The investment journey
Every opportunity moves clockwise through eight stages, from the first idea to returns and exit. The route and timing depend on the project, and a review can lead to revision or a decision not to proceed.
Exit can lead to reinvestment, if the investor chooses
1. Ideation
Define the business idea, asset or market need and the initial funding requirement.
2. Assessment
Review demand, the business model, sponsor capabilities and proposed use of capital. Each opportunity is presented as a chance to own a stake, through shares or a share of capital returns. Every opportunity sits in its own special purpose vehicle (SPV) with clear general legal investment conditions.
3. Due diligence
Examine the commercial, financial, legal and technical evidence relevant to the project.
4. Structuring
Agree the proposed vehicle, funding terms, investor rights, governance and exit arrangements.
5. Deployment
Release capital in accordance with agreed conditions and milestones.
6. Monitoring
Track performance, reporting, cash flows and material risks.
7. Returns
Distribute eligible proceeds according to project performance and agreed terms.
8. Exit and reinvestment
Follow the agreed exit route; consider reinvestment only where the investor chooses to do so.
Structures are set project by project
There is no single investment product or standard set of terms. Examples from the DRC pipeline:
- Equipment leasing: a project special-purpose vehicle (SPV) owns equipment and leases it to an operating business.
- Real estate: a property SPV holds the asset, with income dependent on occupancy, operating costs and agreed arrangements.
- Private credit: an appropriately authorised lending entity provides working capital to qualifying borrowers.
- Agriculture: a project vehicle supports production, processing or distribution, subject to validated operating economics.
- Energy and infrastructure: a project company develops assets supported by feasibility, permits and commercial agreements.
- Mineral projects: structures depend on verified rights, technical evidence, counterparties and responsible sourcing controls.
Before an investment is offered, its documents should set out the instrument, minimum participation, funding schedule, use of proceeds, fees, governance, investor rights, reporting, distribution rules and exit route. These terms have not been finalised.
Where proceeds could come from
There are no standard yields, minimums or holding periods. Indicative terms are set project by project and shown on an opportunity only once its sponsor’s figures have been reviewed. Revenue drivers are not investor returns.
| Sector | Potential source of proceeds |
|---|---|
| Agriculture and processing | Crop sales and processing margins, after relevant costs. |
| Real estate | Rental or hospitality income and possible disposal proceeds. |
| Trade finance and private credit | Interest and fees, subject to defaults, costs and applicable authorisation. |
| Equipment leasing | Lease payments and residual equipment value. |
| Energy | Power purchase payments or infrastructure service fees. |
| Mineral aggregation | Trading margins subject to quality, pricing, custody and settlement controls. |
| Exploration | Potential future project value; exploration may produce no economic resource. |
Any future return figures will state their assumptions, time horizon, fees, taxes, currency exposure and downside scenarios.