Building Markets: The Acumen Journey to Poverty Alleviation - Jacqueline Novogratz, Founder & CEO of Acumen
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In episode 228 of the Disruptors for GOOD Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jacqueline Novogratz, Founder & CEO of Acumen on her global journey that led her from the world of international banking to the heart of social entrepreneurship—beginning in Rwanda, and now reaching 650+ million lives through Acumen’s work around the world.
From Chase Bank to Kigali: A Journey Rooted in Empathy
Jacqueline’s journey began not with a grand strategy, but with a moment of clarity while working in Rwanda in the late 1980s, where she helped launch one of the country’s first microfinance institutions.
There, she witnessed how markets could be harnessed to empower individuals—especially women—but also saw how fragmented and fragile traditional aid systems were.
"Access isn't enough; capability is key."
That idea would eventually become Acumen.
The Founding of Acumen: Bridging Markets and Philanthropy
Founded in 2001, Acumen was created to tackle what Jacqueline calls "the blue flame" space—the gap between pure philanthropy and market-driven capitalism. Acumen uses “patient capital” to invest in entrepreneurs solving problems in energy, agriculture, healthcare, education, and workforce development.
"We need to reframe what risk means in investing."
Acumen has since invested over $150 million into companies that have impacted millions of people in low-income communities across Africa, South Asia, Latin America, and the U.S. But the goal isn’t just scale—it’s systemic change.
What It Takes to Build Markets That Work for the Poor
Jacqueline explains that creating sustainable impact requires far more than capital—it demands a deep understanding of local contexts, cultural norms, and the lived experiences of the communities being served.
"The status quo exists for a reason; change is hard."
She emphasizes that real progress depends on:
- Entrepreneurial courage
- Long-term thinking
- Collaboration with governments and civil society
Acumen works to build "markets with moral imagination", where value creation doesn’t come at the cost of human dignity or environmental degradation.
Education, Circular Impact, and the Future of Social Entrepreneurship
Another major focus of Acumen is education. Through the Acumen Academy, they’ve trained over 1,800 social enterprise leaders, equipping them with tools in moral leadership, storytelling, and systems thinking.
Jacqueline envisions a circular economy of impact investing, where capital flows to and from communities, creating sustainable, inclusive systems over time.
"Resilience and moral imagination are essential qualities for social entrepreneurs."
She sees the future of impact rooted in innovative partnerships—between private and public sectors, startups and institutions, and across geographies.
A Legacy of Courage and Compassion
As Jacqueline looks ahead, her message is clear: we need a new moral framework for capitalism—one that measures success not just in returns, but in human dignity and long-term value for society.
Her story is a reminder that systems can change, markets can heal, and entrepreneurs—when supported with the right kind of capital and community—can solve the world’s most pressing problems.
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