Caspian and Grassroots work closely together on project development and management, sharing staff and resources between their New York, Massachusetts, Hyderabad and Delhi offices. For more information about Caspian please visit Caspian’s web site.

WHAT’S NEW:

• Grassroots is welcoming two new colleagues to the team:
  Amit Brar, Investment Manager, has worked with Grassroots’ partner Caspian Impact Advisors as Investment Manager since 2010. In this role he conducted due diligence and market research for a South-East Asia focused microfinance fund and led investor intervention in portfolio companies in India. Previously Amit was Director of Operations of MISFA – an investment fund in Kabul, Afghanistan with US$200 million invested in fifteen microfinance organizations, as well as Team Leader at EDA Rural Systems, India. Alana Heath, Program Associate, has worked extensively in northern India in the international sustainable development industry. In 2012 she founded Alta Solar Project, a rural electrification project that provides a practical and affordable solar lighting option for the poorest residents of the remote region of Ladakh, India. Most recently she worked with Ira Lieberman at LIPAM International on projects covering the U.S., Liberia and South Sudan.
• Paul DiLeo completed work as part of a team tasked with generating recommendations on how small and micro businesses in the U.S. can get better access to capital and business development services.  The recommendations will be presented at the Annual Meeting of the Association for Enterprise Opportunity by the Association for Enterprise Opportunity see link, in New Orleans May 5-6 and to the Micro Capital Task Force, empaneled to generate input for the U.S. Treasury.
• Grassroots recently completed work developing a credit policy manual for a newly launched microfinance network in Africa, and will shortly begin work to support the launch of a global debt fund complementing the efforts of a leading TA provider to MFIs.
• In April, Grassroots Investment Officer Anna Kanze will join Bolivia-based members of the Prospero Investment team on a due diligence mission to Central America, as Prospero moves to complete its portfolio.   The Prospero Advisory Committee will hold its next meeting in Washington on May 9th.
• The Financial Inclusion Equity Council (FIEC, formerly Council of Microfinance Equity Funds see link ) will hold its next meeting in New York May 12-13.  Paul DiLeo has been working with other members of the Executive Committee to finalize the agenda, including a luncheon with the Microfinance CEO Working Group.
• What’s New Archive click here