“There is no impact model without a business model. When you’re dealing with impact investing, they have to go together. ”
— Nimrod Gerber
Today, I’m speaking with Nimrod Gerber, Managing Partner of Vital Capital, a private equity firm that is redefining impact investing in emerging markets, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Vital Capital focuses on providing essential services such as healthcare, food production, water, and sustainable infrastructure, often through “overlooked opportunities” – greenfield projects that carry higher risks but also promise financial returns and deliver meaningful societal impact.
With over $400 million invested in equity, Vital Capital has made a significant impact, improving the lives of more than 22 million people by providing first-time access to critical resources like clean water and healthcare. Their investments have also created nearly 65,000 jobs and supported over 50,000 smallholder farmers.
In addition to Africa, Vital Capital has extended its reach to other emerging markets, including India, where they’ve focused on rural water access projects serving millions, and Latin America, bringing their expertise to diverse regions with complex challenges.
Nimrod’s journey from managing agricultural projects in Israel to becoming a leader in global impact investing spans two decades and over 28 countries. His hands-on experience enables him to navigate challenging greenfield investments that many others might pass up.
Join me as we discuss how Nimrod and his team are using their operational expertise to identify high-impact investments that are transforming lives in Africa, India, and beyond.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, YouTube Music, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform. You can watch the interview on YouTube here.
What was your favorite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know in the comments.
SCROLL BELOW FOR LINKS AND SHOW NOTES…
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
- Connect with Nimrod: LinkedIn
- Vital Capital website
- Vital Capital LinkedIn
SHOW NOTES:
[00:00] Nimrod Gerber’s background
[19:17] Early career and transition to impact investing
[29:50] Joining Vital Capital
[35:19] Vital Capital’s mission and theory of change
[47:44] Investment process and impact assessment
[01:14:52] Examples of Vital’s end-to-end investment process and results
[01:28:48] Post-investment impact assessment and key KPIs tracked
[01:32:00] Correlation between impact and financial returns
[01:34:21] Vital Capital’s unique approach to risk
[01:43:12] What sets Vital Capital apart and its key success
[01:48:32] Rapid fire questions
MORE NIMROD GERBER QUOTES FROM THE INTERVIEW:
“Vital Capital uses the power of successful, scalable businesses to create positive change by providing basic services like water, food, healthcare, and sustainable infrastructure. ”
— Nimrod Gerber
“We don’t see ourselves as managing money or investments. We are building and managing companies based on investment models we have learned and improved over time. ”
— Nimrod Gerber
