Inside a $5 Billion Mission: How Private Debt & Equity Are Transforming Emerging Markets | Rochus Mommartz, responsAbility (#058)

SRI360 | Socially Responsible Investing, ESG, Impact Investing, Sustainable Investing

Welcome back to the second part of the interview with Rochus Mommartz, the visionary CEO of responsAbility and a true impact warrior.

With his specialized impact asset management house, Rochus is on a mission to create accessible opportunities for all, focusing on sectors that touch on the core needs of underserved populations – sustainable agriculture, climate finance, and financial inclusion.

Today, responsAbility manages $5 billion in assets, directing its investments into the private markets of emerging economies where traditional financial services are either nonexistent or insufficient. Its portfolio covers more than 70 countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.

In this episode, we dive deeper into responsAbility's investment strategy, which channels over 95% of its assets into private debt and private equity.

In its mission, responsAbility prioritizes impactful outcomes. But achieving attractive financial returns remains equally important. With this dual focus, they meet investor expectations and continue to generate growth and positive impacts in the sectors they serve.

Join us as Rochus explains responsAbility's investment process, the impact measurement techniques they employ, and the operational challenges they face in diverse and complex markets.

Tune in to learn more about how strategic private market investments can drive significant social and economic progress worldwide, while also delivering strong financial returns.

—
About the SRI 360° Podcast: The SRI 360° Podcast is focused exclusively on sustainable & responsible investing. In each episode, I interview a world-class investor who is an accomplished practitioner from all asset classes. In my interviews, I cover everything from their early personal journeys to insights into how they developed and executed their investment strategies and what challenges they face today. Each episode is a chance to go way below the surface with these impressive people and gain additional insights and useful lessons from professional investors.
—

Connect with SRI360°:
Sign up for the free weekly email update
Visit the SRI360° PODCAST
Visit the SRI360° WEBSITE
Follow SRI360° on X
Follow SRI360° on FACEBOOK

—
Key Takeaways:
ResponsAbility – overview and mission (00:00)
Private market focus (debt and equity) (06:02)
15+ thematic funds impacting 70+ countries (11:47)
M&G acquisition (18:12)
Investment process and criteria (22:22)
Three-layer approach: ESG assessment, impact assessment, technical assistance (34:46)
Tracking impact post-investment (49:13)
Decreasing impact as a success factor (54:16)
Managing risk when companies don't achieve expected impact (57:28)
Correlation between impact and financial returns (58:34)
The risks in financial sector development (01:05:00)
Rapid fire questions (01:14:01)
How to connect with Rochus (01:25:02)

—
Additional Resources:

ResponsAbility Website
ResponsAbility LinkedIn
Rochus Mommartz LinkedIn