Investing for social impact
We invest in socially responsible companies that assist us in our mission to empower people and communities in situations of poverty, illiteracy, disease and social injustice. Our network of investments help us strive towards self-sustainability.
Our strategy reflects our belief that investing to generate financial returns and lasting social and environmental impact are not only compatible, but mutually-reinforcing objectives.
DR SHAYLA AHMED
35 years, Dhaka
A father of a seven-year-old child messaged us once. I remember vividly. He sounded utterly helpless. The child, according to him, had traits he could not explain. He would be studying one moment, then would suddenly lose his ability to recognise the words he had just read. His school complained about him. We identified it as a case of dyslexia, but the father had no idea what that was or why it happened. He was so lost.
Another time, a 15-year-old married girl wrote to us regarding menstruation. She had no idea what was happening, did not know who to talk to, did not even know what to ask.
We discuss so little about important issues due to stigma. The most important topics are left out of our medical and school curriculums.
I always frame answers with a family member or friend in mind. What if they were suffering this, what would I recommend? I am always on my toes, always learning and researching and ensuring that my team are too. We focus on the taboo health and mental health topics that people often find too uncomfortable to discuss. We answer correctly, with empathy, and without personal bias or judgement.
I always wanted to be a doctor. My father also wanted to be a doctor but could not do so. I am giving medical advice now, in a completely different way to what either of us expected. I am living the life he wanted. I am very proud of where Maya Apa is today. We are only a very new team, but we are doing some really important work.
BRAC Bank
Tapping into the entrepreneurial initiatives of the SME sector. Today, with over 220,139 million of loans disbursed till date, BRAC Bank is the country’s largest SME financier, and has made more than 410,817 dreams come true. BRAC Bank is also one of the largest financial hypermarkets in the country with more than 75,000 customers and one of the widest array of retail and corporate banking products and services. We have 44.64% shareholding of BRAC Bank.
In 2017:
Launched the country’s first holistic banking solution package for women called ‘TARA’, which offers a platform to guide earning women in planning and achieving their financial goals.
Financial performance:
Consolidated profit after tax increased by 35% to BDT 5,498 million.
Delta BRAC Housing (DBH) Finance Corporation Limited
Providing financial security to home-owners through highly flexible loan schemes.
DBH is the largest institution in real estate finance, and is considered as a pioneer and market leader in the private sector housing finance sector. DBH earned the highest credit rating ‘AAA’ for the 12th consecutive year. We have 18.39% shareholding of DBH.
In 2017:
Supported the construction of lab facilities for the students of Rajdhani Mohila College in Mirpur, Dhaka, covering costs worth of BDT 350,000.
Financial performance:
Net profit after tax BDT 949 million.
BRACNet
Connecting the country through a nationwide wireless network, bringing affordable internet to everyone. We have 19.99% shareholding of BRACNet.
In 2017:
Operated 311 points of presence that provide access to fast and secured internet in over 400 sub-districts across the country.
Financial performance:
Total profit BDT 44.44 million.
Guardian Life Insurance
Innovation, proper risk management and prudent investment mechanisms to ensure maximum financial benefits for clients. BRAC Foundation has 10% shareholding of Guardian Life Insurance.
In 2017:
Winner of ‘New Insurance Product of the Year - Bangladesh’ at the Insurance Asia Awards 2017.
Financial performance:
Over 24,400 claims worth over BDT 600 million settled.
BRAC Tea Estates
Model estates that improve the lives of workers, with access to healthcare, education, sanitation and safe drinking water. We have 99.94% shareholding of BRAC Karnafuli Tea Company Limited, 99.85% of BRAC Kaiyacherra Tea Company Limited and 99.12% of BRAC Kodala Tea Company Limited.
In 2017:
Produced 3 million kg of made tea, an increase of 3.55% from last year, and contributed to the national tea production by 4%.
Financial performance:
Consolidated profit after tax BDT 69 million.
IPDC Finance Limited
The first private sector development financial institution of the country. IPDC has recently emerged as a major market player in the financial sector of the country, catering to diverse customer segments in the corporate, SME and retail sectors. We have 25% shareholding in IPDC.
In 2017:
Loan portfolio grew by 75%, while total customer base doubled and geographic reach increased to 40 districts.
Financial performance:
Profit after tax increased by 10.7% to BDT 335 million.
BRAC IT Services
Innovative, end-to-end technology solutions. We have 51% shareholding of BRAC IT Services.
In 2017:
Transitioned away from BRAC Bank into becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of BRAC. sbiCloud, the microfinance solution, was successfully implemented in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Financial performance:
Net profit BDT 60 million.
Maya Apa
A mobile-based digital wellbeing assistant that combines AI and real doctors to connect users to experts when they are looking for advice. We have 20.3% shareholding of Maya Apa.
In 2017:
Became the first Bangladeshi start-up to be accepted into Google’s Launchpad Accelerator Programme in California.
Financial performance:
Delivered close to 700,000 consultations with 400,000 monthly actives users (MAU), generating BDT 5.9 million.