ODF Secures EUR 10 Million Loan from Invest International to Boost Organic Agriculture in Emerging Markets

ODF signing2_edited (resize)

Amsterdam November 19, 2024 — Organic Development Finance (ODF) is pleased to announce its first EUR 10 million senior loan agreement with prominent Dutch investor Invest International. This vital funding will expand ODF’s capacity to provide fair-priced, much-needed working capital loans to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets that focus on aggregating and exporting organic ingredients. These companies play a crucial role in scaling sustainable agriculture and linking smallholder farmers to global markets.

 

ODF was founded by Tradin Organic, global frontrunner in the sourcing, processing and distribution of organic ingredients. As a strong promotor of long-term partnerships with its suppliers, Tradin Organic executed on its vision of adding value in its supply chains by creating a truly market-driven financing instrument, addressing the finance gap faced by many organic companies in developing countries by opening up access to capital, supporting growth and innovation.

Tradin Organic CEO Floris Wesseling: “Through ODF we can connect organic suppliers to appropriate financing, empowering them to sustainably improve their operations. This contributes to the development of their communities; economically, socially and environmentally, and leads to a more resilient supply chain. We are delighted to welcome Invest International as a partner in ODF, joining us on our mission to foster a thriving organic value chain from farm to fork.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Women at work in processing facility for organic cashew nuts in Brazil

 

Driving Sustainable Agriculture in Emerging Markets

Organic agriculture offers significant environmental benefits, including improved soil health, increased biodiversity, and the reduction of harmful chemicals, making it a critical component of sustainable development. Sourcing is often done from emerging markets, where many small and medium-sized enterprises struggle to secure affordable working capital. ODF’s tailored financing solutions allow these businesses to meet growing demand, pay fair prices to local farmers, and scale sustainably.

“With this EUR 10 million loan, we’re thrilled to expand our support for companies that are pioneering sustainable, organic agriculture in emerging markets. This commitment from a prominent partner like Invest International is a major milestone in the ODF growth path, showing trust in our investment strategy” said Susie Horth, ODF Chairperson of the Supervisory Board.

 

A Blended Finance Facility Catalysing Investment

As a blended finance facility, ODF is uniquely structured to leverage both concessional and private funding, creating a bridge for impactful, market-driven investment into high-growth sectors in emerging markets. With support of USAID and GIZ the fund was la

unched by Tradin Organic in 2020 and has already successfully built a portfolio of over 14 transactions with 8 different companies. By attracting additional funds with a diversified investor base, ODF aims to expand the number of buying partners with which it cooperates and meet the growing demand for sustainable agricultural supply chains worldwide.

Michiel Slootweg, Director of Private Sector, emphasized Invest International’s support for ODF’s commitment to financing small-scale organic farmers in emerging markets and connecting them with Dutch trading companies such as Tradin Organic. “This creates a win-win for all parties in the value chain, driving sustainable growth and strengthening trade links with the Netherlands.”

 

Managed by FOUNT; a Leading Dutch Impact Fund Manager

ODF is managed by FOUNT, a Dutch impact fund manager known for their dedication to fostering sustainable development in underserved sectors in emerging markets. FOUNT’s experience of working in emerging markets, impact investing, and working in partnerships ensures that ODF’s capital is allocated effectively to generate long-term social and environmental returns.

“With the capital provided by Invest International, ODF can scale up its investments in securing a sustainable future for our investees which will have positive, compounded effects along the organic supply chain. We’re extremely pleased with the partnership and excited to continue on our journey for positive impact.” said Bernadette Blom, Founding Partner of FOUNT. “By providing tailored capital solutions to these SMEs in the organic supply chain, we can make a measurable impact on local economies and global sustainability goals, while fostering environmentally friendly practices.”

 

Empowering Local Communities and Farmers

The importance of organic regenerative farming practices is recognised globally, driven by consumer awareness of health, environmental, and social benefits. However, organic-focused SMEs in emerging markets often face financial barriers that limit their ability to grow a

 

nd support local farmers. By providing efficiently affordable working capital, and working with multiple international traders, ODF enables these businesses to increase their reach and impact, empowering thousands of smallholder farmers who benefit from reliable market access and fair trade practices.

“At ODF, we believe that fair financing can be transformative for companies in emerging markets,” adds Gemma Verhoeven, ODF Fund Lead. “With this support from Invest International, we’re helping SMEs thrive, protecting the environment, and creating opportunities for smallholder farmers to build sustainable livelihoods.”

