INVESTMENT CRITERIA


INVESTMENT THEME

Sustainable Planet

Clean Energy

Businesses that solve problems caused by fossil fuel-based energy production, storage, and supply systems

Environment-friendly Solution

Businesses that help mitigate and adapt to climate change and reduce environmental pollution

Sustainable Food and Agriculture

Businesses that minimize environmental problems at all stages of food and agriculture including production, consumption and disposal

Sustainable People

Biotech and Healthcare

Businesses that help everyone enjoy a healthy, high-quality life

Education and Caring Solution

Businesses that provide quality care and universal access to education

SMB and High-Quality Jobs

Businesses that promote sustainable growth of small-medium business owners and create high-quality jobs

Sustainable Community

Inclusive Finance and Digitalization

Businesses that provide financial and digital services for the underserved

Affordable Housing

Businesses that provide affordable residence in order to alleviate the housing burden of the underserved

Lifestyle and Content Diversity

Businesses that provide everyone with chance to enjoy a lifestyle and entertainment without discrimination, prejudice, and/or hatred



INVESTMENT PROCESS

Deal Sourcing 1
Deal Sourcing and Initial Investment Review
We review startup investment opportunities year-round.
Send us an email(investment@hginitiative.com regarding investment opportunities.
You must attach documents introducing your team and business.
These documents should also include your team’s capability and/or potential to solve social and environmental problems.

Our internal review takes about two to four business weeks, and the result will be delivered individually via email.
Evaluation2
Financial Analysis from Venture Capital Perspective
We go through a comprehensive evaluation of the market size, competitive advantage, revenue model, and exit feasibility to analyze whether this investment can lead to financial return that exceeds market-rate returns.
Sustainability Analysis through Deep-dive Interview and Due Diligence
We analyze the positive and negative effects of the startup itself and its business. Accordingly, we review the severity of the targeted social and/or environmental problem, the team’s capability and willingness to solve the problem.

The type of sustainability investing is internally determined using sustainability analysis frameworks such as Negative Screening, ESG Investment Guideline, 5 Dimensions of Impact, et cetera.
Negotiation and Final Contract3
Negotiation regarding key investment terms
We discuss investment valuation, investment amount, and detailed terms to manage risks and maximize upside potential.
Disclosing Sustainability Management Process
After explaining the term and context of social impact and ESG step by step to the startup team, we together review the team’s sustainability strategy and potential risks.
Post Investment Activities4
Financial and Sustainability Performance and/or Risk Management
It provides the resources to build firm missions, as well as the general assistance of venture capital firms.
Sustainability internalization programs, external communication content,

ESG importance assessment, or impact KPI tracking provide a foundation for companies to continue their concerns and efforts for sustainability even after recovery.
5 Exit

ESG INVESTMENT

Environmental Management

Environmental problems have emerged as a critical factor that poses a serious risk to companies’ survival and competitiveness. Therefore, companies must gain the trust of various business stakeholders by facing and preparing for these risks

Companies must respond preemptively to strengthen their environmental responsibilities and encourage the development and spread of environmentally friendly technologies.

Companies should manage environmental risks that may affect management activities in advance to increase management stability. It is necessary to create opportunities by identifying and preparing risk factors due to the use of natural resources in advance, and by forming new markets and securing competitive advantage due to environmental changes.

Companies must identify climate change-related risks and opportunities that may affect their business strategies and financial plans. In order to recognize serious environmental problems caused by climate change and minimize negative effects, risks and opportunities related to climate change should be identified, and new regulations linked to the global market should be considered.

Since the company is responsible for minimizing the negative effects of the ecosystem due to by-products of production activities, it should continue to carry out activities to minimize the generation and emission of environmental pollutants in the production and manufacturing processes.

Companies should minimize waste and wastewater generation from business activities as much as possible, minimize emissions, and deal with them legally. In addition, efforts should be made to fully recognize the harmfulness and risks of harmful chemicals, reduce the use of harmful chemicals, and prevent chemical accidents.

Social Management

The societal awareness of sustainable management has increased, and thus the fulfillment of corporate social responsibility is having a significant impact on the company's business and capital procurement. The company must actively correspond to social responsibility based on the understanding that it is essential for enhancing corporate value.

The top management should express a firm commitment to socially responsible management and demonstrate leadership to bring out actual practice.

Corporate social responsibility should be incorporated into corporate strategies in order to establish effective governance.

Companies should support and respect the protection of human rights and be careful not to be involved in human rights abuses.

Companies should make efforts to promote employment and retain attractive talent with deep consideration regarding diversity.
In addition, proper compensation should be ensured based on a decent performance management system.

Companies should respect and guarantee the basic rights of workers and provide a safe and healthy working environment for workers of their own and deeply related companies.

Companies must comply with simple manners within capitalism; establish a fair transaction system, promote mutual growth and unrestricted competition, and support the sustainability of their supply chain.

Companies should ensure that consumers are not harmed by unfair business practices by establishing a system that can protect customers from business hazards and provide fair compensation for caused damages.

Companies must establish pertinent systems and procedures to protect their information assets and comply with the Personal Information Protection Act.

Governance

Corporate governance not only has been a major concern among businesses within South Korea but also is a globally critical factor for capital procurement opportunities. Accordingly, companies should maximize their corporate value by continuously refining the transparency and efficiency of decision-making.

The board of directors and management should create and preserve shareholder value and thus contribute to sustainable growth with the purpose of maximizing long-term corporate value.

Companies should establish goals, strategies, and a corporate culture that pursues sustainability in order to promote sustainable growth, and improve profitability and capital efficiency; these efforts are expected to result in greater long-term corporate value.

The board of directors shall have comprehensive authority over corporate management and shall participate in decision-making and monitoring at the same time.
They also shall protect general shareholders from unfair internal transactions practiced among controlling shareholders.

irectors shall act within fiduciary duty, and shall not divulge any corporate secrets and/or use them for personal benefits.

Companies shall protect the fundamental rights of its shareholders.

Companies must provide detailed information of shareholders' meetings in advance, and allow shareholders to exercise their voting rights with sufficient information and time.

The board of directors and management must put enough interest in constructive communication with shareholders and stakeholders.

The entity shall provide shareholders with the necessary information in a timely and fair manner.