Commerzbank Invests in Nixdorf Capital: A Strategic Partnership for Impact Investing
Commerzbank’s Investment in Nixdorf Capital Marks a Milestone in Impact Investing
In a strategic move to expand its impact investing portfolio, Commerzbank recently announced an 18% shareholding in Nixdorf Capital, a specialist in impact investing. The exact financial details of the investment were not disclosed, but it is believed to be substantial enough for Nixdorf Capital to scale up its operations.
Andreas Rickert, one of the CEOs of Nixdorf Capital, expressed his excitement about the partnership in an interview with Börsen-Zeitung. He highlighted the company’s plans to invest in a new distribution license and expand its team, particularly in the areas of impact advisory and fund structuring. The ultimate goal, according to Rickert, is to mainstream impact investing and make it more accessible to a wider range of investors.
Founded in 2016 by Dagmar Nixdorf, Nixdorf Capital is not your typical wealth manager or family office. The boutique firm focuses on supporting new funds by nurturing relationships with affluent entrepreneurial families and assisting fund managers in structuring and fundraising for impact funds. Currently, Nixdorf Capital has a triple-digit million amount distributed across six funds with a cumulative target volume of 800 million euros.
Rickert emphasized the importance of attracting institutional investors and family offices to impact investing, noting that collaborations with specialized placement agents and financial institutions like Commerzbank could help drive this growth. He also stressed the need for competitive returns in impact investing, stating that it should not be viewed as philanthropy but as a viable investment strategy that delivers societal and ecological value.
Looking ahead, Rickert sees great potential in the next generation of entrepreneurial families who are more inclined towards impact investing. He believes that tapping into the capital market is crucial for sustainable transformation and addressing the financing gap for the United Nations sustainability goals.
Despite the current dominance of American initiatives in sustainable investing, Rickert remains optimistic about the role of European values-based entrepreneurship in shaping the future of impact investing. He believes that continental Europe should be the hotspot for impact investing, driven by a commitment to combining financial returns with societal and ecological impact.