 

About Organic Development Finance (ODF)

ODF, Organic Development Finance, was initiated as a Dutch Foundation by Tradin Organic, supported by USAID West African Trade and Investment Hub and GIZ, Germany’s main development agency, to provide affordable finance to certified organic agricultural companies in low-income and emerging countries. The objective is to enhance local supply chains for organic crops in order to realize environmental and social benefits of organic production.
More information: www.organicdevelopmentfinance.org

 

About FOUNT

FOUNT is a leading impact investment firm providing Strategic Advisory and Fund and Investment Management services to drive social and environmental impact alongside reasonable financial return in emerging markets. FOUNT is the Fund Advisor of Organic Development Finance. FOUNT is active in various sectors across emerging economies including agriculture, sustainable fashion and clean cooking. Fund and Investment mandates of FOUNT further comprise Agri3 Fund (sustainable agriculture), Good Fashion Fund (sustainable fashion) and BIXCapital (clean cooking). For more information, please visit: www.fount.eu.

 

For more information, please contact:

Gemma Verhoeven
Fund Lead ODF
Organic Development Finance (ODF)
gemma@organicdevelopmentfinance.org
+31616058286
organicdevelopmentfinance.org

With this partnership Invest International contributes to ODF’s commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth, empowering smallholder farmers, and promoting environmental sustainability. This funding is a major milestone for ODF’s work in building a fair, resilient, and environmentally conscious future.

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Gerard-Versteegh

Gerard Versteegh

Board Member

Gerard, the former President of Tradin Organic Agriculture BV, brings extensive experience in the sourcing and trade of organic food ingredients. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated his commitment to promoting sustainable agriculture in low income and emerging markets. Gerard co-led the creation of ODF from concept through to soft launch, and continues to actively support the project  through the Supervisory Board

Eric-Mallant

Eric Mallant

Board Member

As a former Director of ING Trade & Commodity Finance, Eric brings a wealth of experience and networks to ODF. Under Eric’s guidance, ODF is establishing itself as a leader and innovator in socially responsible Trade Finance.

Susie-Hjorth

Susie Hjorth

Chair

Susie is a Senior business executive with a well-rounded international commercial background in food and agriculture. She is the Commercial Director at Tradin Organic and is the Chairperson of the Supervisory Board.

Ingrid-Haars-foto

Ingrid-Haars

Business Controller

I joined FOUNT in June 2024. After being self-employed for 8 years working on several assignments at the Rabobank, ABN AMRO and FMO. Prior to that I was employed for about 21 years at the Rabobank.

Over the years I worked in several positions and departments at banks. But the last decade I specialized mainly in first, second and third line controlling with regard to Customer Due Diligence.
Besides that I am a process controller and fraud expert. I followed an evening study during my first years of working and this way got a bachelor degree in business administration. And in my free time I enjoy cooking, reading and spending time with family and friends with a cold glass of white wine.

Gerard Vos

Gerard Vos

Senior Investment Advisor

Gerard has more than 20 years of work experience, including 6 years of direct impact investing experience in Africa. From 2006-2015 he worked for two different private equity firms: HAL Investments (2006-2009) and the Investment Fund for Health in Africa (“IFHA”, 2009-2015, investors including IFC, APG and FMO). Both funds are well-respected investment organisations with an international focus. Through his broad work experience, Gerard has developed a keen insight into the entire investment process, from the first contact with a potential investment candidate to portfolio management activities.

He joined FOUNT in early 2015 as a Senior Investment Advisor. Since then, Gerard has worked for Reall (affordable housing investor in Africa and Asia, based in the UK), PMIC (microfinance organisation in Pakistan), IFHA (healthcare PE fund focused entirely on Africa) and BIX Capital (clean energy, main focus on Africa and Asia), amongst other. Assignments included performing a market study, financial modelling, compiling an Investment Memorandum as well as deal execution.

Gerard obtained his Master’s degree in Macroeconomics at the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, the Netherlands.

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Connor Barette

Impact and
Investment Analyst

Connor joined FOUNT in May 2023. Prior to this, Connor worked as an impact analyst at Impact Institute, which looks to measure and monetize the positive and negative social and environmental impact of its clients. Here he focused on creating responsible value chains, mainly in the food and agriculture sectors.

Connor also has experience as a B Lab consultant, conducting a B Corp assessment for a leading clothes manufacturer. In addition, he has worked as a volunteer at EcoSwell, a sustainable development NGO in Peru.

In his free time, he enjoys playing sports, reading, and hanging out with friends.

Connor holds a Master of Science degree in Environment and Resource Management from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and a Master in Sustainable Business and Innovation degree from EADA Business School Barcelona.

