The elea Model

Impact via professionalism

We are convinced that a high level of professionalism is required to engage in an impactful fight against poverty. This conviction forms the basis for the four pillars upon which our organization is built: the systematic selection and support of portfolio ventures, the consistent use of a clear and methodical framework for defining and measuring success, the synergetic collaboration with investors, and the employment of a qualified and ambitious team. 

elea Philanthropic Investment Management 

The core of elea’s work is making entrepreneurial investments to fight poverty. We place great value on the careful selection, target-oriented implementation, and professional management of investments in parts of the world where per capita income is less than USD 3 per day. 

elea Philanthropic Investors’ Circle 

We work closely with a circle of philanthropic investors that includes private individuals, entrepreneurs, and other institutions. We provide them with the opportunity to invest capital and know-how in promising entrepreneurial ventures with a high impact towards poverty alleviation. 

elea Professional Development Program 

Our work would not be possible without the engagement of an experienced team that has the required professional qualifications and skills as well as the essential instinct for cooperation with partners from various cultural and societal backgrounds. Accordingly, we recruit very selectively, with high expectations for the commitment of our employees on one hand, while offering opportunities for professional and personal growth on the other hand. 

Knowledge

In order to define and measure the success of our philanthropic investments in a consistent and methodical way, we developed the proprietary elea Impact Measurement Methodology (eIMM).

In academia, our flagship engagement was the elea Chair for Social Innovation at IMD Business School in Lausanne, which was endowed from 2016 to 2025 and held by Professor Vanina Farber. This pioneering commitment continues to shape how social innovation is researched and taught, well beyond its founding years. We continue to invest in the next generation of research and talent by supporting PhD research on the real-world effectiveness of impact investments, backing young entrepreneurs through the African Leadership Academy, and helping to shape the conversation at forums like the St. Gallen Symposium.

elea Community

The elea Entrepreneurs’ Community is a catalyst for impact through entrepreneurship, where elea entrepreneurs can interact, exchange ideas, co-create, and develop capabilities in areas that are critical to both achieving impact and entrepreneurial success.

As a growing community of impact entrepreneurs and philanthropic investors, we are committed to raising awareness about the challenges and opportunities of globalization and furthering the development of entrepreneurial philanthropy.