Willows Investments

Willows Investments is an impact investment initiative.

Overview

Willows Investments is an impact investment initiative which Stephen Brenninkmeijer launched in 2007. It supports non listed companies and funds that use market mechanisms to address the most pressing societal challenges. WI mainly focuses on such areas as access to finance education and healthcare solutions as well as socially driven enterprises.Willows Investments was founded by Stephen Brenninkmeijer. Stephen is a member of the Brenninkmeijer family that founded the C&A clothing retail chain in 1841. Stephen s first experience with impact investing dates back to 2002 when after 27 years of working with the family business the concepts of venture philanthropy and social investing caught his attention. Having thoroughly researched the sector Stephen launched Andromeda in 2003 the first bottom of the pyramid (BoP) private equity fund. It was funded by Cofra the Brenninkmeijer family s holding company. Andromeda invested in seven businesses that ranged from social finance and microcredit platforms serving BoP markets to an innovative drug delivery and vaccination company based in Norway and a mobile telephone network in rural East Africa.