave of off-grid energy startups is leading the way, delivering innovative solutions that provide clean energy and empower communities economically.
New wave of off-grid energy startups are climate-proofing India's economic future
https://impactalpha.com
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As of the end of 2023, 78% of Acumen's global portfolio met the 2X Criteria—standards that promote investment in women as entrepreneurs, leaders, employees, and consumers. But there is still more to be done. We are doubling down on our commitment to gender equity over the next decade and beyond. We look forward to driving even greater impact as active members of the 2X Global community.
🔊 Acumen is now a member of 2X Global! We're truly excited to welcome this pioneering fund to our network and to work together on advancing our shared agenda of shifting more gender-smart capital to solve the pressing issues of our time. #MemberMonday
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Most tea farmers in India work without ownership or fair wages, trapped in a cycle of poverty. Kumaon Tea is changing that narrative. By giving farmers a stake in the business, this community-led model is unlocking new pathways to prosperity and setting a blueprint for equitable tea production. Learn more about this inspiring venture and how Acumen is supporting its growth. Young Mountain Tea | Raj Vable
New Investment: Kumaon Tea reinvents the way tea gets made and sold
https://acumen.org
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We're excited to share that Acumen has joined the Smallholder and Agri-SME Finance and Investment Network (SAFIN). SAFIN shares our belief in the critical importance of accelerating access to finance for smallholder farmers and agri-SMEs, and we look forward to continued collaboration!
📣 We are thrilled to introduce Acumen to our network! Acumen is a global nonprofit with over 20 years of experience investing in transformative companies that create jobs, enhance climate resilience and uplift communities. Their Trellis initiative focuses on catalyzing commercial capital to support 1 million farmers in Africa. 📑 Learn more about their work 👉 https://lnkd.in/d54kbiVr
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We are #hiring a Program Associate in Pakistan to manage Acumen Academy's Foundry - our vibrant alumni community of social innovators seeking to solve problems of poverty and build a world based on diginity. If you have experience in community building and driving systemic change, we encourage you to apply and join our mission-driven team in Islamabad.
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Village-level sourcing models are revolutionizing agribusiness—but it’s not easy. From logistical hurdles to quality control, scaling these models is a challenge worth tackling. Find out how agribusinesses are overcoming these barriers to empower smallholder farmers and drive sustainable growth. And with Acumen’s Trellis initiative, we’re investing in these models to unlock even greater impact. Read the full story ⬇️
How village-level sourcing models help agribusinesses get to scale
https://acumen.org
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On August 6th, Acumen Pakistan hosted Acumen Climate Action for Pakistan (ACAP) Day in Islamabad, convening some of the most innovative and influential minds dedicated to addressing the climate crisis. The event highlighted the urgent need for collaboration across sectors to tackle the pressing challenges of climate change, particularly in the agriculture sector. Key moments during this event included: 🔸 Fireside chat between the Managing Director of Acumen Pakistan, Dr. Ayesha Khan and the Minister for Finance, Muhammad Aurangzeb. The conversation emphasized the pivotal role of climate finance in shaping Pakistan’s sustainable future, focusing on mobilizing resources to support climate resilience initiatives. 🔸 Insights from top regulators, including the Chairman SECP and CEO of the Pakistan Stock Exchange - PSX, on integrating climate risks into financial markets and creating incentives for sustainable investments. 🔸 Corporate leaders’ discussions: Highlighted the importance of building scalable, locally-driven solutions that enhance climate resilience across industries. 🔸 A conversation on key insights from Acumen’s upcoming report, From Apathy to Action: Building Resilience in Pakistan’s Agriculture. The report will be launched soon, so stay tuned for more details. 🔸 Panel discussions with international and local stakeholders: Explored the critical role of blended finance and public-private partnerships in accelerating climate action, ensuring that financial solutions reach the most vulnerable communities. 🔸 A compelling climate science interlude: Addressed the profound impacts of water and climate change on agriculture, underscoring the need for evidence-based policies. As we continue to forge partnerships and drive innovation, events like ACAP Day underscore the power of collective action in building a climate-resilient future for Pakistan. Thank you to our speakers, partners, and attendees for making this event a success! IFC - International Finance Corporation, UNDP, STATE LIFE. USAID | The World Bank | UNDP | IFC - International Finance Corporation | STATE LIFE | Zubyr Soomro | Senator Sherry Rehman | Akif Saeed | Shoaib Javed Hussain | Kashmala Kakakhel | Farrukh H Khan | Akmal Siddiq | Kashif Thanvi | Rashid Bajwa | Mekaeel Malik | Naz Khan | Atif Bajwa | Zubyr Soomro
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It's time we wake up to the true cost of coffee. Support our panel proposal at SXSW 2025: "Farmers pay the price for your coffee. We can change that." This discussion features speakers Tyler Youngblood and Virgilio Barco, with Sabrina Lee Sanchez as moderator, uncovering the hidden costs in the coffee supply chain. 💱 Understand the true cost of coffee and why farmers often lose money on this profitable commodity. 🌎 Explore how solutions like the Sustainable Coffee Buyer's Guide can revolutionize supply chains across industries. ✊ Discover actionable steps consumers can take to be part of the solution for a more equitable coffee industry. Your vote can significantly impact the selection process. Here's how you can contribute: Visit https://lnkd.in/enzzGcsR before August 18. Sign in or create an account Cast your vote in support Thank you for supporting our efforts to spotlight fair trade coffee solutions at SXSW 2025.
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