Clinton Giustra Enterprise Partnership
Fondo Acceso
Although Colombia’s economy has grown significantly in recent years, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which employ approximately 30 percent of the labor force, often face challenges in accessing the financing that would enable them to grow. In collaboration with Fundación Carlos Slim, the Enterprise Partnership launched Fondo Acceso S.A.S. – a $20 million investment fund that will invest in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are seeking to expand but are underserved by existing capital markets. The fund’s goal is to enable job creation and sustainable income increases in Colombia.
On September 15, 2011, Acceso announced its first investment of U.S. $1.35 million in Alimentos SAS (Alimentos), a Colombian manufacturer that produces several lines of natural fruit juices and pulp for distribution in supermarkets and for institutional customers. This investment will enable Alimentos to make plant improvements, expand into new markets, and create 100 new manufacturing jobs and up to 177 indirect jobs at the small farmer level. This, in addition to the company's already established reputation, will give Alimentos a competitive advantage to grow to the next level.