Zebras and Company secures equity backing alongside planned lending fund
The Japanese impact-investment business signs a combined first close for company equity and fund commitments, with separate allocations undisclosed.
Zebras and Company has signed investment agreements for a first close of approximately ¥500 million across two parts of its financing plan: equity in the company and commitments to a new lending fund. The release did not disclose how much went to each.
HOXIN, Iwami Ginzan Lifestyle Culture Institute, the business behind Gungendo, and Just Be Capital are identified as company equity investors. Separately, named fund backers include Seibu Shinkin Bank, Chugin Infinity Fund 3, TAKAGI Partners and Mio and Company.
The company plans to strengthen its support for businesses that combine social value with sustainable operations. Its new lending approach will use Zebra Lens, an assessment framework intended to consider relationships and social value alongside conventional financial information.
Zebras and Company is targeting ¥2.3 billion across the company and fund financing programme. That is a target rather than an amount already closed. The company plans to announce the fund’s name and further details on 18 November.
Use of funds
Strengthen investment and management support for zebra businesses
Develop company assessment framework and financing ecosystem