Press Release

CoPeace, a Certified B-Corp and Public Benefit Corporation, is building a portfolio of carefully selected for-profit companies with measurable social and environmental impact through its unique holding company structure,.

CoPeace’s marketing strategy has focused on positioning two primary product differentiators in the minds of potential investors: 1) an investment option that allows investors to align their values with their investments; and 2) a vehicle that democratizes the investment process, so people from all demographic groups, not just wealthy accredited investors, can invest directly in impact companies.

“We’re excited to be a part of this exclusive list, which highlights groundbreaking impact companies using business as a force for good,” says Craig Jonas, Founder and CEO of CoPeace.

Some highlights from this year’s IA 50:

Impact Focus: About 18% of IA 50 managers across all three lists focused on clean technology, alternative energy and climate change, making it the top impact theme. Microfinance, low-income financial services, and micro-insurance (16%) comprised the second-largest impact focus. Notably, 12% of funds selected Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion as their primary investment theme. The most represented Sustainable Development Goals cited by fund managers included Decent Work and Economic Growth (21%), No Poverty (15%), Reduced Inequality (13%) and Climate Action (9%).

Diversity and Inclusion: While asset management as a whole remains overwhelmingly non-diverse—with approximately 2% of asset managers who are Black, Indigenous or People of Color—IA 50 fund managers are leading with diversity. This is most prevalent among IA 50 Emerging Impact Managers, where 50% reported that 50% or more of their investment professionals were people of color. In addition, 60% reported more than half of their investment professionals were women.

Asset Class: IA 50 fund managers drive their focus on deep impact chiefly in private markets. Managers reported that 55% of their funds are primarily private equity, while 36% are primarily private debt. Private Equity – Early Stage (US), with 22% of all funds, is the most represented focus of managers.

Impact and Financial Return: Although impact investing can offer a range of returns—from concessionary to above-market rates of return—IA 50 managers reported delivering both positive impact and competitive investment performance. A total of 74% of IA 50 managers target market rates or above market rates of return, and 97% reported delivering either in line or above their initial target returns. Emerging Impact Managers reported similar results, with 76% of managers targeting market rates or above market rates of return and 72% delivering either in line or above their initial target returns.

In addition, 25 of the IA 50 fund managers are signatories to the Operating Principles for Impact Management—a framework for investors to ensure that impact considerations are purposefully integrated throughout the investment life cycle—and 18 of the 25 have been verified to date, according to a separate analysis by BlueMark, a provider of independent impact verification services for investors and companies.

“The caliber of this year’s IA 50 lists is a product of the rigorous application scoring and analysis process that the IA 50 Review Committee has fine-tuned through the years,” added Sandra Kartt, CFA, Managing Director, Investments, ImpactAssets. “We’re thrilled to foster the continuing growth of these unique, innovative investing approaches addressing critical issues from climate to racial equity and gender equality.”

In addition to Emerson, the IA 50 Review Committee is comprised of impact investment experts and leaders, including Lauren Booker Allen, Senior Vice President, Impact Advisory, Jordan Park Group; Mark Berryman, Managing Director of Impact Investing, The CAPROCK Group; Ronald A. Homer, Chief Strategist, Impact Investing, RBC Global Asset Management (US) Inc.; Jennifer Kenning, Senior Advisor, IA 50 Review Committee and CEO & Co-Founder, Align Impact; Karl “Charly” Kleissner, Ph.D., Co-Founder of Toniic and KL Felicitas Foundation; Justina Lai, Chief Impact Officer and Shareholder, Wetherby Asset Management; Andrew Lee, Managing Director, Global Head of Sustainable and Impact Investing, UBS Global Wealth Management; Tony Lent, Co-Founder, Capital for Climate; Malaika Maphalala, CPWA® Private Wealth Advisor, Natural Investments, LLC; Cynthia Muller, Director of Mission Investment, W.K. Kellogg Foundation; Rehana Nathoo, Founder & CEO, Spectrum Impact; Stephanie Cohn Rupp, CEO and Partner, Veris Wealth Partners; Liesel Pritzker Simmons, Co-Founder and Principal of Blue Haven Initiative; and Margret Trilli, CEO and CIO, ImpactAssets.

