Conservation International Ventures

Organizational profile: Conservation International works to spotlight and secure the critical benefits that nature provides to humanity. Conservation International Ventures (CI Ventures) is an investment fund that provides loans to small- and medium-sized enterprises that operate in the forests, oceans and grasslands where Conservation International works​. Whether in sustainable agriculture or forestry, ecotourism or wild fisheries, these businesses share one thing in common — a commitment to practices that benefit ecosystems and human well-being at the same time.​ Designed to leverage scarce public and philanthropic resources, CI Ventures’ investments will emphasize projects that have the potential for greatest impact in critical landscapes and seascapes in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya, South Africa, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Financing Instrument: Loans

Project scale: Typical investment: US$200,000 to US$500,000. Typical investment duration: Up to 5 years

Recipient countries regions/country groups: CI Ventures focuses on projects in Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Kenya, South Africa, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Recipient categories: Businesses

Eligibility Criteria: CI Ventures invests in startup and growth-stage enterprises seeking financing to support investment readiness, growth capital, or novel approaches. To be eligible for financing from CI Ventures, enterprises must demonstrate:
- A viable business model
- Potential for significant, measurable environmental and social impacts (e.g., biodiversity conservation, restoration of natural resources, jobs created, etc.)
- Potential to unlock future additional investment at scale
- Strong management capacity
- Alignment with Conservation International’s mission and values

Application guidelines: CI Ventures can be contacted at civentures@conservation.org.