<article><a href="https://www.dealstreetasia.com/?s=One+to+Watch" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">One to Watch</a>, a Nepal-based impact investor, is setting up a Myanmar-focused vehicle which will be launched in the second half this year, a top executive told DEALSTREETASIA.</article>

<a href="https://www.dealstreetasia.com/?s=One+to+Watch" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">One to Watch</a>, a Nepal-based impact investor, is setting up a Myanmar-focused vehicle which will be launched in the second half this year, a top executive told DEALSTREETASIA.
The impact investor is targeting a size in the seven-digit dollar range [lower end]. The fund is looking to invest in companies that are dedicated to creating community impact.
“We aim to invest in the missing middle with investments between $100,000 and $500,000 (in each company),” said Robbert Groenen, Myanmar country director, One to Watch.
Backers of One to Watch include the Dutch Good Growth Fund (DGGF) that provides financial assistance to support the private sector in developing countries.
The Myanmar fund could be modeled on the lines of One to Watch in Nepal, where it manages two vehicles: Nepal Impact Investment Community 1 (NIIC 1), and Nepal Impact Investment Community 2 (NIIC 2).
Groenen said, the fund in Myanmar will probably be structured as a non-banking financial institution without a close end.
The fund aims to offer capital to growth stage companies and may also consider structures such as mezzanine financing.
Groenen said, the fund would show a preference towards sectors that address basic needs such as agriculture, healthcare, clean energy and education.
As a precursor to setting up the fund, One to Watch is currently running Enterprise, a 12-week mentorship–based business accelerator programme that is hosting 10 companies from Myanmar.
“Through the accelerator, we are developing our pipeline of investible companies. Apart from just generating the pipeline, it also helps us to set up our own fund,” said Groenen.
The 10 companies participating in One to Watch’s 2019 cohort are Techno-Hill Engineering Co Ltd, Pro Niti Travel, Shan Maw Myae, The Croft Organic Farm, ConceptX, Fairy Land Co Ltd, Mickey’s Real Wood Upcycled Furniture, MyanCare, Klenic and Future Glory.
May Phyu Thwe, founder, The Craft Organic Farm, who is participating at the accelerator programme, said, she is hoping to get connected with the international community network. The Craft has about five acres of organic farmland in Pyin Oo Lwin where vegetables, coffee and fruits are grown. While also currently producing value added products from the organic farm, the company is aiming to get an export market for its products.
While Enterprise accelerator is running in Yangon, the team is also aiming to hold courses on business essentials in cities outside Yangon.
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One to Watch, a Nepal-based impact investor, setting up Myanmar-focused vehicle which will be launched in 2nd half this year, targeting a size in 7-digit dollar range.

Impact investor One to Watch to set up Myanmar-focused fund

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Impact investor One to Watch to set up Myanmar-focused fund

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