Ameya Bijoor

Ameya is a Partner at Encourage Capital

1) What was your inspiration for working in social impact investing?

My inspiration for working in social and environmental impact investing traces back to a deep-rooted commitment to service that formed at an early age. While I can't pinpoint a moment that fueled this drive, it has always stemmed from a quest for meaning in my professional endeavors. This service culture was crystallized in high school through leadership roles and volunteer activities. Notre Dame further instilled a faith-based approach to service, emphasizing the importance of giving back.

During college, I participated in a volunteer project in underserved communities in Appalachia, which combined my academic pursuits with practical, meaningful work. Following my degree, I initially started my career in accounting with an internship at Arthur Andersen. The firm supported my other interests and allowed me to defer full-time employment to spend an enlightening volunteer year with AmeriCorps, where I worked to bridge the technology gap in Silicon Valley. I was compelled to find work that held a greater purpose for me.

Today, I work on investing to enable sustainable growth in small businesses and underserved communities. These businesses often struggle to secure funding, yet they are crucial for economic and sustainable development. Climate change, a pressing global challenge with escalating impacts, has also become central to my work. Creating a more inclusive financial system that supports everyone while addressing environmental issues remains imperative. I believe that by providing financial solutions, such as loans to underprivileged families, we can simultaneously promote economic stability and climate resilience.

2) What is your proudest accomplishment?

One of my proudest accomplishments was in October 2020, when Encourage Capital successfully raised an impact investment fund to make finance accessible for small businesses in India, specifically for investments in rooftop solar. This achievement marked a significant milestone for our firm and our team, and I am immensely proud to have been a part of it. 

This initiative, which lies "at the intersection of financial inclusion and climate," carries profound meaning for me personally and professionally. It allowed me to contribute to meaningful work in India that resonates deeply with my family history—my grandfather was a public sector banker in India, and my father is an engineer specializing in renewables. Professionally, I feel fortunate to collaborate with an extraordinarily talented team and have the backing of outstanding investors committed to our mission.

This project is not just a financial transaction–it's about creating products with real, tangible impacts. We raised funds from families, institutions, and governments and took on the responsibility to invest that money wisely to generate a positive impact. Often, 80% of emissions in various industries come from supply chains, which are predominantly made up of small businesses. While the focus is generally on large emitters, addressing the needs of smaller companies is equally crucial, and financial inclusion has a critical role to play here. 

3) How did you get your first opportunity in your field?

My first opportunity in my field came about through a combination of hustle, networks, patience, and luck, each opportunity building on the prior one. Before I graduated from college, I gained varied work experiences, including positions in local offices in my hometown, a deli, tennis camps, and even a multinational company in its Russian office. These roles gave me valuable skills and insights, leading to a summer internship at Arthur Andersen.

Fortuitously, when I started at Arthur Andersen, I was assigned a mentor who has remained a close friend and advisor for over 25 years. He introduced me to a small team focused on supporting private equity transactions through accounting due diligence, teaching me fundamental principles that continue to shape my work. This mentor's support extended beyond immediate job responsibilities; he encouraged me in my journey to serve with AmeriCorps and later to take a leave of absence to assist the Clinton Foundation in establishing operations in India.

My time in India ignited my passion for leveraging private capital for development, which led to a significant opportunity in 2008: joining an investment firm launched by the former president of the World Bank, where I remain to this day.

4) Who has been your biggest influence? (e.g., mentors, books, leaders)

I’ve been fortunate to have family, friends and mentors over the years who have had significant influence on me, which can be distilled down into a few basic principles: (i) you can always learn something from other people and their experiences and (ii) don’t waste people’s time. Most importantly, my parents have demonstrated the power of kindness, an open mind and active engagement in anything you take on.

5) If you could change one thing about the world, then what would it be?

If I could change one thing about the world, it would be to eliminate the divisiveness that currently characterizes so many aspects of our world today. We are facing monumental challenges and opportunities—such as climate change, inclusivity, and equality—that require a spirit of partnership and collaboration. Unfortunately, the world is incredibly polarized and divided at the moment. Every political conversation feels tedious and frustrating, and there isn't time for such divisions when we have pressing issues like climate change and wealth disparity to address.

Investing in areas that can drive widespread benefits, such as the housing sector, is a significant way to combat this divisiveness. Affordable and adequate housing is crucial for individual financial stability and for fostering innovation and economic growth. For example, India faces a housing shortfall of over 60 million affordable housing units, and addressing this can create numerous opportunities for development and social cohesion sustainably.

These problems should unite us rather than drive us apart. Constructive debate is essential, but it has yet to be improved in recent times. Solving such critical issues should unite people to work towards common goals, fostering a collaborative spirit essential for meaningful progress.