The ImpactAssets Investment team led by Kartt conducted the application scoring and analysis process, and collaborated with Align Impact on fund analysis.

About CoPeace 

CoPeace is a forward-thinking holding company, building a portfolio of carefully selected for-profit companies with measurable social and environmental impact. CoPeace is democratizing the investment world by allowing everyone, not just wealthy investors, to invest in private impact companies via its holding company structure.  In addition, CoPeace provides a variety of consulting services to organizations demonstrating positive social or environmental impact.

As a designated Certified B Corp and a public-benefit corporation (PBC), CoPeace is committed to acting morally, ethically and responsibly in regard to society, the environment, the natural world and the world at large

To learn more about CoPeace and how you can grow your money for good, visit copeace.com.

About the ImpactAssets 50
The IA 50 is the first publicly available database that provides a gateway into the world of impact investing for investors and their financial advisors, offering an easy way to identify experienced impact investment firms and explore the landscape of potential investment options. The IA 50 is intended to illustrate the breadth of impact investment fund managers operating today, though it is not a comprehensive list. Firms have been selected to demonstrate a wide range of impact investing activities across geographies, sectors and asset classes.

The IA 50 is not an index or investable platform and does not constitute an offering or recommend specific products. It is not a replacement for due diligence. To be considered for the IA 50 2022, fund managers needed to have at least $25 million in assets under management, more than three years of experience as a firm with impact investing, documented social and/or environmental impact and be available for US investment. Additional details on the selection process are available here.

The IA 50 Emerging Impact Managers list is intended to spotlight newer fund managers to watch that demonstrate potential to create meaningful impact. Criteria such as minimum track record or minimum assets under management may not be applicable.

The IA 50 Emeritus Impact Managers list illuminates impact fund managers who have achieved consistent recognition on the IA 50.

About ImpactAssets 

ImpactAssets is an impact investing trailblazer, dedicated to changing the trajectory of our planet’s future and improving the lives of all people. As a leading impact investing firm, we offer deep strategic expertise to help our clients define and execute on their impact goals. Founded in 2010, ImpactAssets increases flows of money to impact investing in partnership with our clients through our impact investment platform and field-building initiatives, including the IA 50 database of private debt and equity impact fund managers. ImpactAssets has more than $2 billion in assets in 1,700 donor advised fund accounts, working with purpose-driven individuals and their wealth managers, family offices, foundations and corporations. ImpactAssets is an independent 501(c)(3) organization.

DENVER (Date) – CoPeace, a diversified holding company that invests in growing companies demonstrating both positive measurable social and environmental impact and strong fiscal health, announced today a presenting sponsorship of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Guardians of the Game Awards for Advocacy and Service.  The awards will be presented on April 1 in New Orleans during the NABC Convention Opening Ceremony.

Guardians of the Game is a national awareness and education program of the NABC.  The goal of the program is to focus attention on the positive aspects of basketball and the important role coaches play in the lives of student-athletes and in their communities.

The sponsorship is an ideal fit for CoPeace and its subsidiary CoPeace Sport.  The two organizations have jointly announced a new “Coaching for Impact” package which will be unveiled at the Men’s Final Four.  The package was designed to make it easier for coaches to participate in a variety of activities for good.  “Coaching for Impact” will help coaches align their personal values with sustainable impact opportunities, while boosting their brand equity in the process.

“We are honored to be partnering with the NABC on their Guardians of the Game Awards for advocacy and service, shedding light on the importance of bringing college basketball and societal impact together on a grand scale,” says Craig Jonas, Founder and CEO of CoPeace.

The NABC has long encouraged basketball coaches to serve the greater community in ways that elevate moral, ethical and educational values.  As such, the partnership with CoPeace is a natural fit.

“The NABC and CoPeace share a mutual commitment to make an impact off the court,” said NABC Executive Director, Craig Robinson. “We are grateful for the support of CoPeace to elevate our NABC Guardians of the Game Awards.”

