Invest in high-potential entrepreneurs!

True value…investing for joint value creation

About Truvalu
Truvalu invests in and does business with companies in the agrifood sector. This is of strategic importance due to the increasing demand for food, both regionally and internationally! Through a self-developed co-entrepreneurship approach, Truvalu currently participates in approximately 40 companies in various emerging economies.

Through local teams Truvalu provides capital to local companies and support those in strategy, finance, marketing & sales and other business activities. In addition, Truvalu links Dutch technology (for example in the field of horticulture) to companies and can support entry into the European market.

Growth ambition
Truvalu operates in Asia, East Africa and Latin America. From the 40 invested companies, Truvalu has created a decent investment portfolio of its 14 best companies representing an economic value of €1.4 million. The ambition is to grow further with these companies and add at least 10 more companies in the focus countries Kenya, Uganda, Colombia and Bangladesh. To this end, a new capital round has been opened and new private investors have been attracted in 2021 and 2022 through Truvalu’s own network and through MissionInvest’s network.

Impact
Companies in which Truvalu invests play an important role in developing the local economy and improving the living conditions of local farmers. Jobs are created, incomes rise and people get better opportunities. Being a farmer regains perspective and is therefore a good alternative to migration to the large cities. Farmers again become role models for the younger generation.

As of 2018, more than 29.000 farmers have already benefited from investments Truvalu has made in the various local farms over the past few years! And in addition, a total of 3.960 jobs have been created or sustainably maintained as of 2018. That’s a true impact for the local economy especially in the agribusiness sector!

‘The collaboration with Truvalu has grown over time to a level where Truvalu offers support in finance and strategic advice, which are of crucial importance. The effect of this collaboration is phenomenal considering the transformation of our business model and the growth of GrowPact.’ – Joshua Mugendi Njiru, Director GrowPact Kitale

Funding 
In the period 2021-2022, long-term investors were attracted (patient capital; 7-9 years) to realize Truvalu’s growth ambition. In order to strengthen existing 14 companies and add new promising companies to the portfolio, the objective was to collectively raise € 2.8M investment capital. Of this, € 2.4M was realized: 50% by Truvalu itself and 50% by MissionInvest. From an impact point of view, this €1.2M through MissionInvest means a better income for 4.300 farmers year after year and in addition 400 jobs created or  sustainably maintained!

It is great to see the commitment of the investors in this amazing project and even better in realizing this wonderful mission. Because there are still many opportunities in further expanding Truvalu’s portfolio, another round will open from the beginning of 2023! For this, see the portfolio on our website with ‘projects to be financed’.