New York, 1 June 2023 – The Association for Private Capital Investment in Latin America (LAVCA) today announced the winners of the Ninth Annual LAVCA ESG Deal Awards to recognize outstanding investments by fund managers in the region, specifically targeting environmental, social, gender diversity and innovative initiatives.

“LAVCA is pleased to celebrate the rising significance of environmental and social outcomes in investment decisions, especially in the face of a challenging market and macroeconomic environment,” said Angela Maria Tafur, Executive Director of LAVCA. “This heightened focus on responsible investing and sustainable practices by fund managers and investors underscores the critical role of private capital in our region.”

About the 2023 Latin American Private Capital ESG Deal Award Winners:

Vinci Partners received the 2023 Private Capital Deal of the Year Award for their investment in Pro Infusion, one of the leading outsourcing companies of pharmaceutical compounding services in Brazil. Pro Infusion optimizes medicine supply, reducing waste and costs by 15-25% while serving underserved populations. Vinci Partners successfully exited the investment after 20 months with an IRR in USD of 72% and MoC of 2.4x.

IG4 Capital received the 2023 Environmental Responsibility Award for their investment in Iguá, a leading sanitation company in Brazil. Iguá provides sanitation services to over seven million people and aims to bring universal access to water and sewage treatment in the country. Their commitment revolves around modernizing water infrastructure, promoting innovative sustainability practices and driving sustainable development in Brazil.

BTG Pactual received the 2023 Social Responsibility Award for their investment in Gran Cursos Online. The platform democratizes learning through an affordable subscription-based model, serving over 620,000 students in 1,200+ cities with a diverse range of courses. Gran Cursos Online empowers individuals, especially women, black and brown students, and those from low-income areas, to enhance their lives through accessible and affordable online education.

Alive Ventures received the 2023 Gender & Diversity Award for their investment in Symplifica. Symplifica, a Colombian platform, focuses on formalizing domestic work and empowering women, who comprise 97% of its workforce. The platform ensures legal benefits and provides access to additional resources such as financial training, education and support, aiming to enhance the quality of life for domestic workers.

L Catterton received the 2023 Innovation Award for their investment in NotCo, a Chilean food tech company using AI to create diverse and eco-friendly plant-based food products with the taste and texture of traditional options. NotCo’s cutting-edge technology disrupts the food industry and has gained widespread consumer adoption across the Americas.

SoyMomo, nominated by Equitas Capital, received the 2023 Better Tech Award for their innovative children’s technology. Based in Chile and expanding globally, SoyMomo creates software and hardware that prioritize child safety, considering children’s needs and parental concerns. Their proprietary technology, including an AI algorithm for cyberbullying detection and shockproof cases, ensures a safe and secure tech experience for children.

The winners of the 2023 Latin American Private Capital Awards were selected by a distinguished panel of institutional investors from development finance institutions, insurance companies, pension funds and trusts. Additional information about the awards can be found here.

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About LAVCA

LAVCA is the Association for Private Capital Investment in Latin America, a not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to supporting the growth of private capital in Latin America and the Caribbean. LAVCA’s membership is comprised of over 200 firms, from leading global investment firms active in the region and local fund managers to family offices, global sovereign wealth funds, corporate investors and international pension plans. LAVCA’s mission – to spur regional economic growth by advancing private capital investment – is accomplished through programs of research, networking forums, education and advocacy of sound public policy. Visit www.lavca.org for more information.

Senna Bayasgalan, LAVCA
[email protected]