In the realm of finance and investment, impact investing is gaining momentum, combining financial returns with positive social and environmental impact. Nexus, an organization dedicated to utilising the voluntary carbon markets and impact investing to finance climate action in Cambodia and Southeast Asia, is leading the charge in serving underserved communities and fostering sustainable change. Join us as we delve into the remarkable journey of Choronai, an Investment Analyst at Nexus, to learn more about her inspiring story.
Can you tell us about your background and how you ended up at Nexus?
Certainly! I come from Siem Reap and have a degree in Economics from Bangladesh. After completing my studies, I pursued a master’s degree in Finance and Investment from the UK. Upon my return in October 2023, I wanted to put my finance skills into benefiting my country, particularly underserved communities. That is when I found out about Nexus’s mission to serve marginalized communities and decided to be a part of Nexus to drive that mission.
What does your role at Nexus entail?
As an investment analyst at Nexus, my primary responsibility is to review potential pipeline companies for investment. I carefully analyze their financial statements, engage in discussions with the management teams, and conduct due diligence to ensure that their goals align with our impact investing focus. Additionally, I actively participate in networking events, staying updated on sectors such as water, energy, and impact funds.
What are some of the goals you aim to achieve at Nexus?
Our main goal is to finance climate action across Southeast Asia. In my team, our focus is to increase funding to more impactful companies via debt financing (loans). Currently, we target around 6-7 loans, each with a comprehensive investment process that takes 3-6 months to complete. Our team is currently in a period of growth, we have secured new investments into our primary fund – the Pioneer Facility and this means we need additional analysts to support our expanding pipeline. We are actively seeking talented individuals who share our passion for impact investing.
Could you elaborate on the types of projects Nexus funds?
Nexus has two funds. Our priority fund is the Pioneer Facility, and we also act as a field partner for Kiva, the world’s largest crowd-funding platform. :. The Pioneer Facility focuses on growth-stage companies, offering funding between $50,000 and $500,000. Our current focus areas include clean energy, clean water, and waste management. We are also expanding our investments to include agriculture and promoting gender lens investments.
The Kiva Loan ranges from $10,000 to $50,000 and supports companies with a proven track record of approximately two years, providing them with working capital.
What do you enjoy most about working at Nexus?
There are several aspects I truly appreciate about working at Nexus. Firstly, the opportunity to engage with top management of companies and gain insights into their internal business models and financials. I have a natural curiosity, and being able to challenge numbers presented in financial statements is an integral part of my work. Furthermore, the collaborative nature of Nexus is truly inspiring. The team fosters open communication, and we constantly learn from each other’s experiences. Nexus values continuous improvement, and even after 10 years of establishment, they seek fresh perspectives to enhance our due diligence processes and overall efficiency.
What has been your proudest achievement at Nexus so far?
Although I have only been with Nexus for three months, I am proud of the progress I have made. One particular achievement stands out: I was involved in a waste management project, and after several meetings and thorough research, I was able to draft a pre-screening report independently. This experience allowed me to delve into a field I knew little about initially and contribute meaningfully to the project.
How would you describe the work environment and culture at Nexus?
The office is adorned with plants, creating a pleasant and calming atmosphere. The team is highly collaborative, making time to show me around and support me when I first joined. We even organize weekly team sports activities, like badminton (I’m just a beginner!).
Nexus has a set of core values, including positivity, accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and trust. These values are not just written on paper; they are actively practised in our weekly meetings for instance, where we share our priorities and recommendations, even if they don’t directly impact the work of members of other departments.
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Original interview conducted by freelance recruitment consultant Antoine Denizart