Impact Square has been active in ESG consulting, business development, and impact measurement since 2010, and since 2020 has established a unique position in Asia's early-stage impact investment market through fund formation. We have developed and implemented a systematic approach to address the triple challenges facing Asia's impact investment ecosystem: high failure rates, structural barriers in early-stage fundraising, and the absence of impact measurement standards.

1. Impact Square Fund Management and First Investor Strategy

Impact Square manages $19M across 5 funds (2 government-backed and 3 private funds), serving as the first investor in 60-70% of our portfolio companies. This strategy goes beyond simple investment—it's our core approach to directly tackle the First Money Problem plaguing Asia's impact investment ecosystem. We actively embrace the early-stage uncertainties that traditional investors avoid, stepping in as first investors for impact enterprises in a market where pre-seed funding success rates are just 2-3%, helping them cross the 'Death Valley.'

Current Fund Portfolio:

Fund 1 (2 government-backed funds): $11M / Active since 2020
Fund 2 (3 private funds): $8M / Active since 2021
Investment Stage: Pre-seed to Pre-Series A
Ticket size: $35k - $700k per company
Sector Focus: 40% Environment, 30% Income Generation, 30% Accessibility/Education/Healthcare
Geographic Coverage: Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, and other Asian markets
Portfolio Size: Approximately 70 companies to date

2. Impact Square's Integrated Approach and Core Capabilities

Impact Square serves as a comprehensive partner, addressing the multi-layered challenges facing Asian impact enterprises beyond traditional funding.

Investment and Financial Support:

Specialized early-stage startup due diligence expertise
Venture capital and financial modeling assistance
Asia-focused investment discovery and network development

Operations and Business Development:

Operational efficiency improvements for complex value-chain impact enterprises
Local market insights and entry strategy development
Business opportunity creation through government and private sector networks

Impact Measurement and Verification:

Home to Korea's first impact measurement research institute
Development of Asia-specific impact measurement methodologies
ESG analysis and standardization support

3. Proposed Next-Generation Asia Impact Investment Fund

To systematically address the structural challenges identified in Asia's impact investment ecosystem, Impact Square plans to launch a new fund dedicated to supporting early-stage Asian impact startups.

Fund Structure and Strategy:

Focus Area: Pre-seed to Pre-Series A companies
Geographic Scope: Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, and other key Asian markets
Ticket size: $15k - $350k per company
Portfolio Target: 20-25 companies over 3-4 years

Our Competitive Advantages:

Government Network Access: Strong relationships with Korean government and private funding sources ensure stable capital foundation
Localized Due Diligence: Deep cultural understanding and established local networks enable thorough evaluation across Asian markets
Impact Measurement Leadership: Korea's first impact measurement research institute provides specialized standards and methodologies for the region
Cross-Border Connectivity: Expanding regional presence through Indonesia JV (launching 2025) and strategic partnerships in Japan and Singapore

First Investor Strategy: Addressing Early-Stage Impact Investment Challenges in Asia

First Investor Strategy: Addressing Early-Stage Impact Investment Challenges in Asia