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- Proven Business Model: Operational costs covered by consulting and interest income since the first year, building a solid 5-year track record.
- Measurable Impact: Over 70 smallholder farmer organizations supported, increasing their revenues.
- Growing Portfolio: Currently managing a diversified portfolio worth over USD 30 million, with investees across 12 countries in Latin America and Africa.
- Market Potential: Financing needs along sustainable agriculture supply chains increasing due to volatile prices and tightening regulations.
- Valuable Expertise: Sector focus and collaboration with key actors in sustainable supply chains to mitigate credit risk and minimize cost, enabling attractive returns.
"FairCapital delivers impact and top returns, based on strong sector knowledge and cost-effective diversification.”
Dr. Domnique Becht, Stiftung Abendrot, 2024
“I very much hope that FairCapital will succeed in attracting further investors for this urgently needed yet low-risk impact investment, so that as many small producers as possible can benefit from fair trade.”
Rolf Buser, Fairtrade Max Havelaar (Switzerland)’s first CEO, 2024
FairCapital is a mission-driven financial intermediary providing financing to smallholder farmer organizations and other actors along fair trade value chains in Latin America and Africa. To date, more than 70 high-impact organizations have been supported across three continents, with over USD 100 million in financing granted. This funding has enabled organizations to offer smallholder farmers higher prices upon delivery of their agricultural products, ensure timely payments, facilitate access to international markets, and make sound investments to strengthen their value chains.
FairCapital was founded in 2019 in Freienbach, Switzerland, by impact investing professionals Christoph Gosdenoz, Marie-Noëlle Jerschke, and Arthur Crespo. They built a team of investment professionals in Cali, Colombia. The company’s mission is to support smallholder farmers in accessing international markets and improving their conditions. By working with the Fairtrade Max Havelaar system, farmers benefit from a minimum price that protects them from market volatility and receive an additional Fairtrade premium for community development.
In 2019, FairCapital began its journey with its first impact investments in a Fairtrade certified gold mine and an integrated agribusiness sourcing from smallholder farmers in Peru. Soon after, it expanded into the coffee sector, providing financing to farmer organizations across Latin America, followed by investments in cocoa supply chains. Over time, its portfolio grew to include various agricultural products such as cashew nuts, exotic fruits, chili, and spices. One of FairCapital's key financial partners is the Swiss pension fund Stiftung Abendrot, which committed $20 million in 2019, all of which has been fully invested in FairCapital’s portfolio to date.
In response to growing interest from private individuals seeking to make impact investments, FairCapital launched the FairCapital Consumer Cooperative (Fair2C) in 2021. This initiative allows responsible consumers to support Fairtrade certified farmer organizations. Fair2C now has over 60 members, who have contributed around CHF 1 million in capital. 100% of the funds are used to offer additional short-term financing to FairCapital’s existing Fairtrade certified producers.
In 2022, FairCapital expanded beyond Latin America and ventured into Africa. It started with investments in the cocoa and cashew sectors in Ivory Coast. It later extended its operations to East Africa, setting up an investment team in Kigali, Rwanda, to strengthen its regional presence.
To facilitate investments in Fairtrade certified organizations for institutional investors, FairCapital launched the FairCapital Coffee Certificate in 2024, a bank-issued investment product exclusively focused on the coffee sector. This initiative allows qualified investors to finance coffee farmer organizations in a transparent and cost-efficient manner.
In the future, FairCapital will stay focused on improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers through the Fairtrade system. It will continue to build strong relationships with its investees and develop innovative financial products tailored to their needs. Looking ahead, FairCapital plans to further expand its scope and activities in Latin America and Africa, strengthening its impact on sustainable supply chains. Its work has been recognized by organizations like Climate Alliance Switzerland, which listed FairCapital as an impact-generating investment opportunity for pension funds. It was also highlighted by Forbes Colombia for its mission to finance agricultural enterprises, addressing liquidity challenges and fostering sustainable development in rural communities.
Investing in FairCapital presents a unique opportunity to achieve financial growth while driving positive change. Here’s what makes it stand out:
- Empowering Smallholder Farmers: Your investment directly benefits Fairtrade certified farmers in the Global South, improving their livelihoods, reducing rural poverty, and ensuring fair access to international markets.
- Building Sustainable Supply Chains: FairCapital promotes environmentally responsible agriculture and fair labor practices in key industries such as coffee, cocoa, cashews, and exotic fruits, aligning your portfolio with global sustainability goals.
- Diversified, High-Impact Portfolio: With over 70 organizations across multiple sectors, FairCapital offers a well-diversified portfolio, balancing risk while supporting high-impact organizations.
- Innovative Financial Solutions: Products like the FairCapital Coffee Certificate make it easier for institutional investors to engage in transparent, impact-driven financing.
- Strong Financial Partners: Backed by renowned institutions like Stiftung Abendrot, FairCapital has a proven business model and a solid track record in impact investing.
- Alignment with ESG Goals: FairCapital enables investors to meet Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) targets through direct involvement in sustainable and fair supply chains.
