Moscow Times 1 November 2012
British tycoon Richard Branson and Rusnano chief Anatoly Chubais have launched a $200 million investment fund to back green growth and energy-efficiency projects in Russia.
The VGF Emerging Market Growth I L.P. — an independent fund backed by Branson’s Virgin Group, the Virgin Green Fund and Rusnano Capital, the investment arm of state-owned Rusnano — will invest in buyout and growth equity opportunities in mid-capitalization companies working in resource efficiency, consumer sustainability and renewable energy, the companies said Wednesday.
The fund is envisioned as an emerging markets sister to the Virgin’s Green Fund, an investment vehicle focused on North America and Western Europe. It will have offices in London and Moscow, but besides Russia will also invest in Turkey and Central and Eastern Europe, the Virgin Green Group said in a statement.