AC Ventures (ACV), an investment firm from Indonesia, has strengthened its support for climate-friendly innovation by actively joining the We Fund Climate program by the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
ACV said on Wednesday that the firm has created a Gender Smart Climate Commitment and Action Plan to include gender equality in its climate investment strategy.
As part of the We Fund Climate group, ACV is working on a Gender Smart Climate Commitment and Action Plan to increase funding for climate solutions that are led by women or benefit women.
The program offers expert-led workshops and group learning sessions to help fund managers learn practical ways to include gender equality in their climate investment processes.
“We believe long-term value creation and impact go hand in hand. The We Fund Climate program has strengthened our ability to identify and support startups that are not only building climate solutions but doing so in inclusive and gender-responsive ways,” said Helen Wong, Managing Partner, AC Ventures.
It’s noted that although women-led startups receive less than half the funding of male-led startups, they have shown great efficiency, turning every dollar invested into 78 cents in revenue, while male-led startups only turn 31 cents for every dollar invested.
According to a study by BCG, these startups are also leading in innovation, with women-led businesses having 10% higher total revenue over five years.
The We Fund Climate program, run by Value for Women for the IFC, has shown that women-led climate solutions face significant gaps in getting funding.
By participating in the program, ACV applies inclusive practices throughout its investment process—from finding and assessing opportunities to supporting its portfolio. This helps close the funding gaps and strengthens its approach to gender-smart climate investing.
The statement says combining climate action with gender inclusion creates a growing opportunity for investors.
ACV has already invested in several companies highlighting the link between climate action and gender inclusion. These include:
Acacia: An AI-driven platform founded by a female entrepreneur working to reduce carbon emissions in the global real estate sector.
Xurya: A renewable energy company that offers rooftop solar rentals with no upfront costs, generating over 1.18 billion kWh of clean energy.
Waste4Change: A waste management platform promoting circular economy practices throughout Indonesia.
Koltiva is a supply chain tech company that partners with over 1 million smallholder farmers in 52 countries to improve traceability, compliance, and livelihoods.
ACV’s 2024 Impact Report, created with the help of Deloitte, shows that the firm’s portfolio companies have created more than 30,000 jobs and helped over 4 million people and businesses across Southeast Asia.
Notably, 40 percent of these companies are led or co-led by women. By focusing more on gender-smart climate investing, ACV is committed to creating a lasting, positive impact in the region.
“As we look to the future, the opportunity to drive meaningful change is greater than ever. We are committed to supporting businesses that drive sustainable growth and create value for all stakeholders.
“Our role extends beyond capital investment. We aim to be strategic partners, helping companies scale, build resilience, and create lasting impact in the region,” said Wong.
ACV is an investment firm that puts money into tech-based businesses in Indonesia and Southeast Asia. The firm manages over $550 million in assets.
The firm supports entrepreneurs with more than just capital by offering operational experience, industry knowledge, strong local networks, and valuable resources.
Since 2012, its team has invested in over 120 regional tech companies. The team, composed of more than 40 professionals and led by Adrian Li, Michael Soerijadji, and Helen Wong, has offices in Jakarta, Malaysia, and Singapore.
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