The latest developments in the ESG space.

East Ventures
East Ventures, an Indonesian venture capital firm, has signed up to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment, saying it is the country’s first VC business to do so.

"East Ventures believes sustainability is and will continue to be the focus of everything that we do, and we have been integrating the ESG approach in our practices. We hope through the signing of the UN PRI we can further strengthen our commitment to achieving sustainable development and bringing more positive impact to the society," Avina Sugiarto, venture partner of East Ventures, said. 

Six Principles for Responsible Investment include: (1) to incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making process, (2) to be the active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices, (3) to seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest, (4) to promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry, (5) to work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles, and (6) to report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles.

East Ventures said it has invested in several start-ups that support a “greener” greener environment: Aruna (Fisheries e-commerce), Xurya (Solar startup), Waste 4 Change (waste management); promoting health and well-being: Nalagenetics and Nusantics (Biotech), Mindtera, and Riliv (Mental health), and Homage (elder care); promoting quality education: Ruangguru, T-labs, Geniebook (Edutech), reducing food waste, Treedots (social commerce), and others.

East Ventures was founded in 2009.

(This news service has a new programme, its Wealth For Good Awards, designed to highlight the work wealth managers are doing to bring about change to the environment, society and governance. To find out more about the awards, click on this link. Winners, finalists and commended entries will be celebrated in May this year).