An Evening With the MFPA and Acumen Fund

Last night, Acumen Fund hosted the Muslim Finance Professionals Association of New York for an event entitled “NY MFPA and Acumen Fund evening.” (Suggestions for better event titles are welcome.)  More than 40 people gathered over snacks and drinks to hear Omer Imtiazuddin and Adrien Couton, Acumen’s health and water portfolio managers, describe our social investment fund business model and methodology.

Spirited Q&A followed Omer’s and Adrien’s remarks, ranging from questions on Acumen’s rate of return to how we define and measure social impact.  Particularly interesting were repeated calls for those in the room to use their extensive networks – the Indian and Pakistani diasporas, local finance professional associations and university alumni networks – to spread the word about Acumen.

Thank you to the Muslim Finance Professionals Association – and in particular Malik Sarwar and Dalia Mahmoud – for organizing last night’s event.  We are truly humbled by the sight of a room full of people – all of whom are taking time away from their hectic professional and social lives – gathered to learn more about business models serving the BoP.