Gender-smart approaches can be integrated across all investment operations, including during origination, due diligence, investment analysis and decision-making, deal structuring, and portfolio management and reporting. Factoring gender in each of these stages can help to identify and maximise opportunities to address gender gaps and create value.
| Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3 | Step 4 | Step 5 | Step 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deal origination | Gender due diligence | Gender analysis | Deal structuring, terms and levers | Portfolio management and measurement | Exits |
| Assess networks for gender imbalance Adapt sourcing channels Screen companies with a gender lens | Gather sex -disaggregated data from the potential investee company Ask questions to assess gender-based opportunities and risks | Analyze sex-disaggregated data gathered in due diligence to identify gender gaps Define and agree actions to achieve a gender outcome with the investee company | Consider how to influence progress towards a gender outcome with investment products and structures Incorporate levers into legal agreements that promote gender outcomes | Identify gender activities to focus on with the investee company Ensure investee ownership Establish gender action plan with the investee company Monitor investee company milestones towards gender outcome | Ensure exit maintains gender lens strategy Calculate return on investment for gender outcomes with a linkage to commercial KPIs |
Source: Private Equity and Value Creation: A Fund Manager’s Guide to Gender-smart Investing
