Our commitments


Small and mid-cap companies are the main job and wealth creators in the regions. Initiative & Finance is convinced that they play a key role in contributing to the development of a more environmentally and socially sustainable society. As an SME itself and investor, I&F is fully committed to this perspective.

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SUSTAINABILITY

Incorporating environmental, social and governance criteria into our investment policy helps ensure the long-term viability and value of our portfolio companies. It allows to reduce their risk profile, seize additional growth opportunities and reinforce their strategic value.

OUR APPROACH

Initiative & Finance promotes within its investments:

  • Compliance with legal and regulatory standards;
  • Enhancement of social and environmental impacts for companies, their employees, and stakeholders;
  • Integrity in business and implementation of best governance practices.

PRE-INVESTMENT

ESG considerations are embedded in our pre-investment audit processes, which encompass:

  • A thorough ESG evaluation performed by an independent party;
  • Identification of improvement axis;
  • Early stage investigation of potential disputes or legal issues;
  • ESG-based interest rate adjustment on debt (when relevant).

POST-INVESTMENT

ESG considerations are integrated into the monitoring of our investments and include:

  • Establishment of appropriate governance structure;
  • Creation of a continuous improvment process;
  • Annual tracking of progress;
  • Support in implementing CSRD.

SPONSORSHIP

Initiative & Finance supports the NGO Entrepreneurs du Monde, which assists the most vulnerable individuals in starting businesses to overcome poverty, gain independence, and achieve self-empowerment. I&F has also sponsored the “Pitch & Give” event several times, where social projects are presented and selected.
Since 2023, I&F has been funding the setup of a new microfinance institution in Sierra Leone for at least the next three years. The institution began operations in April 2024, allowing the first beneficiaries to accelerate the development of their entrepreneurial activities.

Additionally, the TOMORROW fund team will donate a portion of its carried interest to organizations focused on ocean conservation.

 

INTERNAL
COMMITMENTS

TRAINING

I&F offers training programs for its employees on ESG topics (climate workshops and CSRD training) and technological innovation, including artificial intelligence.
Percentage of employees trained on climate in 2023: 100%.

GENDER EQUALITY

Aware that the financial sector attracts fewer female talents, I&F takes several measures to promote gender parity. I&F ensures equitable compensation between men and women. By signing the France Invest Gender Equality Charter, I&F commits to achieving 40% women in its investment teams by 2030. Percentage of women in investment teams in 2024: 32%.

Quality of work-life 

I&F is committed to enhancing the quality of life for its employees through initiatives such as: providing on-site childcare facilities (to facilitate work-life balance), offering ergonomic equipment (to prevent musculoskeletal disorders), encouraging collective participation in sports activities (to ensure physical well-being)…

Value sharing

To align the interests of labor and capital, I&F is committed to involving its employees in the company’s results. The company provides all employees with a profit-sharing bonus as well as a value-sharing bonus.

SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT COMPLIANCE

ENERGY and CLIMATE LAW REPORT

Since 2021, Initiative & Finance has published the Energy and Climate Law report annually, in which the investment firm meets the requirements of French ESG regulation.

Read the report

 

 

SUSTAINABILITY TRANSPARENCY

Initiative & Finance is subject to the Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 of November 27, 2019, concerning the disclosure of sustainability information in the financial services sector (the “Disclosure Regulation”).

Read our answers