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Jill Shankleman

ESG and Impact Advisor

Jill has over thirty years experience advising investors and development finance institutions on understanding and mitigating ESG risks and delivering positive impact as part of a commercial project.

Within the AGRI3 Fund, she has been responsible from September 2021 to September 2022 for ESG appraisal and due diligence; establishing ESG requirements for financing; developing impact indicators and working with Partnerbanks and clients on risk mitigation and positive impacts for transactions in low and middle income countries. She also took the lead in developing ESG and impact policies and tools for the fund. Until September 2022 she was involved with AGRI3 as a member of the E&S and Impact Advisory panel and at the same time provided advice and support on specific agriculture E&S and impact-related topics.

Prior to joining the AGRI3 Fund, she was a senior ESG Advisor to the Althelia Climate Fund. For most of her career, Jill has worked as a consultant and has extensive experience of the extractive industries worldwide as well as of the agriculture and forestry projects that AGRI3 focusses on. Jill has also been a Senior Social and Environmental Specialist at the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and FMO, and was responsible for setting up the social performance consulting practice of Environmental Resources Management (ERM).

Robert Pothoven foto ODF

Robert Pothoven

Investment Lead

Robert joined FOUNT as the Investment Lead for ODF. He has extensive experience in Trade Finance of Agri commodities working at ABN AMRO, where he held a Director position. He was responsible for managing a portfolio of trade finance loans to top tier agri commodities traders. 

During this time Robert also worked as a financial advisor to a Bolivian reforestation project and helped an Indonesian farmer cooperation with an investment plan for a fermentation plant.

Robert then went on to co-found a software company in carbon accounting and successfully grew the business without outside capital. The business was acquired by South Pole, where he continued to work as Business Development Lead.

Robert holds a double master’s degree in law from the Erasmus University Rotterdam. He lives in Haarlem and loves spending time with his family & friends and do sports like running and fitness.

Gemma

Gemma Verhoeven

Impact Investment
Team Lead

Gemma joined FOUNT in January 2022. With 15 years of experience in development finance in emerging markets, she is a seasoned professional in impact investing.

Before joining FOUNT, Gemma fulfilled the role of Regional manager East Africa and Asia at EDFI MC – ElectriFI in Brussels. ElectriFI is a blended finance facility funded by the EU providing early stage catalytic capital to financially sustainable initiatives aimed at increasing or improving access to energy in emerging countries.

Gemma has worked 7 years as Investment Officer at FMO, the Dutch development bank, in multiple regions and sectors, covering the full investment process life cycle. Having left FMO and the Netherlands in 2014, she lived in Bulgaria for 6 years where she worked as independent investment advisor, among others for FMO and ElectriFI.

Gemma finished her masters degree in international financial business in Amsterdam.

Bernadette Blom

Partner FOUNT

Bernadette has around 25 years structured finance and strategic advisory experience of which more than 17 years of experience in impact investment advisory. Bernadette is partner of FOUNT since 2011 (previously named Goodwell Advisory Services). Within FOUNT, Bernadette has been leading several strategic assignments including assignments focusing on corporate strategies, feasibility studies, impact investment strategies and frameworks, etc. Bernadette is (part-time) Director of BIX Capital, an initiative of Shell Foundation, Cardano Development and FOUNT, and IC member of Good Fashion Fund. She worked with different type of clients in amongst others Nicaragua, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kenya and also for reputable impact investors such as Oikocredit, FMO, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Bernadette is currently Board member at Aqua for all.

Before establishing FOUNT, Bernadette co-founded Corporate Connect, a financial advisory firm with a focus on impact investing in emerging markets, worked at Accenture as senior strategy consultant, Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi investment banking (London) and ABN AMRO Bank’s investment banking division (Amsterdam).

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Bob Assenberg

Partner FOUNT

Bob has over 20 years of investment experience including several years as fund manager. Additionally, he has hands-on general management experience in microfinance and SME banking. Bob has been in a number of Investment Committees and Supervisory Boards and is currently member of the Supervisory Board and IC for BIX Capital as well as Advisory Committee-member for the Mergence Renewable Energy Debt Fund.

Bob is partner of FOUNT. Within FOUNT, Bob has been leading in the long-term assignment for portfolio management and refinancing of a social housing loan portfolio in 17 emerging countries and played a key role in ‘investment readiness’ assignments for several clients. For FOUNT, Bob is the lead for structuring and setting up of the Good Fashion Fund as well as the lead advisor for Agri3, a joint initiative of Rabobank and UN for sustainable agriculture in emerging markets. Bob has a vivid interest in the microfinance, housing and energy sector and has been on assignments in numerous countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Central- and South Eastern Europe.