A problem is a chance for you
to do your best. - Duke Ellington
Through our combined expertise in impact investing, international development, investment banking and senior executive roles, we provide the necessary skillset to develop and implement impact investing practices that yield results.
Investments
We seek exceptional teams that build innovative solutions for today's and the future's social and environmental problems.
Alethina invests in early stage impact companies for its own portfolio, ideally with an MVP in place, and potential for global growth.
We are flexible in our approach and believers of tailored fit-for-purpose investment structures.
Impact strategy
We advise investors, fund managers, corporates and other impact actors to help them connect profit with purpose.
We partner with our clients to develop and execute focused investment strategies to catalyze their capital with impact.
Our services range from one-off advisory, to ongoing impact investment consulting.
Ecosystem building
We work with foundations, NGOs, public entities, and startups to build nurturing ecosystems for impact investments.
We provide training, build and run investment readiness programs, investor education and policy advise.
We particularly focus on the use of innovative impact financing structures that go beyond equity and debt.
Investment services
We work with investors on all aspects of their investments.
Through our global network we source attractive opportunities for each investors' specific criteria.
We also assist investors for defined tasks, such as deep due diligence, structuring, negotiation and execution.
We develop and implement impact measurement metrics, management and reporting systems.
Selections from our Work
Feasibility Study on a possible expansion of Impact Linked Fund for Gender and Migrant Inclusive Fintech into Colombia, Ecuador and Peru / 2023
We worked with Roots of Impact for the feasibility study on a possible expansion of ILF for GIF (Impact Linked Fund for Gender Inclusive Fintech) into Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Our contribution comprised of mapping of stakeholders (fintechs, investors, ecosystem partners) & interviews with selected stakeholders to assess ILF for GIF’s potential in the selected countries, and to identify a pipeline of partner investors and target fintechs for investment.
UNDP - SDG Pipeline Development in Iraq / 2023
Building on the UNDP SDG Investor Map for Iraq, we worked in collaboration with the UNDP Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (IICPSD) to deliver a comprehensive report with in-depth analysis of the Iraqi business ecosystem, access to finance for SMEs and startups that are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with recommendations on alternative financial structures to increase investments.
Women’s Entrepreneurship in Clean Energy Transitions: Insights from Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia - Report / 2023
Building on the previous work of the RENEW MENA, a World Bank led network focused on supporting women in the energy sector in MENA, we prepared an in-depth analysis of climate tech sector from the perspective of women’s entrepreneurship in three pilot countries (Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia). The report includes mapping of startups, ecosystem partners, investors, accelerators and incubators, assessment of current challenges faced by investors and entrepreneurs, and recommendations on innovative impact investment approaches to tackle them..
Impact Investing Capacity Building Program with Cape Town & eThekwini Municipalities - South Africa / 2023
We supported Cape Town municipality on designing outcomes based contracts. In the process, we reviewed their existing contracts, assessed the impediments to their potential success and attractiveness for private sector investors, and delivered an assessment report with recommendations.
eThekwini Municipality requested a ground up capacity building on different models of impact investing to mobilize private sector funding for its activities. We prepared a five module hybrid capacity building training program, at the end of which the participants had a deeper understanding of impact investing and how they can use it to expand their projects with new sources of investment from the private sector.
Structuring and execution of Türkiye’s first Social Impact Bond (İstanbul Kodluyor) - 2022 & 2023
For: İSTKA (İstanbul Kalkınma Ajansı - İstanbul Development Agency)
In Collaboration with: Etkiyap
Türkiye’s first social impact bond/outcomes based contract İstanbul Kodluyor was launched in August 2023. We worked with Etkiyap to structure and execute Türkiye’s first social impact bond as advisors to the outcome payer, Istanbul Development Agency (ISTKA). We advised ISTKA in the design and formation of the instrument, supported them in its negotiations with the bond’s sole investor Bridges Outcomes Partnerships.
Conference Report and Workshop Facilitation for Türkiye’s first Conference on Venture Philanthropy - 2022
In Partnership With: EYDK (National Advisory Board for Impact Investing, Türkiye)
For: We Global (funded by Republic of Türkiye, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, EU Presidency)
We contributed to the organization and facilitation of the first ever event in Türkiye focusing on civil society organization and impact investing. Following the event, we prepared the conference report, which identified opportunities and barriers to venture philanthropy, as an alternative impact investing approach for philanthropic organizations, shifting away from traditional grant giving, to more results based and sustainable funding structures. You can read the report here.
In Collaboration
We work for in collaboration with other ecosystem partners to expand impact investing in different ecosystems.
Canada-Sustainability Challenge - 2023
For: The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS)
In collaboration with Viveka
The Canada-Türkiye Sustainability Challenge connects Canadian companies with Türkiye's major holdings in CleanTech, Robotics, and Material Science. Alethina & Viveka, involved in program design, oversees startup selection and digital matchmaking, culminating in Canadian companies visiting İstanbul in late November 2023 to meet Türkiye's challenger companies.
Agrifood Investment Forum - Istanbul - 2023
For: EIT Food
In collaboration with Foodback & Impact Hub İstanbul
The Agrifood Investment Launchpad offered a one day bootcamp designed for beginners and potential investors in the field. The course built in participation from local startups in agriculture and food sectors, providing participants with an opportunity to connect with experienced investors and entrepreneurs with years of practice in startup investment. We co-designed the program with Impact Hub and Foodback.
Yased Impact Investing Capacity Building Sessions - 2023
For: YASED (Uluslararası Yatırımcılar Derneği - International Investors Association)
In collaboration with Viveka
Capacity building, training and launch of Bosnia Angel Investors Network - 2020 & 2021
For: EFSE (European Fund for Southeastern Europe)
Subcontractor for Spring Activator - In Partnership with Foundation 787
Events
Advocating for impact investing
Alethina’s expert team is a frequent contributor to local and international events on topics such as impact investing, innovative structures, transformative finance, and private sector roles in development.
Selected Engagements
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UNDP SDG Finance Academy, Trainer, Baku, Azerbaijan
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EIT Food Summit, Panelist, Impact Investing in Agrotech, Bilbao, Spain
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Techweek Istanbul, Moderator and Panelist, Status of Impact Investing in Türkiye
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Global Steering Group, Leadership Summit, Panel moderator and Presenter, Türkiye’s First Impact Bond, Istanbul, Türkiye
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Global Steering Group Impact Investing Summit, Panel moderator, Role of Impact Investing in Transition to NetZero, Malaga, Spain
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Kale Grubu İbrahim Bodur Sosyal Girişimcilik Ödülleri, Jury Member
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University of Southampton, UK, Guest Lecture on Sustainable Investing