Good Return Commits $10 Million to Support Women-Led Ventures Across Asia-Pacific

• Good Return has unveiled its second Impact Investment Fund, with a goal of raising A$10 million
• The initiative provides grant-backed training to tackle gender bias in financial institutions
• The fund reinforces blended finance solutions for women-led businesses

In a strategic effort to drive gender-inclusive finance, Australia’s social purpose organization Good Return has unveiled its second Impact Investment Fund, with a goal of raising A$10 million. This initiative focuses on breaking down systematic obstacles that hinder women-led businesses from accessing critical funding in the Asia-Pacific region.

Good return’s latest fund builds on the achievements of its 2020 impact investment imitative, which turned as A$1 million investment into A$5.05 million in loans. The program supported more than 600 entrepreneurs in Indonesia and Cambodia, with women representing 90% of the beneficiaries.

Through an A$8,000 loan facilitated by Wing Bank, Cambodia herb farmer Voucheang Loa was able to invest in greenhouse infrastructure, allowing her to scale and optimize her farming operations. This initiative highlights the impact of accessible financing for women entrepreneurs in agriculture.

Targeting Australian impact investors, Good Return’s evergreen fund (A$20,000 minimum investment) de-risks lending and provides loan guarantees to financial institutions. The loan is aimed at fostering economic growth for women entrepreneurs in Fiji, Cambodia, Nepal, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.

Peter McMullin, co-founder and chair of the Good Business Foundation and an investor in the first fund, said, “Entrepreneurs and SMEs don’t lack talent, only opportunity… this is why my Foundation has and will continue to invest in Good Return’s Impact Investment Fund.”

In addition to funding, the initiative provides grant-backed training to tackle gender bias in financial institutions. The first fund trained nearly 3,000 finance professionals in inclusive lending practices. Aligned with Australia’s development strategy and the UN’s financial equality agenda, the fund reinforces blended finance solutions for women-led businesses.