JPMorgan Chase invests in Brazil
JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Omidyar Network announced a $10 million (€9.3 million) combined investment in FIRST, a private equity fund focused on serving the needs of low-income and underserved populations in Brazil, in mid-March.
The fund will make investments in high-growth companies in sectors providing essential products and services to low-income households, such as education, healthcare, housing and financial services.
"This investment reinforces Brazil as a JPMorgan Chase focal point, regionally and globally," said Jose Berenguer, Senior Country Officer for Brazil, JPMorgan Chase. "Investing in businesses such as FIRST is the best way to contribute to Brazil's development and improve income distribution in our country."
The fund, which has raised $66 million (€61.4 million), brings together several leading global investors including the International Finance Corporation (IFC), German development finance institution DEG and French development finance institution PROPARCO to accelerate the growth of impact investments in Brazil, which seek to generate financial returns while making a positive social and environmental impact.
"Omidyar Network is pleased to support FIRST. It serves as a cornerstone of the growing impact investing industry in Brazil and brings with it seasoned venture capital expertise with a proven track record," said Eliza Erikson, Director, Investments at Omidyar Network.
