Dedicated Investing and Global Health Professional Brings Over 20 years of Experience to Lead FINCA International’s Impact Investing Initiative

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 3, 2021 – FINCA Ventures, an impact investing initiative of FINCA International, announced Omer Imtiazuddin as Managing Director to lead the organization’s investment pipeline, strategy, and fundraising efforts. In this role, Imtiazuddin will be developing and investing in a portfolio of innovative, high-impact social enterprises, partnering with FINCA Impact Finance, their global network of 20 banks and microfinance institutions (MFIs), and FINCA Forward, an innovation platform for early stage FinTech companies.

“We are fortunate to welcome Omer’s passion, expertise, and aligned vision to FINCA Ventures. As we continue the development of our innovative, social enterprise portfolio, Omer brings vast experience building new verticals and maximizing resources to make a difference for those who need it most,” said Rupert Scofield, President and CEO, FINCA International.

An expert in impact investing, innovative finance, and global health, Imtiazuddin has proven success in leading investment strategies that deliver both social impact and financial returns. He brings over two decades of experience working in commercial finance, impact investing and global development. He has worked at Morgan Stanley, Acumen, as well as development agencies such as Grand Challenges Canada, where he served as chair of the investment committee, and USAID, where he led innovative finance for global health. Imtiazuddin is a well-respected thought leader in the industry and has advised on many global health and impact investing task forces in addition to lecturing at leading business schools.

“Having worked in the impact investing space for over 15 years, I am very excited to apply my knowledge and experience to help develop and scale FINCA Venture’s portfolio of high impact and financially successful companies providing essential goods and services,” said Mr. Imtiazuddin.

Imtiazuddin will oversee FINCA’s venture fund, strategically investing capital in early-stage social enterprises focusing on health, agriculture and resilience, while utilizing a gender-lens focus.

“The COVID-19 crisis has further illustrated the many socioeconomic challenges that we face as a global community and the imperative need to respond to those challenges. I am thrilled to join a true impact-first fund that is eager not only to bring innovation to emerging markets, but a willingness to innovate within our own industry to better serve these communities and generate sustainable returns,” added Mr. Imtiazuddin. “I look forward to utilizing FINCA’s capital and unique network to invest in high-impact, sustainable companies around the world.”

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For additional information or interview requests, please contact:

RJ Cheremond
Communications Manager, FINCA International
[email protected]
+1 (202) 682-1510

 

About FINCA Ventures
FINCA Ventures is an impact investing initiative of FINCA International which builds on over 35 years of experience creating a global microfinance network that delivers financial access at scale. We know the challenges of building an enterprise in the world’s emerging markets and provide patient capital to innovative, high-impact social enterprises that spark household and MSME labor productivity. Our team actively partners with entrepreneurs who create solutions that meaningfully grow income and social resilience for families and small businesses.

About FINCA International
FINCA International was founded in 1984 on a radical notion: giving small loans to the poor has the power to transform entire communities in a sustainable way. After impacting tens of millions of lives with responsible financial services, we are widening our focus to catalyze further economic growth and alleviate poverty in underserved markets around the world. We remain boldly committed to market-based solutions and are supporting the rise of social enterprises delivering basic service and financial innovation to help low-income families and communities achieve a better standard of living. For more information, visit www.FINCA.org or follow us on Twitter @FINCA.