CoPeace is presenting the NABC Guardians of the Game Award for Service to Mike Shult, Edgewood College Director of Basketball Operations.  Shult has made a lifetime of impact on Coaches vs. Cancer, the joint initiative between the NABC and the American Cancer Society that to date has raised over $140 million in the fight against cancer.  He is a founding member of the Coaches vs. Cancer Wisconsin Board of Ambassadors – a chapter that has raised more than $8.8 million and annually holds the largest Coaches vs. Cancer Gala in the country.  Shult also serves on the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network and North Region Volunteer Cabinet.

The winner of the NABC Guardians of the Game Award for Advocacy presented by CoPeace is Ohio Wesleyan head coach Mike DeWitt.  DeWitt has been an instrumental voice in Division III basketball during his 23 years on the Ohio Wesleyan sidelines, serving terms on the NCAA DIII Men’s Basketball Regional Advisory Committee and DIII Men’s Basketball Selection Committee. In the 2012-13 season, DeWitt was chair of the selection committee, leading the group’s oversight of the selection process and championship operations.

About CoPeace and CoPeace Sports

CoPeace is a forward-thinking holding company, building a portfolio of carefully selected for-profit companies with measurable social and environmental impact. CoPeace is democratizing the investment world by allowing everyone, not just wealthy investors, to invest in private impact companies via its holding company structure.  As a designated Certified B Corp and a public-benefit corporation (PBC), CoPeace is committed to acting morally, ethically and responsibly in regard to society, the environment, the natural world and the world at large

CoPeace Sport PBLLC (CoSpo) assists athletes, coaches, and sport organizations in maximizing their ability to positively impact society.  CoSpo uses expertise in sport, media, marketing, and finance to increase clients’ brand equity and aligns personal and organizational values with sustainable impact opportunities.

To learn more about CoPeace and CoPeace Sport, and how you can grow your money for good, visit copeace.com.

About the NABC 

The National Association of Basketball Coaches was founded in 1927 by Phog Allen, the legendary coach at the University of Kansas. Allen, a student of James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, organized coaches into this collective group to serve as Guardians of the Game. Guided by the core values of leadership, advocacy, service, education and inclusion, the NABC works to further the best interests of the game of basketball and the players and coaches who participate in the sport. Nearly 5,000 coaches representing all levels of collegiate, scholastic and youth basketball hold NABC memberships. For more information about the NABC, visit nabc.com

DENVER – CoPeace, an impact investing and services company targeting social and environmental problems, and Cornell University’s Social Enterprise Group at Cornell (SEGC) announced a consulting and researching relationship on Thursday.

SEGC is an undergraduate student organization dedicated to delivering market-driven solutions for social and environmental issues.  SEGC will be conducting research and analysis projects relative to two specific CoPeace targets: financial advisors and university endowment directors. These project findings will grant competitive access towards impact investing solutions.

“We are thrilled to begin a relationship with SEGC,” said CoPeace CEO Craig Jonas.  “Part of our mission is to engage young people with our impact investing and services company and help develop the next generation of leaders in sustainable business and investing practices.”

SEGC works with a variety of clients that are committed to developing market-driven solutions to multiple social, environmental and economic ills.  SEGC’s student consultants come from varied backgrounds but share a like-minded passion for making the world a better place.

“We are thankful for this opportunity to work with a growing impact company like CoPeace,” said SEGC project manager Apoorva Kumar.  “We’re excited to help CoPeace build awareness of the long-term social, environmental and economic benefits that impact investing entails.”

The initial CoPeace-SEGC consulting agreement runs through the end of 2021.

CoPeace is a diversified ESG impact holding company which invests in growing companies demonstrating positive measurable impact and strong fiscal health. Through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, CoFi (CoPeace Finance), CoMa (CoPeace Marketing), and CoSpo (CoPeace Sport), CoPeace offers a wide range of business, marketing, financial, and operational services to for-profit companies demonstrating positive environmental or social impact.

