The transition to sustainability requires more than investing in tomorrow's breakthrough technologies and extraordinary growth companies. It requires supporting minority and women entrepreneurs. It requires investing in venture funds that target economically disadvantaged regions. It requires investing in companies that support organic agriculture and sustainable forestry. Some IC members pursue only deals that offer the potential for competitive financial returns. Others pursue deals that have a different risk/return profile, preferring to include in their venture portfolios companies that cannot meet the "hurdle rates" of investors who are seeking to maximize IRR.

While the process of defining, or even measuring, "ERR" or external rate of return, will never be easy, one thing is clear: Investors' Circle is committed to exploring new patient capital strategies for facilitating the flow of capital to socially responsible young companies.

The IC Mission is:

To galvanize the flow of capital to entrepreneurial companies that enhance bioregional, cultural and economic health and diversity.

For more information about principals of social responsibility relating to IC's mission, see Statement of Responsibility.