Investing in FairCapital combines financial growth with meaningful contributions to sustainable development and fair trade. Join us in creating a positive, lasting impact for smallholder farmers!
Dr. Christoph Gosdenoz, CFA, is a partner and chairman of the board at FairCapital, with over 20 years of international experience. He has worked in impact investing, entrepreneurial finance, M&A, investment analysis, and risk management, including roles at UBS and BNP Paribas. Christoph is a CFA charterholder, a Master’s from the University of Geneva, a Doctorate from Edinburgh Business School, and is fluent in English, German, French and Spanish.
Arthur Crespo is a partner at FairCapital, based in Colombia, with over 10 years of international experience. Before joining as Head of Latin America operations, he worked in impact investing, investment analysis, and capital transactions, including roles at AlphaMundi, Kiwa, and Terrafertil. Arthur holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration from HEIG-VD and a diploma in Sustainable Finance from from the University of Applied Sciences in Geneva (HEG, Switzerland). He is fluent in English, French, Spanish, and Italian.
-teamMemberFallback.png "Marie-Noëlle Jerschke")
Marie-Noëlle Jerschke is an Associate Partner and board member at FairCapital, based in Switzerland, with over 20 years of international experience. Before co-founding FairCapital, she worked in M&A, corporate finance, and business development, holding roles at JP Morgan, Groupe Danone, and LOT Airlines. Marie-Noëlle holds a Master's from HEC Paris and is fluent in English, French, German, and Polish.
Vanessa Pino is Regional Manager at FairCapital, based in Colombia. Before joining FairCapital, she worked in business development, credit management, and financial analysis, holding roles at Davivienda Bank, Incauca SA, and Cemento San Marcos. Vanessa holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration from San Buenaventura University and a diploma in Credit and Portfolio Management from ICESI. She is fluent in English and Spanish.
Damian Durrer is Regional Manager at FairCapital, based in Rwanda. He also works part-time as a Project Manager at Fairtrade Max Havelaar Switzerland. Previously, Damian was a Risk Control Analyst at UBS. He holds a Bachelor's in Economics and Finance from the University of Zurich and a Master's in Statistics from ETH Zurich. He is fluent in English and German, with proficiency in Portuguese and French.
Fabián Mendez is a Senior Financial Analyst at FairCapital, based in Colombia. Before joining FairCapital, he worked in business development, cost calculation, financial analysis, and project evaluation, with roles at Colgate-Palmolive and Icesi University. Fabián holds Bachelor's degrees in Economics and International Negotiation, and Business Administration from Icesi University. He is fluent in English and Spanish, with basic proficiency in Portuguese.
-(1)-teamMemberFallback.png "Pauline Moser")
Pauline Moser is a Business Analyst at FairCapital, based in Switzerland. Before joining FairCapital, she supported business development for a Swiss start-up focused on solar energy in emerging markets. For her bachelor’s thesis, Pauline conducted research for a Guatemalan-Swiss social enterprise. She holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration and is pursuing a Master's in Marketing Management at the University of St. Gallen. Pauline is fluent in English, French, German, and Spanish.
Andrés Alvarez is a Senior Financial Analyst at FairCapital, based in Colombia. Before joining FairCapital, he worked in business development, financial modeling, and accounting, holding roles at Colgate-Palmolive and Super Fraps SAS. Andrés holds a Bachelor's in Economics and International Negotiation from Icesi University. He studied in France at Université Paul Cezanne and École Supérieure des Sciences Commerciales d’Angers. Andrés is fluent in Spanish, English, and French, with basic proficiency in Italian.
Alexandre Guye-Bergeret is a Financial Analyst at FairCapital, based in Colombia. Before joining FairCapital, he worked in corporate finance, accounting, credit analysis, and private banking, with roles at Biz Latin Hub Group and UBS Switzerland. Alexandre holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration and is pursuing a Master's in Accounting and Corporate Finance at the University of St. Gallen. He is fluent in English, French, German, and Spanish.
Beatriz Arisala is a Financial Analyst at FairCapital, based in Colombia. Before joining FairCapital, she worked in accounting, and volunteered in rural communities in Brazil. Her previous employers include Proper Technologies and Almacenes La 14. Beatriz holds a Bachelor's in Accounting and Finance from Icesi University and completed a Finance certificate at Columbia University. She is fluent in English and Spanish, with basic proficiency in Portuguese.
Juan Felipe Ramirez is a Financial Analyst at FairCapital, based in Colombia. Before joining FairCapital, he worked in marketing, business development, brand management, market research, and financial analysis at Colgate-Palmolive’s. He holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Javeriana Cali University and a MSc in Banking and Finance from Zurich University of Applied Sciences. Juan is fluent in English and Spanish, with basic proficiency in German.
Patrick is a Financial Analyst at FairCapital, based in Rwanda. Before joining FairCapital, he worked in finance, consulting, public policy, economic analysis and modeling, compliance, and supply chain management. Former employers include Rwanda’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, the National Bank of Rwanda, UNGUKA Bank, and GIZ. Patrick holds a degree in Economics from the University of Rwanda. He is fluent in English and has a good working knowledge of French.