Ben Fenton

Verdant Growth Partners is a Boulder-based independent sponsor deploying capital into profitable businesses across the Consumer, Food & Agriculture and Energy Efficiency and Energy Transition sectors. Our mission is to support the scaling of resilient and profitable business through hands-on, value-added partnerships. We tailor our investments to support the specific needs of the business with a long-term focus.

Informing brands that regenerate life. This insights engine provides news, perspectives, and education on the world of regenerative CPG to brands, retailers, investors, and other food system stakeholders. To date, this entity has produced 80 podcasts, 76 email newsletters, and 81 blog posts, becoming the most trusted and followed resource in regenerative CPG

RuralWorks Partners is an impact investment firm that delivers much needed growth capital to rural businesses that are doing their part to protect our planet and generate community wealth and economic resilience. By investing in ready-to-scale rural businesses that create quality jobs and provide profitable solutions to the challenges of climate change, RuralWorks can deliver meaningful impact to both underserved rural communities and the environment. The firm focuses on rural communities where knowledge, networks, and capital can have an impact and unlock long-term value and drive economic growth. RuralWorks creates value by working with local stakeholders and community development enterprises supporting entrepreneurial ecosystems so local businesses can thrive. The RuralWorks team consists of exceptionally experienced investment and community development professionals that bring experience as investors, lenders, entrepreneurs, and operators in rural markets.

Galway Sustainable Capital is a specialty finance company with a diversified portfolio composed of return-driven investments aimed at accelerating the global transition to a sustainable economy. At Galway, we seek to invest in companies, projects and assets that accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy while delivering positive environmental and social benefits. We partner with leading sponsors and developers by providing debt and/or equity capital to finance the build-out, deployment and scale up of these solutions and technologies.

BFG Partners is a venture capital firm that seeks partnerships with early stage food and beverage consumer product companies. We work alongside exceptional entrepreneurs to ensure the business is able to deliver sustainable growth and outperform its competitors. In addition to providing our portfolio companies with capital, BFG provides teams with the advice most needed to make critical decisions and maximize opportunities. This advice spans operational strategy, tactical marketing, channel development, organizational design and capital planning

Acquired by HeyDay in September 2022

Acquired by Helen of Troy in April 2022

The Just Economy Institute educates and connects a growing movement of financial activists who are shifting the flow of capital and power to support the well-being of all people and the planet. JEI supports a diverse group of more than 150 current and former fellows – impact investors, philanthropists, wealth-holders, financial advisors, and community organizers – with a 9-month fellowship program, alumni gatherings, and field-building initiatives.