Sorenson Impact Foundation

The Sorenson Impact Foundation invests in early stage start-ups that are developing innovative, scalable solutions to some of the world's most pressing needs. The Foundation has investments across five continents spanning the healthcare, education, workforce development, financial inclusion and other social impact areas.

Meredith Shields

Managing Director

14 past transactions

Copia Global

Series C in 2023
Copia Global Inc. is an e-commerce company based in Nairobi, Kenya, that focuses on providing a consumer catalog order and delivery system for middle to low-income individuals in the developing world. Founded in 2013, the company leverages mobile technology and a network of local agents to facilitate access to a diverse range of quality goods at reasonable prices. Its platform enables users, including those without direct internet access, to browse products and place orders with local shopkeepers, who can then fulfill these orders and manage payments through a mobile payment system. This approach not only empowers consumers but also enhances the distribution capabilities of local businesses, making it easier for rural and peri-urban populations to access essential products conveniently.

Taleemabad

Seed Round in 2023
Taleemabad is an online educational platform that offers a wide array of quality educational resources tailored for students of all ages, from primary school to higher education. Based in Islamabad, Pakistan, the platform focuses on leveraging technology to enhance the learning experience, ensuring that educators can provide high-quality education at an affordable cost. By providing diverse courses and study materials, Taleemabad aims to meet the varying needs of learners, making quality education accessible to a broader audience.

OutcomesX

Seed Round in 2022
Corporate social spending is on the rise as businesses face growing pressure from stakeholders to make a positive impact in the communities they serve and throughout their supply chains. This demand is further intensified by regulatory scrutiny, such as the EU Corporate Sustainability Directive, which requires European companies to measure and report their material impact on communities and supply chains. Additionally, the SEC is cracking down on cause-washing and green-washing claims, holding public companies accountable for their social impact commitments. On the other hand, impact-producing organizations, like nonprofits and social enterprises, struggle to receive funding based on their efficacy rather than reputation. Despite their agility and crisis response capabilities, only a small fraction of international humanitarian aid reaches these local organizations. Their time is consumed by fundraising efforts, grant applications, and reporting, limiting their capacity to scale their impact. Enter OutcomesX, the social outcome marketplace that bridges the gap between corporations and impact producers. By providing verifiable impact and equitable capital allocation, the platform empowers impact producers to access global funding and focus on driving meaningful change. The key features of OutcomesX include standardizing, pricing, trading, and reporting on social impact credits, simplifying the process for buyers to connect with the most effective impact producers while reducing administrative burdens on both buyers and producers. OutcomesX transforms corporate social responsibility from a buzzword to a measurable force for good, benefiting businesses, impact producers, and the communities they serve, and driving sustainable growth for a better world.

FutureFit AI

Seed Round in 2022
FutureFit AI collaborates with Fortune 500 companies, governments, and workforce development organizations to offer an AI-driven platform designed to assist individuals in navigating career transitions. This platform functions as a "GPS for your Career," utilizing advanced labor market data and equity-focused machine learning algorithms to assess an individual's starting point in the labor market. It provides tailored recommendations for career paths, along with a personalized roadmap that outlines necessary learning, resources, and work opportunities. By enabling users to explore various skills and careers, FutureFit AI helps individuals identify potential career paths and acquire the training needed to achieve their professional goals.

Canary

Pre Seed Round in 2022
Canary is a financial services company based in New York, founded in 2021, that focuses on providing emergency funding to individuals facing financial hardships. Through its grant-making platform, Grant Circle, Canary enables employees to access financial assistance during unexpected emergencies that affect their ability to meet essential living expenses, such as housing, utilities, and food. The company's mission includes supporting research, influencing policy formation, and exploring innovative solutions to enhance financial health. Canary has partnered with various organizations, including Visionworks and Clear Channel Outdoor, to facilitate access to emergency grants for employees in need. By expanding the availability of emergency funds in the workplace, Canary aims to establish a social safety net that improves the efficiency and impact of existing relief efforts.
Asante Financial Services Group is dedicated to promoting financial independence for businesses and individuals across Africa. The company specializes in providing a comprehensive suite of financial services, including loans, payment solutions, deposits, investment products, and insurance services. By focusing on micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), Asante aims to meet the diverse needs of these businesses, enabling them to access essential credit financing and asset management solutions. Through its offerings, Asante strives to support the growth and sustainability of African enterprises, facilitating their journey toward financial autonomy.

