Acumen

Acumen Acumen is solving the problems of poverty and building a world based on dignity. We believe everyone deserves to live with dignity. We’re here to change that.

Neither the markets nor aid alone can solve the problems of poverty. More than two billion people around the world lack access to basic goods and services—from clean water and electricity to an education and the freedom to participate in the economy. Our vision is a world based on dignity, where every human being has the same opportunity. Rather than giving philanthropy away, we invest it in companies and change makers.

08/31/2026

Two chocolate makers, thousands of miles apart, both obsessed with making chocolate that does justice to where it comes from.

We got Uzoamaka Igweike and Carlos Velasco, founders of Loom Chocolate and Cacao Hunters , both Acumen investees, to taste and review each other’s chocolate.

Their reviews are a reminder that when you buy a bar of chocolate from either of them, you’re supporting everyone who helped get it into your hands.

El lunes 10 de agosto, Colombia fue azotada por un terremoto de gran magnitud, dejando zonas del país afectadas y a pers...
08/19/2026

El lunes 10 de agosto, Colombia fue azotada por un terremoto de gran magnitud, dejando zonas del país afectadas y a personas de nuestra comunidad en medio de la incertidumbre.

Hoy nuestra solidaridad está con ellas: con quienes han sido afectados, con quienes esperan noticias e intentan sostenerse en este momento difícil, y con todas aquellas personas que trabajan para brindar apoyo durante la emergencia.

En medio de la crisis, presenciamos el poder de la comunidad manifestarse de muchas maneras. Gracias a nuestra comunidad Acumen, que sigue estando presente, todas las personas, unas por otras, y por quienes más lo necesitan. 🙏

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On Monday, August 10th, Colombia was struck by a severe earthquake, leaving parts of the country affected and members of our community facing uncertainty.

Today our solidarity is with those who have been affected, with those awaiting news and trying to hold steady in this difficult moment, and with everyone working to provide support in the midst of this emergency.

In crisis, we see the power of community show up in so many ways. Thank you to our Acumen community who continue to show up for each other and for people most in need. 🙏

08/18/2026

What does it take to build a homegrown chocolate brand that can compete with the global giants?

We followed Loom Craft Chocolate from cocoa pod to chocolate bar, stepping inside its factory in Nigeria to see how an African entrepreneur is taking on the big supermarket brands.

Last Thursday, we brought together entrepreneurs, Fellows, Partners, investees, and Foundry members in Nairobi for the 2...
08/03/2026

Last Thursday, we brought together entrepreneurs, Fellows, Partners, investees, and Foundry members in Nairobi for the 2026 East Africa Acumen Community Gathering.

There were good conversations throughout the day, but the best of it happened between sessions. Hallways, coffee breaks, catching up with people we hadn't seen in a while.

Thanks to everyone who made it out.

📸 More from the day below.

07/09/2026

A fun way to learn about Acumen. We put our team in Nairobi on the spot… literally.

How many would you get right?

07/09/2026

What happens when bold ideas get the capital and support to grow?

Jobs are created. Emissions are cut. New leaders emerge. Communities grow stronger.

It all adds up to The Acumen Effect.

Read now Acumen’s 2025 Annual Report. Link in the comments.

07/01/2026

Ball knowledge (and Acumen knowledge) put to the test.

Featuring our team in Colombia.

06/24/2026

Record heat in London this week. Fitting backdrop for the climate conversation. A day with Lindsay at London Climate Action Week.

Featuring African Management Institute

What started with 400 rupees and a borrowed football is now one of India's most powerful education movements.Acumen Fell...
06/11/2026

What started with 400 rupees and a borrowed football is now one of India's most powerful education movements.

Acumen Fellow Ashok Rathod grew up in Ambedkar Nagar, Mumbai, watching his friends drop out of school and fall into gangs. He believed football could change that, and he was right.

Through the OSCAR Foundation, Ashok has reached more than 40,000 children using two deceptively simple rules: celebrate every goal together (to break down division), and no school, no football (to keep kids in class).

Six years of rejection from parents before he formed a single girls' team. Today, 42% of his program is girls, and they're champions.
This is what it looks like when one person refuses to accept the way things are.

Read the full story in the comments.

Earlier this month, our New York office had the pleasure of hosting Nidhi Pant, Acumen India Fellow and Co-Founder of Ac...
05/28/2026

Earlier this month, our New York office had the pleasure of hosting Nidhi Pant, Acumen India Fellow and Co-Founder of Acumen investee S4S Technologies, for a brown bag session that left us galvanized and inspired.

Nidhi and her team use solar conductor dryers to help smallholder farmers in India turn food waste into income. The company also trains women farmers to become micro-entrepreneurs and facilitates access to finance to catalyze underserved markets.

In addition, S4S provides market linkages that help reduce food waste and allow farmers to increase income. S4S has notably created jobs for more than 2000 women, catalyzed millions of dollars in financing, and provided market linkage to over 6000 farmers.

We’re so grateful for your visit, Nidhi. Thank you for sharing your work with us.

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