WHO ARE WE?

We Create Sustainable Impact Investments for a Brighter Tomorrow

Established in 2016 by experienced impact investment pioneers, Asad Mahmood, and Michael Rauenhorst, SIMA Funds is an innovative and forward-thinking SEC-registered investment and advisory firm. With a combined experience of over two decades in impactful investing, our principals have successfully directed over $2 billion towards 250+ social enterprises spanning across 50 countries. As a field builder and double-bottom-line firm, SIMA operates across three core areas: asset management, advisory and philanthropic services, and the establishment of social businesses. SIMA was selected for the Impact Assets 50 (IA 50) in 2021 and 2022.

Our Expertise - About

Our Expertise

Driving Sustainable Impact and Financial Returns

Harnessing the Power of Impact Investing for Sustainable Change and Financial Growth.

At SIMA, our core focus is on promoting impact investments that align with financial, social, and environmental objectives. We collaborate with individual, institutional, philanthropic, and public sector investors to develop market-based opportunities that balance risk and reward. Our primary mission is to create positive economic, social, and environmental impacts by investing in well-designed funds that uplift the lives of individuals and communities at the Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP). Our key sectors of focus include solar energy, financial inclusion, and affordable housing in some of the world’s most economically disadvantaged countries.

For impact investors, we offer compelling investment prospects in leading companies that deliver both attractive financial returns and measurable impact. To advance the field of impact investing and foster emerging impact sectors, we have established the SIMA Impact Foundation. Through this foundation, we make early-stage investments to demonstrate the potential of sectors that currently lack commercial financing opportunities. Additionally, we have introduced Sow Good Investments, which aims to provide investment opportunities at a retail level with investment as small as USD 500. This platform enables individuals to invest towards building a better world while simultaneously harnessing the potential for personal wealth creation.

The SIMA Difference

Redefining Impact Investing for Lasting Change

At SIMA, we stand out in the world of impact investing through our unique approach and unwavering commitment to driving lasting change. What sets us apart is our ability to unleash the power of impact investing, transforming the traditional investment landscape into a force for positive social and environmental impact.

Our Mission 

To enhance the lives of customers at the Bottom of the Pyramid by providing demand-driven capital and advisory solutions to create and scale profitable businesses with financial, social, and environmental impact.

Our Vision

To establish social investments as a recognized asset class for investors, thereby releasing the necessary capital to foster profitable, responsible businesses that elevate the lives of low-income customers.

Our Culture

Our culture is one of our core assets. SIMA values transparency, fairness, and innovation. We strive to set an example of inclusiveness internally while focusing on serving customers, both borrowers and investors.

Our Milestones
The journey so far

2016
  • SIMA Funds founded by Asad Mahmood and Michael Rauenhorst.
2017
  • Launched $90M Off-Grid Solar and Financial Access Senior Debt Fund (Fund I).
  • Developed the first off-grid solar industry code of conduct, adopted by GOGLA.
  • Avoided an estimated 38K+ metric tons of CO2 emissions, provided energy access to 50K+ individuals, and supported 2.4K+ jobs.
2018
  • Founded Taleem Education Finance Company.
  • Avoided an estimated 2.89M metric tons of CO2 emissions, provided energy access to 3.94M individuals and 79K+ households, and supported 8.7K+ jobs, including 2.6K+ female jobs.
2019
  • Completed first Islamic financing for the Off-Grid Solar and Financial Access Senior Debt Fund.
  • Avoided an estimated 6.19M metric tons of CO2 emissions, provided energy access to 8.45M individuals and 1.69M households, and supported 28K+ jobs, including 10.4K+ female jobs.
2020
  • Launched SIMA Impact Foundation.
  • Launched the Emerging Distributor Finance Fund (EDFF).
  • Raised $90.98M for the Off-Grid Solar and Financial Access Senior Debt Fund.
  • Avoided an estimated 9.68M metric tons of CO2 emissions, provided energy access to 13.25M individuals and 2.65M households, and supported 48.6K+ jobs, including 18.4K+ female jobs.
2021
  • Founded Asaan Ghar Finance Limited (AGFL).
  • Launched a scholarship program under SIMA Impact Foundation.
  • Selected for ImpactAssets’ IA 50 Emerging Fund Managers 2021.
  • Launched $90M Energy Access Relief Fund (EARF).
  • Raised $20M and disbursed $14.84M to EARF portfolio companies.
  • Avoided an estimated 13.63M metric tons of CO2 emissions, provided energy access to 18.66M individuals and 3.89M households, and supported 83.8K+ jobs, including 30K+ female jobs.
2022
  • Selected for ImpactAssets’ IA 50 Emerging Fund Managers 2022.
  • Cumulatively disbursed $137.57M to Off-Grid Solar and Financial Access Senior Debt Fund portfolio companies and marked the official close of the fund.
  • Raised $2.61M for EDFF.
  • Reached $61.9M fundraising target for EARF and cumulatively disbursed $56.39M.
  • EARF portfolio companies grew to 97.
  • Avoided an estimated 20.42M metric tons of CO2 emissions, provided energy access to 26M individuals and 5.9M households, and supported 130K+ jobs, including 46.4K+ female jobs.
  • Launched the Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Solar Green Bond.
  • Provided $15,000+ in financial assistance through SIMA Impact Foundation’s scholarship program.
2023
  • Recognized among Real Leaders Impact Awards 2023.
    Introduced Sow Good Investment 
  • Organized the Kitchen Table Gathering for the off-grid solar industry.
  • Reached $176.75M fundraising target and cumulatively disbursed $228.9M to portfolio companies.
  • Portfolio companies grew to 130+, spanning 20+ countries in Asia and Africa.
  • Cumulatively disbursed $3.61M to EDFF portfolio companies 
  • Reached $83.17M fundraising target for EARF, cumulatively disbursed $87.6M, and marked the official close of the fund.
  • Raised $131M out of $160M for the Commercial and Industrial (C&I) Solar Green Bond in its first closing.
  • Avoided an estimated 24.73M metric tons of CO2 emissions, provided energy access to 31.85M individuals and 6.63M households, and supported 155.8K+ jobs, including 55.9K+ female jobs.
  • Provided $25,000+ in financial assistance through SIMA Impact Foundation’s scholarship program.
  • AGFL reached PKR 200M+ portfolio and was recognized among Real Leaders Impact Awards 2023.
2024
  • Honored to be named among the finalists for Reuters Events’ Sustainable Business Awards 2024.
  • Selected for ImpactAssets’ IA 50 Emerging Fund Managers 2024. 
  • Recognized among Real Leaders of Impact Investing 2024
  • Launched inaugural seven-year impact report (2017-2023).
  • Reached $175M in Assets Under Management (AUM) and $400M in financing capacity.
  • Raised $145M out of the $160M target for C&I Solar Green Bond.
About - EARF funding

“EARF funding has been timely, helping us not retrench any employees but stay afloat. Without the funding, we would have definitely closed the business. With the help of EARF, all the women sales agents were able to take care of their families.”

Sharon Yeti, CEO, PowerLive Zimbabwe

Empowering Impact Through Numbers

$240M+

Deployed in Investments Across 20+ Countries

20M+

Estimated Tons of CO2 Emissions Avoided

100+

Years of Combined Industry Experience

$2.3B+

Deployed in Impact by SIMA's Visionary Principals

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Our Impact Partners

At SIMA Funds, we are proud to collaborate with a diverse range of innovative and purpose-driven ventures that are making a positive impact in various sectors. Through our investment and support, we strive to empower these sustainable ventures to create meaningful change in their communities and beyond.