Double Delta: Pursuing Additionality in Impact Investing

In 2023, the Asia-based impact investing team within Credit Suisse was spun off to form an independent impact advisory firm called Double Delta. The firm differentiates itself within the increasingly crowded impact investing space by focusing on Asia-based SMEs serving the low-income population and its emphasis on ensuring that its investments have a significant “additionality” in terms of helping the investees improve their social impact. The case details the investment strategy and process for Double Delta’s impact funds, presents two investment opportunities to be evaluated for their fit with its first fund, and discusses possible directions Double Delta could take in its future work.

This case is intended for classes related to impact investing, sustainable investing or responsible finance. It can also be used for teaching about social impact efforts targeting low-income population segments in emerging markets in courses on economic development, entrepreneurship, strategy, social entrepreneurship, private equity or venture capital. It seeks to highlight the importance of having not just a sound business model, but also an appropriate impact strategy in order to make a real difference to society. The key learning is that impact investing requires a rigorous business case as well as an impact strategy if it is to achieve the desired financial return and social impact.