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About CoPeace

CoPeace is a forward-thinking holding company, building a portfolio of carefully selected for-profit companies with measurable social and environmental impact. CoPeace is democratizing the investment world by allowing everyone, not just wealthy investors, to invest in private impact companies via its holding company structure.

As a designated Certified B Corp and a public-benefit corporation (PBC), CoPeace is committed to acting morally, ethically and responsibly in regard to society, the environment, the natural world and the world at large

To learn more about CoPeace and how you can grow your money for good, visit copeace.com.

DENVER – CoPeace entered into a strategic partnership agreement with Compost Colorado (CoCo) to provide impact and business expertise and investment, the organizations announced Wednesday. CoPeace, through its subsidiaries, CoPeace Finance (CoFi) and CoPeace Marketing (CoMa), will provide financial, marketing, and operational support and services to Compost Colorado. Additionally, CoPeace will add CoCo to its strategic investment portfolio of holdings.

“We’re excited to partner with Compost Colorado,” CoPeace COO and CFO, Ed Tepper said. “They are offering a transformational business model and unique service offering that has direct, sustainable impact in the Colorado community. Our team looks forward to helping CoCo optimize operations, grow its market reach, and expand its environmental and social impact.”

Founded in 2018, Compost Colorado provides at-home compost pick-up, turning food waste, paper products, and plant materials into living soil. CoCo offers an easy and accessible way for anyone to participate in reducing greenhouse gases, reducing the reliance on landfills, and supporting the local community. CoCo’s innovative ‘bucket swap’ model leverages their collection routes to integrate a sustainable delivery service, allowing members to conveniently shop on their online store to source local, eco-friendly products.

“We’re very honored for the opportunity to learn and grow with CoPeace,” Compost Colorado founder and CEO Vann Fussell said. “CoCo grew over 300% in 2020! By working closely with CoPeace, we will develop internally and position ourselves to grow for the long-term future. We’re excited to work with a team just as tenacious and focused on fighting climate change.”

The agreement also includes equity stake in Compost Colorado, further aligning the mission and vision of both companies. CoCo becomes the sixth company of the CoPeace holding company portfolio with the strategic investment.

CoPeace is a diversified ESG impact holding company which invests in growing companies demonstrating positive measurable impact and strong fiscal health. Through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, CoFi, CoMa, and CoSpo (CoPeace Sport), CoPeace offers a wide range of business, marketing, financial, and operational services to for-profit companies demonstrating positive environmental or social impact.

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About CoPeace

CoPeace is a forward-thinking holding company, building a portfolio of carefully selected for-profit companies with measurable social and environmental impact. CoPeace is democratizing the investment world by allowing everyone, not just wealthy investors, to invest in private impact companies via its holding company structure.

As a designated Certified B Corp and a public-benefit corporation (PBC), CoPeace is committed to acting morally, ethically and responsibly in regard to society, the environment, the natural world and the world at large

To learn more about CoPeace and how you can grow your money for good, visit copeace.com.

DENVER – The 2021 Major League Baseball All-Star Week concluded Tuesday in Denver, Colo. Vlad Guerrero Jr. trotted the bases of Coors Field, as a sold-out crowd, celebrated his solo homerun, en route to being named the youngest All-Star Game MVP in league history.

Outside the walls of Coors Field, dozens of organizations shared information about voting rights laws and social equality around the country. The topic became the focus of attention in the months leading up to the 2021 MLB All-Star Game. The game, and its surrounding week-long celebration, were pulled from host-city Atlanta in early April as protest against Georgia’s new law that limits voting access in the state.

CoPeace is proudly located in Colorado and part of the Good Business Colorado organization, dedicated to building a prosperous economy, equitable communities, and a sustainable environment for all Colorado residents. With some of the most progressive mail-in and voter ID regulation in the country, Colorado and its constituents continue to improve access to civic engagement.

CoPeace Sport, or CoSpo, similarly harnesses the power of sport for good, through partnerships and projects designed to achieve lasting positive impact on the community. One of CoSpo’s proprietary tools is Valuation of Impact Brand Equity, or VIBE™. VIBE is designed to place a relative-value score on an athlete’s positive impact on society.

