Impact Investing
Strategy and thesis
As an angel investor and through Kepri Projects, I invest in founders and businesses with the potential to solve pressing environmental and climate problems through scalable solutions and business models.
The projects for investment are prioritized based on five key criteria:
Purpose-driven and open-minded founders
Solving pressing environmental / climate problems
Positive social impact
Scalable / replicable solutions
Ability to create long-term value
The framework we use in selecting and growing our portfolio companies is inspired by global sustainability guidelines and principles such as those advanced by industry initiatives such as VentureESG and ESG VC as well as the Operating Principles for Impact Management issued by the IFC and World Bank Group, and the UN Global Compact SDGs.
Kepri leverages its global network of experts in both the sourcing of investments and the value creation process.
Sectors
My impact investments focus on two sectors: 1) cleantech and climate-tech, and 2) sustainable travel and ecotourism.
The cleantech and climate-tech areas covered include recycling / circular solutions, ecosystem restoration and conservation, carbon capture / reduction technologies, renewable energy, sustainable mobility, as well as sustainable agriculture and food.
Drawing upon 15+ years of experience running sustainable travel and ecotourism projects in 30+ countries, Kepri has developed the expertise and capability to identify great opportunities in the sector and ways to scale them globally.
Sustainable travel and ecotourism ventures include online travel platforms, tour operators, ecolodges, as well as conservation tourism businesses.
Real Estate Investing
Real estate investing has been a side hustle and passion for me and my wife for over a decade now. Our investments are done through Monkland Properties, a real estate investment business focused on residential properties (long-term and short-term rentals) in North America as well as the Middle East; both regions we know well. We are also expanding our portfolio to invest occasionally in small nature-based hospitality projects such as lodges, camps, and agri-tourism properties.
Our investment approach and philosophy is fairly simple. We invest in well located properties that combine functionality with aesthetics while promoting nature and environmental sustainability.
We use the following five criteria when selecting our investments:
High-demand locations
Demand is our first decision criterion for all types of properties we invest in. For long-term rental properties, we choose cities with a good balance of appreciation and cash flow. These locations are typically in smaller yet high-growth cities or up-and-coming neighborhoods (e.g. undergoing gentrification) in larger cities. Two key drivers we consider here are population growth (and immigration), and tourism flows. Locations that are more exposed to climate risk (e.g. sea level rise) and to potential natural disasters (e.g. hurricanes) are excluded.
Quality tenants and guests
Higher quality tenants and guests generally provide many advantages in real estate investments. These include a) on-time and digital payments, b) lower maintenance costs, and c) easier management. The latter means effective communication and the delegation of numerous management tasks to tenants and guests. Moreover, properties occupied by high-quality tenants can be more easily managed remotely.
Aesthetics and functionality
Real estate is more of an art than a science. At the heart of that art are the aesthetics of the property and its surroundings as well as the uniqueness of the place. We strongly appreciate original and well designed properties that coexist in harmony with the surrounding environment. One of the philosophies we apply in determining the level of aesthetics of a property is Feng Shui; an ancient Chinese philosophy that focuses on energy flow.
The functionality of the place is also a key success factor. For instance, homes that incorporate an office space are more attractive.
Sustainability and walkability
Sustainability is at the heart of our real estate work and it is broken down into three key areas: 1) properties that include and are surrounded by greenery/gardens, 2) green buildings using renewable energy and sustainable materials, and 3) highly walkable location; at a walking distance from key amenities and site for outdoor activities. Walkability is key as it allows tenants and residents to minimize the use of vehicles and time wasted in transportation. This in turn reduces their footprint and improves their quality of life.
Family-oriented and safe
We invest in properties that provide quality homes and stays for families looking for a clean and safe environment for their children. The residential properties in our portfolio are situated in highly ranked school districts, often at a walking distance from top schools (public and private). Families generally stay for longer periods of time and promote healthier and safer environments.