IRIS Data Report Root Capital proudly contributed performance data for analysis in the first IRIS data report released by the Impact Reporting and Investment Standards (IRIS) initiative of the Global Impact Investing Network. IRIS is a common language for defining, tracking, and reporting the social, environmental, and financial performance of an organization. IRIS is a free public good.

Brief Overview A short summary of Root Capital’s mission, work, and impact.

“Conservation Finance in the Galápagos Islands: Capitalizing the Missing Middle” Brian Milder, Root Capital's managing director of strategy and innovation, wrote this chapter of Conservation Capital in the Americas. The chapter examines the experiences of two ecotourism enterprises in the Galápagos Islands as they assess the potential environmental and social impacts of certification in sustainable tourism. Order full book.

“From Grower to Green Market: Bridging the Rural Finance Gap” Microfinance Insights, September 2007 Root Capital was featured in the journal Microfinance Insights for its unconventional lending approach that is demonstrating the viability of rural grassroots businesses.

“Ashoka Cites Innovation of Root Capital” The prestigious “Ashoka: Innovators for the Public” Award recognizes Root Capital founder William Foote’s successful efforts to help underserved communities in the developing world.

“What Microloans Miss” This article from The New Yorker (March 17, 2008) explains why small-to medium-sized enterprise finance is important, and how it addresses the gap left by microfinance.

“United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Report” Root Capital was featured in this recently released report by the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI). This report was the result of an international workshop of experts in small and medium enterprise (SME) financing and sustainability from public, private and philanthropic investment communities, as well as Africa-based organizations working on SME financing.

Transatlantic Innovations in Affordable Capital for Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises. The Milken Institute and the German Marshall Fund of the United States highlighted Root Capital for its innovative model that "catalyzes systemic change" in its recently released report on Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) Finance.

Closing the gap: Reaching the missing middle and rural poor through value chain finance This article by Brian Milder, Root Capital's managing director of strategy and innovation, focuses on external financial institutions operating in Africa and Latin America that are using innovative approaches to value chain finance to serve both small-scale rural producers and the SMEs that link them to urban and export markets.

El Cacao Peruano en 'Prensa Libre' APPCACAO, a guild of Peruvian cacao organizations, highlighted a prize won by Tocache, one of Root Capital's clients, at the “Salon del Chocolate” in France, which took place in October 2009. The mention includes a video of a Peruvian news program that talks about the rising popularity of Peruvian cacao and how Tocache has helped its region get away from coca production.