The mission of Investors’ Circle is to a) catalyze the flow of capital to early stage companies that address major social and environmental problems and to b) grow and support our network of patient capital investors.  Patient capital investors recognize that the transition to sustainability requires more than investing in tomorrow’s breakthrough technologies and extraordinary growth companies.  It requires supporting minority and women entrepreneurs.  It requires investing in venture funds that target economically disadvantaged regions.  It requires investing in companies that support organic agriculture and sustainable forestry.  Patient capital includes, but is not limited to, venture capital.  Patient capital prioritizes ERR (external rate of return) and optimizes IRR (internal rate of return).  Patient capital recognizes that wealth now/philanthropy later is an inappropriate response to the challenges of the 21st century.  Patient capital recognizes that the 20% IRR benchmark is crude, based on short term phenomena, and of little relevance to the social and environmental impacts which are our drivers.

Investors' Circle acheives its mission by bringing together investors and entrepreneurs at its twice yearly venture fairs; by circulating an organized stream of investment opportunities each month; by addressing a wide variety of social and environmental challenges; by cultivating thought leadership about patient capital and early stage impact investing; by reaching out to entrepreneurs and their investors so that IC can be a more robust source of capital; and by incubating new financial instruments to make it easier to invest in mission-driven deals.

IC is one of the oldest and largest early stage investor networks in the country and the only one dedicated to accelerating the transition to a sustainable economy. From organic cotton consumer goods and inner city businesses, to environmental and medical technologies, to educational software and woman-owned businesses, no other early stage investor group in the country is devoted specifically to sustainability.

Members include high net worth individuals, venture capitalists, investment advisors, family office managers and foundation officers.

The annual fee for an individual membership is $1500 and the annual fee for an institutional membership is $3000 (which allows for up to three people on the membership). Additionally, there is a one-time initiation fee of $1000.

First, check to make sure that you are an “accredited investor”.and review our Membership Criteria. Second, download and complete the membership application.  Third, submit your membership application via email to alaforge@investorscircle.net or via fax to 415-863-1356.

We, as a community of investors, share abiding concerns and a sense of urgency to invest in ventures that are addressing environmental and social issues. Although there is no investment requirement at present, IC encourages members to invest in the companies that circulate and present at the venture fairs. Doing deals is important to continue the momentum that IC has created in the marketplace and adds value both to the companies and to our own investment process. To catalyze the flow of greater investment, we have launched the Patient Capital Collaborative (www.sustainvc.com), a pooled angel investment vehicle for IC members.

Two-thirds of IC members are individual angel investors; the other third are institutional investors.

As an IC member, you are part of a growing, nationwide movement to support the transition to a sustainable economy. You will build personal as well as co-investment relationships at members-only gatherings. You will develop your skillset and share your knowledge around impact investing.  You will be part of a community of investors who are looking out over the edge, working on new financial instruments and new corporate structures, and thinking about how to galvanize more capital into companies addressing social and environmental problems.  You will be part of a group of investors who are really putting capital and connections into companies today as well as working towards moving more capital tomorrow.

While Investors' Circle is proud to be a national - and even international network - we are also working to build strong regional presence throughout the US.  If you are looking for IC members in your area, please email alaforge@investorscircle.net.  We would be happy to connect you with members near you.

Investors' Circle members come from a wide range of backgrounds, with varied industry experiences and interests.  We would be happy to connect you with similarly-interested members.  Please email alaforge@investorscircle.net  for this information.

Since 1992, Investors’ Circle has facilitated the flow of over $134 million into more than 200 private companies and small venture funds focusing on the following: energy/environment, food/organics, health/wellness, media/education, and community development. The sector breakdown of investments can be found here.

Checks written by IC members have ranged in size from $10,000 to $5 million.  The median investment is $135,000.

Anyone can recommend companies by encouraging them to go to the “Entrepreneurs” link on the IC website. As a member of IC, you are allowed to circulate deals free of charge if you are already invested in the deal or if you are part of the management team.

Using its Angelsoft deal hosting platform, IC coordinates due diligence teams for each company that has received investor interest. This online due diligence platform is a place for investors to share their knowledge, interest levels, and general opinions about the quality of each company and investment opportunity.  IC staff also organize and host conference calls for interested IC members and companies.