CI Ventures, LLC

2023 Impact Report

The CI Ventures team is pleased to present its 2023 Impact Report. In these past years, we have achieved notable milestones including investing US$ 15 million in impactful businesses, mobilizing US$ 160 million in follow-on and co-investments, and meeting two of our 10-year goals ahead of schedule.

 As we reflect on the past year’s accomplishments and challenges, one theme stands out: the power of partnerships in amplifying our impact and propelling us toward a future where we can collectively have an even greater influence. We invite you to read the report and be part of our journey

Previous Reports

• 2022 report — In its first five years, CI Ventures has been able to deliver a successful portfolio of more than US$ 12 million, with companies mobilizing seven times that funding in additional capital. The fund has produced its first impact report, highlighting the progress toward our goals.

African Conservancies Facility

Conservancies represent areas of land collectively owned and managed by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPs & LCs), often situated adjacent to formal protected areas and national parks. These areas play a crucial role in supporting Africa's iconic wildlife, which spends approximately 80% of its time outside protected zones. Furthermore, conservancies frequently serve as vital links connecting various protected areas, establishing wildlife corridors and dispersal zones. Just as notably, the conservancy model ensures that landowners are fairly compensated for their long-term sustainable stewardship of the land and the valuable ecosystem services it provides.

In 2020, Conservation International launched the African Conservancies Facility (ACF) as a rescue package for the critically important Maasai Mara landscape in Kenya. When the pandemic impacted the tourism industry, the loss of revenues created a devastating threat to biodiversity and people as pristine wilderness was at risk of being sold or farmed. Today, ACF plays a pivotal role in enabling both new and established conservancies to transition from relying on concessional finance to becoming commercially viable entities. ACF uniquely offers loans to conservancies, enabling them to enhance, restore, and expand conservation areas, safeguarding biodiversity while generating income for local communities. Conservancies supported by ACF showcase enhanced operational efficiency and governance, increased financial reserves, improved livelihoods for landowners, and commendable loan repayment records often ahead of schedule, reflecting the program's effectiveness in fostering sustainable conservation and community development.