Contrarian Ventures
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our ESG approach

Our ESG approach integrates the most material Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into investment assessments and portfolio management. We evaluate how companies operate and perform, focusing on how ESG factors influence their growth and long-term potential.rnrnPost-investment, we create tailored ESG roadmaps, conduct annual reporting, and drive ongoing improvement to support sustainable growth and value creation.

Portfolio rnmanagement

  • Sustainability tasks delegation internally
  • Internal sustainability follow-ups and monitoring
  • Sustainability-related accidents
  • Environmental management

GHG rnaccounting

  • Hazardous waste generation & impact on biodiversity-sensitive areas
  • Environmental performance improvement
  • Working environment

Health & safety

  • Employee surveys & employee-related data monitoring
  • Civic engagement
  • Social responsibility

Anti-bribery & corruption policies

  • Anti-bribery & corruption policies
  • Violation of international conventions
  • Governance bodies & code of conduct

Diversity & employees

  • Data management & security
  • Supply chain management
  • Governance

Impact – outcomes created by the company throughits product

We assess how companies align their strategies with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and whether impact is central to their business.rnrnThrough impact assessment workshops, we use the Theory of Change and five dimensions of impact to define how companies create measurable social or environmental value.rnrnWe believe financial success and positive impact are intrinsically linked—this drives our investment strategy and reflects our core commitment to sustainability.rnrnBy supporting companies that aim to make a difference, we ensure our impact is both meaningful and measurable, reinforcing the connection between positive change and strong financial returns.

Our impact return model
0%
Impact return If overall portfolio impact performance falls below 60% of the agreed KPIs, we do not receive any impact-linked return.
0-59% Goals achieved
u003c 30%
Impact return When overall portfolio impact performance meets or exceeds 60% but falls below 80% of the agreed KPIs, we receive up to 30% of the impact-linked return.
60-79% Goals achieved
30% u003e
Impact return If overall portfolio impact performance equals or exceeds 80% of the agreed KPIs, 30% of the impact-linked return is distributed to us.
80-100% Goals achieved

our impact rnreturn model

In Fund II, we invest in impact-driven enterprises where creating positive change is central to the business model. For each portfolio company, we agree on clear, measurable impact KPIs that reflect their mission. Our impact model directly links the achievement of these goals to the generation of portfolio returns. The better companies perform against their impact objectives, the greater the returns we generate. This ensures that strong impact performance goes hand in hand with financial outcomes, reinforcing our commitment to measurable, meaningful impact and long-term value creation.

ESG & impact integration

1
pre–investment
Negative screening and exclusion
Positive screening

Before conducting thorough due diligence, we perform negative and positive screening as part of our investment strategy. This initial screening includes an assessment of the target company’s alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and its adherence to Do ‘No Significant Harm’ (DNSH) principles, ensuring economic activity does not harm any other environmental objective. This process ensures that the company complies with our investment objectives and investment restrictions, allowing only eligible companies to proceed to the next stage of evaluation.

2
investment phase
ESG DD Questionnaire
Impact KPIs setting
Signing ESG & Impact aligned clauses

We conduct thorough ESG due diligence, using a comprehensive questionnaire to assess the target company’s sustainability practices and risks. We then establish clear impact KPIs to measure long-term contributions to environmental or social objectives. Finally, we incorporate ESG & impact-linked clauses into the investment agreements to ensure commitment to sustainability goals throughout the investment lifecycle.

3
portfolio management and active ownership
ESG & Impact Reporting
Onboarding to ESG data management platform
Assistance on further ESG & Impact journey

During portfolio management, we actively oversee the progress of ESG and impact goals by conducting regular ESG & impact reporting to track and measure performance against established KPIs. We onboard portfolio companies to our ESG data management platform, ensuring consistent tracking and transparency of their sustainability metrics. Additionally, we provide ongoing support and guidance to help portfolio companies advance their ESG & impact journey, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with our long-term sustainability objectives.

Sustainability report

SFDR

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SDGs we invest

7
Affordable & Clean energy

By 2030 Ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services.rnIncrease substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.rnEnhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology.

9
Industry innovations & Infrastructure

Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.rnBy 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities.rnEnhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public & private research and development spending.

11
Sustainable cities & Communities

By 2030:rnProvide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons.rnReduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

12
Ensure sustainable consumption & Production patterns

By 2030:rnAchieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.rnAchieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.rnSubstantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

Collaborations & Tools

Memberships & Initiatives
ESG Data management

Supported from the European Union under the InvestEU Fund.

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