Mission Markets, Inc. announced May 23 that that have closed a $1.5 million Series A2 funding round, which brings the company’s total funding to approximately $3 million. Social entrepreneur James Lee Sorenson provided the largest investment in the round and will join the company’s board of directors.
Investing alongside Sorenson were Bendigo Partners’ Founder and former E*TRADE Financial Corporation President and Chief Operating Officer Jarrett Lilien, film producer and philanthropist Sarah Johnson Redlich and the Kantian Foundation’s Chairman Robert J. Caruso. Johnson Redlich and Caruso will also serve on the board of directors.
The capital infusion will support the expansion of the online Mission Markets Capital Marketplace (MMX), a proprietary digital transaction platform that provides accredited investors with access to a broad range of sustainable and impact investment opportunities. Additionally, the increased capital will be used to enhance Mission Markets’ comprehensive suite of investor and community portal solutions and to expand the company’s marketing efforts.
“This funding will enable Mission Markets to demonstrate the potential of sustainable capital markets,” said Ken Marienau, CEO of Mission Markets. “As the only Regulation D private transaction technology platform created specifically for sustainable capital opportunities, our infrastructure enables us to successfully scale the raising of mission-aligned capital. We are thrilled to have Jim lead this round and join the board alongside Sarah and Bob, and we look forward to executing our shared vision of how capitalism can be a force for good.”
Providing an efficient solution through a number of online marketplace services, Mission Markets creates a sustainable economy by connecting “mission focused” communities of investors to “mission aligned” organizations. In addition to its flagship MMX platform, Mission Markets is currently developing an expanded portfolio of capital market and technology solutions to engage investors in sustainable capitalism and impact investing. Mission Markets supports sustainable capital funding solutions in a variety of sectors, including community supported enterprises, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and environmental conservation.
A globally recognized entrepreneur and multifaceted business leader, Sorenson has built highly successful companies in industries ranging from technology and life sciences to real estate and private equity investment. He helped develop several new industry categories, including digital compression software that helped usher in the online video revolution at Sorenson Media, and video relay services that transformed opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing individuals through Sorenson Communications.
His philanthropic endeavors have helped establish highly impactful programs and organizations that improve the lives of the working poor and build regional business communities. Most recently, Sorenson made a personal gift of $13 million to the University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business to create a global impact investing center.
“Mission Markets represented a compelling investment concept for its potential to accelerate societal change on a global scale,” said Sorenson. “The company is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between capital markets and communities in need, and I am thrilled to play an integral part in helping realize this mission going forward.”
A partner and substantial investor in Worldview Entertainment, Johnson Redlich’s film credits include executive producing The Invisible War, which was nominated for a 2013 Academy Award for Best Documentary. In addition to previously serving as the president of The Select Equity Group, Caruso is the founder and chairman of The Kantian Foundation, which focuses on impact investing. As president and COO of E*TRADE Financial, Lilien was responsible for building the premier online financial services franchise and delivering five record years of customer growth and earnings.
Mission Markets’ leadership team brings a wealth of experience across diverse industries, from capital markets and financial services to social enterprise and impact investment. A seasoned finance and operations executive, Marienau most recently spent 13 years as vice president of finance at E*TRADE Financial. Mission Markets Founder and President Michael J. Van Patten brings more than 20 years of experience on Wall Street and co-founded NYPPEX, a leading transactions and data firm.
About Mission Markets, Inc.
Mission Markets is a financial services company that operates “The Impact Investment Platform” supporting the social and environmental capital markets. Mission Markets is the leading financial marketplace for sustainable capitalism. They offer a comprehensive solution for social and environmental mission focused organizations to connect with impact investors, organizations and related professionals. In addition to its main website, Mission Markets provides Community Portals to enable local and affinity-based groups to connect with capital markets. The company helps mission-focused organizations grow by offering a broad range of financial products, from debt to equity investments. Securities products and services are offered through Mission Capital LLC (member FINRA/SIPC). More information is available at www.missionmarkets.com.
For more information about this organization see their press releases on CSRwire:
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