Go Beyond Capital — The Talanton Investment Method

Talanton targets companies with values-aligned leadership teams that can deliver strong financial performance, significant growth, and social impact by creating jobs. We vet those businesses with rigorous due diligence and once we invest, we provide hands-on operational support and a faith integration framework. Unlike many impact investors that provide capital only, we:

• Target a triple-bottom-line return: financial (competitive IRRs), social (over jobs created/impacted), and spiritual (building Hope, ethical leadership, and Gospel witness in local communities).
• Operate both a debt and an equity fund (Impact Fund + Momentum Fund) which provide a unique complementarity in meeting the capital requirements of rapidly growing companies in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Embed Christian leadership principles, job creation potential, and community transformation into every investment decision.

• Host an annual investor conference in Colorado Springs to allow investors to meet the CEOs of multiple portfolio companies; host periodic “Insight Trips” to Sub-Saharan Africa for investors to see multiple companies’ operational performance and impact; and regularly host investor prayer Zoom meetings allowing investors to pray for the needs of portfolio companies plus get to know fellow investors.

We follow a rigorous due diligence process with milestones and gateways in line with the standard of world-class investment Funds.

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Ultimately, fewer than 5% of the opportunities we initially screen receive funding—the goal is to find “diamonds in the rough” that can scale jobs, generate returns, and transform lives. We do not compromise or make concessions on any of these fronts as we discharge our fiduciary duty to investors.

Talanton becomes an active partner from Day 1:

• Strategic & Operational Guidance: Talanton may provide strategic and operational support to portfolio companies through team members, board members, or experienced investors from our community. In certain cases, representatives serve as voting board members or advisors. We frequently assign sector experts (finance, supply chain, HR) to work directly alongside each CEO on regular coaching calls or as official mentors
• Impact Measurement and Management: Support the collection and evaluation of impact metrics via third-party impact experts.  This helps organizations deliver our shared desire for social impact to accompany financial growth and returns.
• Leadership Coaching & Mentorship: Through a mentoring partnership with a values-aligned organization, we offer one-on-one mentoring options so company leaders can learn best practices in operations, finance, marketing, scaling, governance, and values-based decision-making.
• Market & Network Access: We facilitate introductions to potential customers, other investors to add capital, and peer CEOs across our portfolio.
• Spiritual Integration: Every quarter, we host multiple CEO prayer calls and share Biblical leadership resources so leaders can be covered in prayer, learn from one another, and lead with integrity and Christian compassion.
• Ongoing Accountability: Regular progress reports, KPI tracking (e.g., jobs created, revenue growth), and on-site visit check-ins ensure transparency and continuous improvement.

We track three core dimensions—financial, social, and spiritual—to ensure a holistic view:

• Financial: IRR, cash-on-cash multiples, NAV (net asset value) growth, and revenue CAGR for each portfolio company.
• Social & Economic: Number of jobs impacted, household income improvements of smallholder farmers, community education/access metrics (e.g., school enrollment in the regions we serve), and measurable poverty-reduction indicators.
• Spiritual & Cultural: Talanton integrates faith into every investment by serving on portfolio company boards and praying over opportunities during Investment Committee sessions, hosting regular CEO-Investor Prayer Calls, and conducting an annual impact survey to assess leadership ethics, workplace expressions of Christian character, faith-based supplier partnerships, and community “give-back” initiatives.

Talanton offers multiple community touchpoints for networking, fellowship, and firsthand impact experiences:

• Insight Trips: Join our on-the-ground trips to Kenya or Rwanda where you’ll meet fellow investors, engage with portfolio company leaders, tour facilities, and participate in local church services.
• Bringing Hope Celebration (BHC): Attend our annual investor conference in Colorado Springs to hear live updates from CEOs/senior leaders from portfolio companies, connect with Talanton leadership, meet like-minded impact investors, and join focused prayer sessions.
• Monthly Investor Prayer Calls: Connect with company leaders and fellow investors in a virtual prayer gathering to share challenges, request prayer, and seek breakthroughs together.
  

Faith integration is woven into every step:

• Investment Decision Prayer: Before approving any deal, our Investment Committee prays over the opportunity, asking for God’s wisdom and discernment.
• Values-Aligned Due Diligence: We assess each leader’s values-alignment and how their business practices reflect integrity, stewardship, and compassion.
• Corporate Spiritual Support: Portfolio companies receive ongoing prayer support from the Talanton team, invitations to join regular prayer calls with fellow CEOs, employee Bible-study resources to help them lead ethically and serve their communities well, and introductions to values-aligned partner organizations in their communities who can serve their employees, suppliers, or stakeholders.‍

Talanton welcomes deeper engagement through:

• Mentoring: Participate in one-on-one or group mentoring sessions with portfolio company leaders.
• Prayer Calls: Join our monthly investor prayer gatherings to support entrepreneurs spiritually.
• Technical Assistance: Offer pro bono expertise in areas like finance, operations, or marketing when applicable.
• LPAC & Advisory Panels: Engage in discussions with the Limited Partner Advisory Committee and participate in special topic working groups to influence Fund strategy and impact measurement.

Talanton accepts capital from accredited and qualified investors, Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs), family offices, corporate foundations as well as donations to a separately managed Stewardship Fund. Each fund has its own eligibility and minimums:

• Impact Fund: An evergreen vehicle. Minimum commitment: $100,000 via direct investments or IRAs, or $25,000 via DAFs.
• Momentum Fund: A closed-end private equity fund targeting $20M total of committed capital. Minimum commitment: $100,000 via direct investments or IRAs, or $25,000 via DAFs.