Learning, Transparency, Win-Win Partnerships, Commitment, Discipline.
These are SV LATAM Capital’s guiding principles in how we collaborate, make decisions, and roll up our sleeves.
As early stage investors, we believe people are at the center of the work we do. When faced with uncertainty of markets and uncertainty of new technologies, what remains constant is the leadership, and the leadership’s ability to set the vision and strategy, and to navigate the inevitable ups & downs of the venture rollercoaster. To invest is to partner, and to partner well is to be aligned in values and principles.Taking Our Actions Further
The venture capital industry can no longer ignore the ethical and moral issues that arise alongside its investment activities, from power imbalances, lack of inclusion to conflicts of interest.
This Stewardship Pledge, incubated within the Kauffman Fellows community, is SV LATAM's attempt to respond to this moral imperative.
As an investor in innovation, I recognize:
- Our industry of innovation capital has the power to drive both private value creation and sustainable, positive societal transformation.
- My purpose is to direct capital and expertise to create shared value by accelerating the pace of innovation through company formation and growth.
- My investment decisions affect the well-being of individuals inside and outside my own organization, the companies in which we invest, my capital partners, the industries in which we work, and beyond, both today and in the future.
The Pledge
Therefore, in the spirit of stewardship toward all my stakeholders, I acknowledge and pledge the following:
- I will not advance my own interests at the expense of my organization, my investee companies, my capital partners, or society.
- I will manage my investments with loyalty and care and I will report the performance and risks of my organization and my investee companies accurately and honestly to my capital partners.
- I will understand and uphold, in letter and in spirit, the laws and contracts governing my conduct and that of my enterprise and my investee companies, and refrain from corruption, unfair competition, or other business practices harmful to society.
- I will recognize the power imbalance inherent in the relationship between investor and entrepreneur, and will not abuse my position, engage in sexual harassment or discrimination, or condone it in the organizations and communities around me.
- I will protect the human rights and dignity of all people impacted by my organization and my investee companies, and oppose discrimination both within my investee companies and in the process of selecting investments.
- I will promote a culture of inclusion, seek out diversity of all types, and foster a sense of belonging among all the organizations and communities in which I work. To further continuing awareness and action, I will participate to the extent of my abilities in open discussion and reporting across our industry as well as encourage others to do the same.
- I will develop myself, and coach, mentor, and apprentice the next generation of investors.
- I will work with my stakeholders to support sustainable inclusive prosperity and to minimize the negative consequences of our actions to the environment and society.
In exercising my professional commitments according to these principles, I recognize that my behavior must set an example of integrity and mutual respect, eliciting trust and esteem from the multiple stakeholders I serve. I will remain accountable to my peers and to society for my actions and for upholding these standards.