Investor pressure drives regional venture funds to sustainability deals
ESG investments not necessarily less profitable; Bain says from 2014-18, median return for ESG-related deals in Asia-Pac beat those in other sectors
Singapore
SOUTH-EAST Asia's venture capital (VC) firms are increasingly burnishing their sustainability credentials to meet heightened demand from their investors.
In 2018, management consultancy Bain & Co asked 136 private equity and VC firms to describe the trend of increased efforts on sustainability in South-east Asia, and pressure from limited partners (LPs) was the most-cited reason. Reducing reputational risk and consistency with the firm's values came close behind.
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