Impact Investing: enabling innovation through science parks

Impact investing ASR Dutch Science Park Fund

‘Impact investments are investments made with the intention to generate, positive, measurable social and environmental impact alongside a financial return’ (The Global Impact Investing Network, 2023).

The Fund is not an impact investment vehicle. Nonetheless, a large part of its investments have a societal impact. Therefore, the Fund has developed an impact investment strategy. This strategy is focused on investing in commercial real estate (i.e., R&D space and/or offices) on Dutch science parks through its strategic partnerships.

Impact Investing

Intentionality

The Fund aims to invest in the broad range of commercial functions required for organisations on science parks;

Financial return

According to the Fund's financial targets;

Measurability

This is defined through the portfolio’s assets match with the science park impact categories.

Impact strategy

The Fund has two ways to contribute to the development of Dutch science parks. Firstly, by investing in different assets types, which the market has been unable to realise. These specific assets or its tenants add value to the science park ecosystem. Secondly, through its strategic partnerships with stakeholders involved with the local science park. The Fund aims to aid local science parks by bridging the gap between research and innovation through intentionally developing real estate for organisations to grow and science park ecosystems to thrive.