An athlete’s VIBE™ score is only one aspect of their overall brand, but it can significantly impact an athlete’s overall brand equity. VIBE™ scores are based on publicly available information regarding an athlete’s socio-cultural and environmental impact on society — for example, impact activities on global/societal issues, philanthropic work, endorsements, athlete-produced content via traditional and social media, etc.

Throughout the All-Star event, CoSpo highlighted several athletes that are also having an impact off the field. Guerrero Jr., the game MVP, earned a VIBE score of 59.7. Pete Alonso, winner of the Home Run Derby, scored 55.2 on the VIBE scale. For more information about VIBE and CoPeace visit copeace.com.

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About CoPeace

CoPeace is a forward-thinking holding company, building a portfolio of carefully selected for-profit companies with measurable social and environmental impact. CoPeace is democratizing the investment world by allowing everyone, not just wealthy investors, to invest in private impact companies via its holding company structure.

As a designated Certified B Corp and a public-benefit corporation (PBC), CoPeace is committed to acting morally, ethically and responsibly in regard to society, the environment, the natural world and the world at large

To learn more about CoPeace and how you can grow your money for good, visit copeace.com.

DENVER – CoPeace, a diversified holding company that invests in growing companies demonstrating positive measurable impact and strong fiscal health, announced today an agreement with Equa LLC to provide a user-friendly equity management and transfer agent platform for the company and its investors.

Equa, the leading immutable governance platform that scales from organizational formation to day-to-day investment management, is a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registered transfer agent that allows company founders and investors alike to manage ownership rights throughout a company’s lifecycle.

The company leverages blockchain technology to track and secure agreements and their digital signatures, while also reducing the friction associated with onboarding investors and transferring ownership.  Moreover, Equa utilizes a sleek and intuitive UI/UX that eases the process of drafting, issuing, and transferring convertible instruments, option grants, preferred stock and common stock.

“Equa’s equity management platform and transfer agent services are thoughtfully-designed, well-executed, and effectively-aligned with our requirements,” said CoPeace COO & CFO Ed Tepper.  “The intuitive user experience, outstanding client support, and security features afforded by the use of blockchain technology make Equa a solid choice to support our growth plans.”

As a holding company, CoPeace utilizes investor capital to purchase controlling interest in complementary, purpose-driven subsidiaries with innovative, marketable concepts and a strong leadership team.  CoPeace subsidiaries have measurable impact in combating world problems and are projected to have positive growth and potential target returns.

“Equa is thrilled to be working alongside CoPeace as it strives to help democratize the investment process into companies that look to improve the human condition,” said Equa Vice President of Business Development, Sten Wie, Ph.D.  “The goals of Equa are very much aligned with CoPeace as we look to implement technology to bake in transparency and consent into the world of cooperation and ownership.”

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About CoPeace

CoPeace is a forward-thinking holding company, building a portfolio of carefully selected for-profit companies with measurable social and environmental impact. CoPeace is democratizing the investment world by allowing everyone, not just wealthy investors, to invest in private impact companies via its holding company structure.

As a designated Certified B Corp and a public-benefit corporation (PBC), CoPeace is committed to acting morally, ethically and responsibly in regard to society, the environment, the natural world and the world at large

To learn more about CoPeace and how you can grow your money for good, visit copeace.com.

About Equa

Equa is the leading immutable governance platform that scales with your organization from formation to day-to-day governance, facilitating dynamic document and cap table management, easy equity distribution, investment, issuance, and more. Designed for founders, executives, and shareholders at high growth startup and blockchain companies regardless of corporate structure or legal status, Equa integrates across solutions and digital equities or currencies for seamless management across organizational transactions and agreements. Unlike traditional point-solutions for formation management and administration, Equa’s comprehensive governance solutions are designed for tomorrow’s executives and owners who demand transactional speed and ease-of-access without sacrificing document and agreement security and integrity.

To learn more about Equa and its services, visit www.equa.global.

