September 2016 (Revised March 2021)
Case
HBS Case Collection

DBL Partners: Double Bottom Line Venture Capital

By: Shawn Cole, Mark Kramer, Tony L. He, Anshul Maudar and T. Robert Zochowski

Format:Print
| Language:English
| Pages:34

Abstract

This case explores the origins and current practices of DBL, a San Francisco–based venture capital fund and one of the first impact investment funds to achieve significant financial returns to scale. This case allows for a competitive analysis of DBL's investment strategy as it seeks to deploy $400m, as well as the opportunity to evaluate a specific investment in a solar power company targeting low-income consumers in Tanzania.

Keywords

Venture Capital; Investment Funds; Financial Strategy; Financial Services Industry; Tanzania

Citation

Cole, Shawn, Mark Kramer, Tony L. He, Anshul Maudar, and T. Robert Zochowski. "DBL Partners: Double Bottom Line Venture Capital." Harvard Business School Case 217-022, September 2016. (Revised March 2021.)