Soros Economic Development Fund

Overview

The Soros Economic Development Fund (SEDF) is the impact investment arm of the Open Society Foundations, established in 1997. It deploys patient, risk-tolerant, and catalytic capital to advance the mission of sustaining vibrant and inclusive democracies worldwide. SEDF has committed over $550 million in debt, equity, and guarantees to businesses, funds, platforms, and nonprofits across various geographies and sectors. As of January 2024, SEDF has deployed over $400 million, investing in fragile, frontier, and emerging market countries, with 92% of its investments in such regions. The fund has invested in 60+ countries, including the United States, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Ethiopia, Colombia, Slovakia, Nigeria, the Philippines, India, Ghana, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Guatemala, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kosovo, Moldova, Serbia, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. SEDF's investment strategy focuses on sectors that align with the Open Society Foundations' mission, including climate action, independent media, human rights, and economic and financial inclusion. The fund supports companies and initiatives that promote global-south-led green and inclusive growth, foster independent media, and advance justice and human rights. SEDF's investments range from $1 million to $100 million, demonstrating significant flexibility in designing creative financing instruments to meet the needs of its investees. Through its investments, SEDF aims to support direct, measurable impact and longer-term systemic change, such as positively influencing the behavior or practices of public and private sector actors, shaping policy, or strengthening local market infrastructure. The fund works closely with external partners across the nonprofit, public, and private sectors to strengthen individual investments and support the Open Society Foundations' larger mission and vision. Notable investments include Hewatele, a medical oxygen producer in Kenya, supporting the building of a liquid oxygen manufacturing facility and regional distribution capacity, and the Kiva Refugee Investment Fund, which provides microfinance loans to refugees in Uganda.

Investment Focus

• Alignment with Open Society Foundations' mission
• Focus on sectors like climate action, independent media, human rights, economic and financial inclusion
• Potential for direct, measurable impact and longer-term systemic change

Portfolio Companies