DENVER – CoPeace, a diversified holding company that invests in growing companies demonstrating positive measurable impact and strong fiscal health, announced today a presenting sponsorship of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Guardians of the Game Awards for Advocacy & Service. CoPeace will also be a sponsor of the “John McLendon – Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities” coaches clinic. Both events will take place during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship in Indianapolis the week of March 29-April 2.

The Guardians of the Game is a national awareness and education program of the NABC. The goal of the program is to focus attention on the positive aspects of basketball and the important role coaches play in the lives of student-athletes as well as positively impacting their communities.

The sponsorship is an ideal fit for CoPeace, which has launched a “sport for good” initiative that helps coaches, athletes and sports organizations utilize their platforms and maximize their ability to positively impact society. For coaches in particular, CoPeace’s impact measurement and business development services can help align their personal values with sustainable impact opportunities, while boosting their brand equity in the process.

“Nelson Mandela said, ‘Sport has the power to change the world,’ and I fully agree,” said CoPeace CEO Craig Jonas. “As a former college head basketball coach, and long-time sports executive, I believe coaches deeply affect the lives of young people, as well as the wider communities in which they serve. To have the opportunity to be associated with the NABC and these outstanding honorees is a no-brainer for us at CoPeace as we work to make our world a better place through the business of sport.”

Similarly, the NABC sees the partnership with CoPeace as representing another positive opportunity for its membership to effectively impact society. The NABC has long encouraged basketball coaches to serve the greater community in ways that elevate moral, ethical and educational values.

“The NABC is excited to evolve our relationship with CoPeace, with whom we share many common core values,” said Craig Robinson, NABC Executive Director. “This partnership will enhance the NABC Convention and the NABC Guardians of the Game Awards program, and in doing so, further elevate coaches who make a difference on and off the court.”

The John McLendon clinic “Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities,” presented by CoPeace and led by Jerry Krause and Ralph Pim, is especially pertinent in 2021, following a year in which everyone has faced personal and professional challenges. McLendon, who was a student of Dr. James Naismith at the University of Kansas, is the first college coach in history to win three consecutive national championships.  He was a basketball innovator, ambassador for the game and a pioneer in integrating the sport of basketball.

After having passionately led the push for increased voting education and civic engagement among coaches and players leading up to the 2020 election, Georgia Tech’s associate head coach Eric Reveno was named the winner of the NABC Guardians of Game Award for Service, presented by CoPeace. Reveno was the driving force behind the NCAA’s new rule establishing federal Election Day as a required day off from practice and competition for NCAA teams in all sports.

Moreover, Reveno’s tireless efforts were also a key factor in the establishment of the Coaches’ Voter Engagement Pledge, which encouraged sports programs to publicly commit to registering 100 percent of their eligible student-athletes. Over 1000 college basketball coaches took the pledge, which directly impacted 8,000 student-athletes.

“I’ve always been excited about building championship teams,” said Reveno, “For me, something clicked that night (of our team meeting) that we’re all one big team. Our democracy is dependent on us being great teammates. In hindsight, I’m extremely satisfied that we were able to create something that moved the needle.”

The winner of the NABC Guardians of the Game Award for Advocacy sponsored by CoPeace is University of Colorado head coach Tad Boyle. Boyle has long been committed to making the game of college basketball as good as it can be. He has served in an exemplary manner as the Pac-12’s congressman for the NCAA and most recently as the chair of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Rules Committee.

“I’ve been working with the Rules Committee a long time and we have had a number of coaches who have been strong leaders as the chair. Tad Boyle is one of the best,” said NCAA Men’s Basketball Secretary-Rules Editor Art Hyland.

About CoPeace

CoPeace is a forward-thinking holding company, building a portfolio of carefully selected for-profit companies with measurable social and environmental impact. CoPeace is democratizing the investment world by allowing everyone, not just wealthy investors, to invest in private impact companies via its holding company structure.

As a designated Certified B Corp and a public-benefit corporation (PBC), CoPeace is committed to acting morally, ethically and responsibly in regard to society, the environment, the natural world and the world at large.

For more information about CoPeace and how you can grow your money for good, visit copeace.com.