IFC Invests in EcoEnterprises Partners IV to Boost Job Creation and Support SMEs in Latin America and the Caribbean

Washington, DC, October 30, 2025 - The International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, is investing in EcoEnterprises Partners IV, a women-led impact fund dedicated to supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). IFC's investment, made through IFC's SME Ventures Program, underscores the organization's commitment to expanding access to capital for SMEs in frontier markets.  

IFC will invest US$ 10 million in the new fund, which will support businesses, the majority of them SMEs, that enhance biodiversity, promote climate resilience, and create socio-economic opportunities for rural communities. Private capital is scarce in countries such as Ecuador and Costa Rica, with almost no private equity investments in the last five years. With a target fund size of $150 million, Fund IV plans to deploy capital across 15−20 companies and will prioritize investments in the Amazon and Andean regions, as well as Central America.

"IFC's investment in EcoEnterprises Partners IV reflects our commitment to creating jobs and supporting smart development in underserved regions," said Farid Fezoua, Global Director for Disruptive Technologies, Services, and Funds at IFC. "We aim to help deepen the private equity market in the LAC region, particularly in underserved frontier markets. By demonstrating the viability of investing in SMEs that deliver both financial returns and measurable impact, the project is expected to attract more institutional investors to the region."

EcoEnterprises Fund, established in 1998, focuses on nature-based solutions across the LAC region, having invested more than $150 million in 50 SMEs. The new fund builds on the success of its predecessors, which created thousands of jobs, many of them held by women.

"With IFC's participation, EcoEnterprises Fund will be better able to accelerate businesses that deliver tangible impact for both people and planet," said EcoEnterprises Fund CEO Tammy Newmark. "This fourth fund will help us further mainstream investing in natural climate solutions that transform the way business is achieved in the region."

EcoEnterprises Partners Fund IV will expand its reach through targeted initiatives that foster inclusive business growth by investing in sectors such as sustainable products, ag-tech, circular economy, and clean energy, including regenerative agriculture, waste-to-energy solutions, and biodiversity conservation.

Fund IV has already secured $100 million in commitments. IFC's investment will further catalyze private capital, enabling the fund to reach its target size and scale its impact.

About EcoEnterprises Fund

EcoEnterprises Fund offers tailored growth capital and strategic guidance to innovative impact businesses in order to scale financial, environmental and social performance. For over 20 years, the Fund has successfully proven its unique approach, managing three funds that have financed 50 companies across 11 countries in Latin America. For more information, visit https://ecoenterprisesfund.com/