Approach

Go Beyond Capital — The Talanton Investment Method

Why Talanton

Most impact investors simply provide funding. We do more.

At Talanton, we've built a three-pillar approach that goes far beyond capital. We rigorously vet businesses with high growth potential, provide hands-on expertise to support their development, and create meaningful connections between our investors and the entrepreneurs transforming East Africa.

This comprehensive model has enabled our portfolio companies to impact over 109,300 jobs while targeting meaningful financial returns for our investors.

*Past performance is not a guarantee of future success. Each investment should be considered on its own merits.

Our Model

Due
Diligence

We find diamonds in the rough

Not every business gets our backing. In fact, we invest in fewer than 5% of the opportunites we review. Through a rigorous due diligence and vetting process, we identify values-aligned businesses with real growth potential. We look beyond financials to evaluate leadership quality, job creation capability, and
community impact.

Business Development

We're partners, not just funders

Money alone doesn't transform businesses. Our team provides hands-on support through strategic partnerships, operational expertise, and accountability systems. We walk alongside entrepreneurs as they navigate growth challenges and maximize their impact.

Community And Connection

Feel the impact firsthand

Few impact funds bring you face-to-face with the companies empowering communities – ours does. Through impact reports, our annual investor gathering, and insight trips to East Africa, you'll build meaningful relationships with business leaders and see for yourself how your investment creates jobs and transforms communities.

Join Our Mission

Invest with Talanton

Discover how faith-driven investing can create jobs, bring Hope, and transform lives across East Africa.

For East African Businesses Seeking Capital

Grow with Talanton

Is your East African business generating over $500K in annual sales and seeking growth capital?

Talanton FAQs

Your questions answered

How is Talanton different from other impact investment funds?

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 East 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 East 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.

How do you select businesses for your portfolio?

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

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.

What specific support do you provide to portfolio companies?

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.

How do you measure impact beyond financial returns?

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.

How can I meet other Talanton investors and connect with portfolio leaders?

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.

What does “faith integration” look like at Talanton?

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.

How can I get involved beyond investing financial capital?

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.

How do I invest in Talanton’s funds, and what are the eligibility requirements?

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.

How Do I Get Started?

  • Contact Us: Fill out theInvest with Talanton” form on our website to provide basic accreditation details.
  • Intro Call: A member of our Investor Relations team (led by Michelle Ochieng) will schedule a call to walk through fund documents, expected timelines, and due diligence materials.
  • Subscription Package: Once you’re comfortable, we’ll instruct you about completing a subscription agreement and investor questionnaire related to the government’s Know Your Customer and anti-money laundering requirements.
  • Capital Deployment: After subscribing, you’ll wire your investment capital when it is called.  You’ll be invited to investor-only webinars, prayer calls, and Insight Trips.

If you’re an East African business seeking capital, please use our “Grow with Talanton” portal. We’ll ask a few qualifying questions (e.g., revenue thresholds, social impact metrics) and schedule a screening call with one of our team members.