Kirchner Impact Foundation Launches Southeast Economic Development (SEED) Study
Study Focuses on the Contribution of Entrepreneurship and Early-Stage Financing to Community Economic Development in the Southeast of the United States
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA, August 29, 2024 – The Kirchner Impact Foundation today announced that Managing Director of Impact and Co-Manager Hattie Brown, will lead a study focused on entrepreneurship and innovation in the Southeast region of the United States and its potential to address economic development gaps. This study will be conducted through the Foundation’s Kirchner-Donovan Impact Initiative (KDII).
The Southeast Economic Development (SEED) study focuses on the various ways in which entrepreneurship promotes place-based, community level economic development in the region and whether there is a need for additional early-stage venture capital, or other financing mechanisms, to facilitate it, in terms of availability and appropriateness of fit.
Specifically, the SEED study will focus on 1) the types of businesses that exist and the ways in which they contribute to community economic development (e.g. via employment, supplier relationships, and beyond), 2) the necessary components that create an attractive geography to incubate, keep and grow these businesses, 3) and the type of capital fit-for-purpose to help them grow.
“There are amazing organizations working in the community economic development space across the country. The objective of the SEED Study is to investigate whether there are unexplored opportunities for the private sector – for-profit companies and the investors who support them – to promote growth in areas of distress and economic vulnerability, particularly in more rural communities, and to build on the groundwork that’s been laid,” said Hattie.
“The work of the Kirchner Impact Foundation and its Kirchner-Donovan Impact Initiative has promoted entrepreneurship, capital allocation training and field-building activities in communities across North and Central America. This is an opportunity to focus more narrowly on an economically and culturally important region of the U.S.”
“I am very proud of all the work that the Kirchner-Donovan Impact Initiative has done over the years, and am excited to collaborate on this SEED study,” commented Michael Donovan. “The Southeast region of the US has much untapped potential, and this study will endeavor to find ways of addressing that potential. I look forward to the results.”
Advisors to the project include investors, community economic development experts, entrepreneurs and technical assistance providers from the region.
A call for input: If you’re an expert (an investor, entrepreneur, researcher, economic development professional, community member, or have another point-of-view related to the subject), your input would be greatly appreciated. Please reach out to Hattie Brown via the information below.
Kirchner-Donovan Impact Initiative
The Kirchner-Donovan Impact Initiative (KDII) was established in 2021 to combine the resources, programmatic and subject-matter expertise of the Kirchner Impact Foundation and serial entrepreneur and philanthropist, Michael Donovan.
KDII extends the Kirchner Impact Foundation’s mission to assist in training the next generation of resource allocators to deploy disciplined capital and help connect impact-driven entrepreneurs, while contributing to the economic growth of regions and communities in need using a holistic approach to strengthen the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. In its pilot, KDII identified Costa Rica as a launchpad for its entrepreneurial support programs, which included the long-standing Kirchner Investment Academy and the Kirchner Fellowship programs. The pilot program resulted in a dedicated impact fund, Atta Impact Capital, which serves Central America and southern Mexico via technical assistance and direct capital.
Kirchner Group’s proprietary model of “ideas to change” is the bedrock of how KDII pursues its mission over the long term – originating from the firm’s decades long philosophy of “creating value and promoting values”.
For more information on the SEED study, contact:
Hattie Brown | Managing Director, Impact and ESG | Kirchner Group & Co-Manager | Kirchner Impact Foundation
Kirchner Impact Foundation
KIF is a non-profit organization that serves as one of the “returning” arms of Kirchner Group. KIF harnesses the positive power of enterprise to make a difference in addressing some of the most important issues of today and reflects our belief that all businesses should contribute to a positive human future. The primary activities of KIF include the Kirchner Fellowship and Kirchner Investment Academy as well as other initiatives primarily across three sectors: Agriculture/Food, Health/Life Science, and Education. Through the Kirchner Impact Model (“returning” with head, hip and heart), the Foundation promotes capital efficiency and sustainable enterprises, while aiming to generate measurable, social and environmental benefits.
The Foundation is always looking for like-minded organizations and individuals to help it continue to expand its training programs and impact. www.kirchnerimpact.com
Kirchner Group
Kirchner Group was founded in 1985 as a boutique firm and today operates various subsidiaries, providing advisory services (M&A, assessments, diligence) and operational support (interim management, workouts, turnarounds) as well as asset management (dedicated, portfolio optimization) – all leveraging a proprietary approach that dovetails domain and process expertise.
Throughout the decades Kirchner Group has been internationally recognized for its unique business model centered around creating value while promoting values: “earning while returning”. The firm has also established a reputation for building and rebuilding important business and social paradigms based on its deep entrepreneurial orientation.
Kirchner Group’s clients and partners include early stage to mid-market companies, venture capital and private equity firms as well as family offices and some of the world’s largest insurance companies, commercial banks and institutional investors. www.kirchnergroup.com
Blair Kirchner | Managing Director | bgkirchner@kirchnergroup.com