Sustainability Portfolio Highlights
We work with startups focused on saving the world's resources, reducing human impact on the environment, and helping people live more eco-conscious lives. These select companies from our sustainability portfolio are the pioneers for a better future, setting an example for businesses both big and small.
EXPLORE OTHER SECTORS:
Amour Vert
What they do
Founded in 2010, Amour Vert is a pioneer leading the world’s transition from fast fashion to authentic sustainable style. They make high quality, sustainable, and chic clothing for women—all at an affordable price.
Why we partnered with them
We invested in Amour Vert to support of their eco-friendly approach to fashion and contribute to changing an industry mired by the environmental impact of its production.
Results
Amour Vert ensures fair wages and treatment for workers. They also limit their carbon footprint by producing their clothing in the USA, as well as by using compostable protective bags to store and ship garments. Since its inception, Amour Vert has planted over 340k trees in North America with their “buy a tee, plant a tree” program.
Banyan Water
What they do
Founded in 2011, Banyan Water protects Earth’s most precious resource while generating untapped revenue for clients. They are the leading provider of data-driven water conservation software for the built environment. Using IoT-enabled, SaaS-based water technologies, Banyan analyzes real-time data to monitor water usage and pinpoint hidden anomalies.
Why we partnered with them
We invested in Banyan Water because of their ability to address the critical need for water conservation as worsening droughts grip the nation and cities confront strained resources, aging water infrastructures, rising water rates, and population growth. Their fast return on investment shows that entities can save money and water at the same time.
Results
Since the company’s inception, it has saved more than 4 billion gallons of water for its customers. And in 2020 alone, Banyan detected 505 irrigation leaks, saved customers $1.75 million, and increased customer asset value by $36 million.
Lux Research
What they do
Lux Research is the leading provider of subscription-based market intelligence services designed to help its global customer base drive growth through technology innovation.
Why we partnered with them
We invested in Lux Research because of our shared belief that combining deep analyses of technology with business insights is the best way to deliver independent and fact-based analyses, insights, and opinions.
Results
In 2017, Lux was acquired by Bregal Sagemount, a leading private equity firm focused on growth-oriented investments.
Numi Organic Tea
What they do
Numi was founded in Oakland, California in 1999 and has since become a pioneering, quadruple-bottom-line company (people, planet, product, profit), Numi blends premium organic teas and herbs using 100% real ingredients, allowing nature to speak for itself. They source directly from fair labor gardens that guarantee a livable wage and better opportunities for farmers and their families. They also make ecologically responsible choices in sourcing, production, and recycled and non-GMO-origin packaging.
Why we partnered with them
We invested in Numi Organic because of their mission to share the transformative, healing power of tea with the world, while supporting their leadership in and commitment to reducing the companies impact on the planet.
Results
Numi was the overall winner for the 2019 B Corp “best for the world” award. In 2017, a 44% stake in Numi was acquired by The J.M. Smucker Co. (SJM).
Plum Organics
What they do
Plum Organics was founded by parents, for parents on the belief that adventurous eating of a wide variety of flavors—early and often—helps babies choose healthy foods later in life. They became a pioneer and leading provider of premium, nutritious, certified organic and non-GMO baby, toddler, and kid food products. They are known for being the first to introduce the squeezable pouch, a convenient, lightweight, BPA-free packaging solution.
Why we partnered with them
As the first investor in Plum Organics, we helped the founders execute on their mission to ensure healthy eating from the highchair to the lunchbox™.
Results
Plum Organics revolutionized the baby food category as the first brand to offer a complete line of organic products, quickly becoming number one in organic baby and kids nutrition. As a public benefit corporation, they exist to both make a profit and serve a greater societal purpose. In 2013, they were acquired by Campbell Soup Co. (CBP).
Seventh Generation
What they do
Established in 1988, in Burlington, Vermont, Seventh Generation is a pioneer in corporate responsibility and sustainable product innovations. Today, they’re one of the leading US brands of eco-friendly household and beauty & personal care products, using renewable, non-toxic, phosphate-free, and biodegradable ingredients whenever possible.
Why we partnered with them
We were the first major institutional investor in Seventh Generation. We backed the company because we believe that it is the strongest brand in the sustainability movement and because of their authentic mission to transform the world into a healthy, sustainable, and equitable place for the next seven generations.
Results
Seventh Generation has Safer Choice certification for 29 products, and received U.S. EPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award four times. They’ve recently achieved 98% Zero Waste packaging and has a 2025 target of 100% reusable, recyclable, or biodegradable packaging materials. The company was successfully acquired by Unilever (UL) in 2017.