NESsT Peru will incubate more social enterprises in 2022 | ECONOMY

NESsT is an organization that has invested in companies with social and environmental impact in Peru for more than 10 years. “Our job is to provide services to the enterprises that are part of our portfolio and, at the same time, provide them with financing through loans, donations and revolving donations”, explains Isabel Castillo, its director.

Currently, the portfolio of ventures of NESsT is made up of 25 startups, of which 15 are in the Peruvian Amazon.

“The pandemic affected the logistics chain of several enterprises, especially those in the jungle. And also those related to tourism, for example. However, everyone has managed to overcome this bump “, Add.

Among the startups of NESsT In Peru there are the sustainable fishing companies Pesco and SFT, the Inka Moss company —which has recently exported Peruvian moss to Asia—, the hotel focused on receptive tourism Llama Pack, the Amazonian ventures Choco Warmis and Ampi Sacha. Also the clothing store Quirky and Pixed, which develops prosthetics with 3D printing technology.

“Several companies suffered a hit in their sales as a result of COVID-19 that they have already managed to overcome. This is partly due to the market niche they are targeting as consumers are more cautious and much more responsible for their purchases and their impact. We are seeing a structural change in the way of acquiring products and services ”, Castillo states.

“Now the consumer demands much more and is more responsible. That is the demand that triple impact ventures that generate positive changes in the ecosystem seek to satisfy “, Add.

NESsT It has an investment fund from which it places the capital for companies. Castillo indicates that, although the organization does not seek to have participation in the shareholders of the ventures, they do request a place on the board of directors.

The social organization makes loans, donations, and revolving grants ranging from US $ 50,000 to US $ 500,000. The goal for next year is to reach between 10 and 15 more start-ups to form and take them to be part of the incubation program.