Yerevan, 01 April 2019 – Today UNDP in Armenia signed an agreement with Granatus Ventures to establish and manage the Granatus Tech4SDG Fund. The Fund, with a target size of USD 40 million, will make investments in technology-driven ventures that demonstrate strong potential for social and environmental impact.

This initiative addresses the investment gap necessary to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. UNDP will act as a Sustainability Partner, sharing best practices in impact management and the application of internationally accepted Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards across the investment process. UNDP will also provide financial support to structure the Fund, and assist in the fundraising process and in sourcing relevant deal flow across key markets.

Granatus Ventures in turn commits to contribute to UNDP’s efforts to accelerate the development of Armenia’s impact investment ecosystem aimed at achieving SDG goals.  The Granatus Tech4SDG Fund aims to leverage rapidly developing technologies and engineering talent to maximise the social and environmental impact and mitigate ESG risks of its investments.

This initiative is part of “Tech4SDGs Financing Platform” by UNDP in Armenia to unlock the potential of local and international private financing for the acceleration of the SDGs.

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UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. UNDP in Armenia was established in March 1993 and supports the government in meeting its development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.                                                                      

Established in 2013, Granatus Ventures is the first technology venture capital firm in Armenia that provides investments, expertise and networks to start-ups worldwide that leverage Armenia’s potential as an emerging technology hub. Granatus Ventures is backed by an experienced team of investment professionals managing a portfolio of 14 high-tech startups that have cumulatively attracted more than USD 62 million in capital from leading VCs in Silicon Valley and Europe. www.granatusventures.com