New insights on gender-smart investing in the circular economy

We are proud to be recognized in this great guide on gender-smart investing in the circular economy. We couldn't agree more that ‘waste management solutions have the potential to respond to the needs of diverse communities, including women’.

Gender-smart investing (GSI), also referred to as gender lens investing (GLI), is an investment strategy that seeks to intentionally and measurably use capital to address gender disparities between women and men, and to better inform investment decisions. The guide provides investors with a practical set of tools and best practices to integrate a gender lens while investing in the waste management and recycling sector.

While we've got a way to go still, we're proud to have built a sizeable circular economy portfolio almost reaching gender parity. The guide highlights that ‘approximately 50% of BESTSELLER Foundation’s [circular economy] portfolio has a female founder. The Foundation has built a portfolio that is aligned with its priorities of pursuing gender equality in the workforce, in management, in ownership, and in collaboration with indirect workers such as waste pickers, etc. Although recognised as a journey, the foundation seeks to work with teams and founders with a similar “intentionality”.’ That's not just due to good intentions though - we're lucky to be part of an ecosystem of accelerators, funds, ventures, experts, etc. that increasingly operate with a gender lens.

Thanks again SAGANA, Circulate Capital, and Catalyst at Large, and congrats on a very inspiring read!

Link to the guide here