2 min read
On this episode of Investor Connect, Hall welcomes Ander Iruretagoyena, the Senior Associate at Impact Engine.
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Impact Engine is a women-owned and led venture capital and private equity firm investing in companies driving positive impact in education, economic empowerment, health, and environmental sustainability.
Impact Engine was launched in 2012 as an accelerator fund with the goal of identifying promising entrepreneurs starting businesses with the potential to drive both attractive financial returns and positive social impact. Impact Engine raised two subsequent accelerator funds in 2013 and 2014, all focused on investing in pre-seed stage companies. Across the three accelerator funds, Impact Engine invested in a portfolio of 23 companies. Between 2015 and 2016, Impact Engine shifted its investment strategy and raised a $10 million venture fund which invested in 22 companies. Between 2018 and 2019, they began operating as a public benefit corporation, raised a $25M second venture fund, and raised a $31.5M first PE fund, allowing them to invest in impact funds for the first time.
Impact Engine’s investors include institutions, family offices, foundations, and individuals who believe in investing for both financial return as well as social impact. They are also committed to cultivating community among their investors. Their goal is to help their investors learn from each other and leading-edge impact investors who deploy capital across asset classes and geographies.
Prior to joining Impact Engine, Ander was an investment banking associate at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, working with Latin American corporations. During these years, Ander worked on a total of 17 transactions for $10.7B across 4 products, 9 industries, and 6 geographies. Ander also previously worked on financial inclusion strategies at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Ander holds a BA in Economics as well as Latin American Studies from the University of Chicago and earned his MBA degree from the Chicago Booth School of Business. Ander is originally from Mexico and loves FC Barcelona.
Ander shares what excites him now and discusses the state of impact investing, how he sees the industry evolving, the challenges investors and startups face, and more.
You can visit Impact Engine at www.theimpactengine.com/, via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/theimpactengine/, and via Twitter at www.twitter.com/TheImpactEngine.
Ander can be contacted via email at ander@theimpactengine.com, and via LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/ander-iruretagoyena/.
If you would like to read the full transcript click here or listen to the interview click here.
Hall T. Martin is the founder and CEO of the TEN Capital Network. TEN Capital has been connecting startups with investors for over ten years. You can connect with Hall about fundraising, business growth, and emerging technologies via LinkedIn or email: hallmartin@tencapital.group