Dollaride

Pre Seed Round in 2021
Dollaride is a mobility company focused on enhancing transportation access in urban areas, particularly for underserved communities. Drawing inspiration from New York City's informal "dollar vans," which have provided local transport services since the 1980s, Dollaride has developed a digital platform that connects fleet owners, drivers, and passengers. The platform offers a comprehensive operator business dashboard, enabling fleet management, automated fee collection, and features that support territory expansion. By providing technical resources and web assistance, Dollaride empowers operators to manage their fleets transparently and in compliance with regulations. This innovative approach not only enhances the earnings potential for drivers but also allows passengers to conveniently hail rides, thereby improving overall mobility in urban settings. Through its commitment to clean transportation, Dollaride aims to foster the adoption of sustainable practices among small transportation fleet owners and contribute to the green economy.

Neopenda

Convertible Note in 2021
Neopenda innovates needs-based medical technologies for high-growth emerging markets. Their solution reduces response time to newborns in distress and helps healthcare workers to save more lives.

Wayfinder

Seed Round in 2021
Wayfinder, developed at the Stanford University d.school, offers a K-12 curriculum focused on equipping students with essential future-ready skills that extend beyond traditional social-emotional learning. The curriculum emphasizes Self-Awareness, Adaptability, Empathy, Collaboration, Agency, and Purpose, aiming to connect classroom learning with real-world applications and preparing students for lifelong success. The program fosters meaningful relationships and enhances student engagement while improving school climate. It features the Waypoints assessment suite, which provides real-time insights into student progress, facilitating targeted instruction and timely interventions. With flexible implementation options suitable for various educational settings and grade levels, Wayfinder integrates seamlessly with major learning management systems. Since its launch in 2015, the program has been well-received, showing significant improvements in student engagement and social awareness in various districts across the United States and in over 65 countries worldwide. Wayfinder has received high recognition from the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) and Common Sense Education, underscoring its effectiveness in developing life readiness skills.

Stony Creek Colors

Series A in 2017
Stony Creek Colors, Inc. is a manufacturer of bio-based colorants specifically designed for the textile industry. Founded in 2012 and based in Springfield, Tennessee, the company collaborates with small farmers in the Southeast U.S. to produce plant-based dyes, including indigo. Stony Creek Colors aims to provide clean and safe natural dyes that replace hazardous chemicals traditionally used in textile manufacturing. By focusing on sustainable practices, the company enables the textile and fashion industries to offer environmentally conscious premium products to consumers.

Arbutus Medical

Convertible Note in 2017
Arbutus Medical Inc., founded in 2014 and headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, specializes in the development and manufacturing of surgical power tools aimed at enhancing surgical efficiency and accessibility. The company offers a range of products, including its flagship orthopedic power tool system, which features innovative solutions such as the HEX and PRO drill kits, as well as sterile-packed orthopedic procedure kits. These tools are designed to meet the needs of various healthcare settings, including trauma centers, veterinary hospitals, military deployments, and hospitals in over 30 low- and middle-income countries. Arbutus Medical focuses on "frugal innovation," aiming to reduce healthcare costs and improve access to orthopedic surgery for millions of patients by 2030.

Kinara Capital

Series A in 2013
Kinara Capital is a financing company based in Bengaluru, India, that specializes in providing flexible collateral-free loans to small business entrepreneurs. Founded in 2011 by Hardika Shah, the company primarily targets growing businesses that need funding for working capital, capital assets, and startup expenses. Its lending portfolio encompasses various industries, including agri-products, handicrafts, water, food, and energy. Kinara Capital aims to bridge the gap between microfinance and commercial capital by offering loans ranging from Rs 1 lakh to 15 lakh to micro and small enterprises. The company is recognized for its personalized customer service and rapid loan processing, leveraging data-driven insights to enhance its offerings. Kinara Capital has received accolades such as being named 'Bank of the Year-Asia' by the IFC/World Bank in 2019 and being listed among the Top 100 High-Growth Companies in the Asia-Pacific by the Financial Times.

WorldHaus

Seed Round in 2013
WorldHaus, Inc. is a company based in Pasadena, California, that focuses on developing low-cost prefabricated building systems aimed at providing affordable housing solutions. Incorporated in 2011, the company addresses the global housing crisis by offering innovative construction technologies that prioritize sustainability. WorldHaus aims to deliver safe and secure homes for families at an affordable price of $1,000. Utilizing its proprietary RapidPanel systems, the company seeks to partner with and mentor existing construction firms, providing them with sales, technical support, and construction supervision to facilitate the use of its products. Through these efforts, WorldHaus contributes to creating sustainable homes that conserve energy, water, and other natural resources.
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