Case Studies

LeadGenius is a data and lead generation company that has differentiated itself from market competitors. The startup company’s impact-oriented business model is delivering results that compete effectively with entrenched businesses. 

TransLoc, a provider of transit technology, is leading the way in providing solutions that make public transportation a more impactful and attractive option for riders. The company is at the forefront of innovative technology that empowers transit agencies to better serve their communities and creates lasting environmental and social impact.

SJF Ventures has completed its 2016 update to its portfolio carbon impact model and is pleased to share its findings on SJF portfolio companies’ continued impact on mitigating carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.

Each year, Forbes partners with the Small Giants Community to recognize America's Best Small Companies. In 2018, Vital Farms was one of 25 companies named to the Small Giants list, chosen for its "terrific workplaces, revolutionary products, outstanding services" and a final special quality that Forbes calls its "mojo."

SJF is proud to release its 2016 Impact Report, which highlights the organization's impact strategy and portfolio company achievements across six impact objectives: mitigating climate change, conserving natural resources, increasing nutritious food & sustainable agriculture, improving education access & outcomes, enhancing health & wellness, and enabling greater economic access & quality job creation.  The report features quantitative results as well as qualitative mini case studies.

 To assess this critical aspect of investment impact, SJF Ventures worked with a team from the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE) at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, along with its partners at the Duke Carbon Offset Initiative and with review by the Environmental Capital Group, to create a dynamic model illustrating how and where SJF’s portfolio companies reduce carbon emissions.

SJF portfolio company RaiseMe has set out to alleviate the problem of unequal access to higher education by “reinventing educational pathways and changing the way students access billions of dollars each year in scholarships and grants for college.”

SJF portfolio company Novinium specializes in extending the life of something unexpected, something we use every day but don’t often see—underground power cables.

An outcomes study was completed of SJF portfolio company Think Through Learning in 2014. The company achieved phenomenal demonstrated results for its Think Through Math (TTM) product, a Web-based math instructional system for students studying from grades 3 through Algebra 1.

Optoro is revolutionizing the reverse logistics business in a way that provides meaningful financial and environmental returns. Optoro utilizes its technology platform to optimize the processing, disposition, and selling of returned and excess retail consumer goods. Optoro’s cloud-based SaaS reverse logistics technology (“OptiTurn”) optimizes a retailer’s recovery rates and channel allocation, while also saving fuel costs and reducing the total distance items are shipped.