© 2024 Gobi Partners
Gobi Partners’ (Gobi) third sustainability report, covering its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and implementations from April 2023 to March 2024, reinforces the firm’s focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity (DEI).
Gobi recognises the positive impact of gender diversity in leadership roles. More than half of Gobi’s investments involve startups with gender-diverse leadership. According to McKinsey & Company (2023), companies with executive teams in the top quartile for gender diversity are 27% more likely to achieve above-average profitability than their less diverse peers. In the Greater Bay Area, Gobi has achieved a 50% gender-diverse team, with over half of its management team being women.
Access to healthcare and education is a basic right, yet significant inequalities persist within and between communities, countries, and regions. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that low- and middle-income countries account for 85% of the global population but only 12% of global health expenditure. Additionally, the United Nations (UN) states that over half of the world’s population lacks access to essential health services, underscoring the critical need for investment in healthcare infrastructure.
Gobi, with a strong presence in predominantly Asian countries, has invested US$11.8 million to alleviate financial burdens on marginalised communities and low- and middle-income populations. This investment supports HealthTech startups addressing these inequalities.
Highlighted DEI Companies from Gobi
DealCart | dealcart.io
Founded in 2022 by Ammar Naveed and Haider Raza, DealCart focuses on alleviating the financial toll on middle- to lower-income classes in Pakistan amidst high inflation rates. By sourcing directly from vendors and manufacturers and partnering with local brands, DealCart offers discounted prices on group purchases and provides various employment opportunities. Its partnership with the Pakistani Federal Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives in 2023 aims to boost the nation’s human development index ratings. DealCart promotes inclusivity with fair pay, equal growth opportunities, flexible work-from-home policies, and menstrual leave for women. Their sustainability-centric mindset includes consumption forecasting, effective inventory management, and optimal delivery planning to maximise returns and reduce resource wastage.
Ejen2u | ejen2u.com
Founded in 2019 by Co-founders Sheikh Ezaiddin, Imran Hadi, and Taufiq Zakir, Ejen2u offers a comprehensive ecosystem of platforms to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) manage resellers and dropshippers. Solutions include EjenGO (a cloud-based reseller management platform), a reseller education platform, EjenVenture (a reseller-based venture builder), and various fintech solutions. The Women Empowerment Entrepreneurship Programme (WeMap) focuses on upskilling women entrepreneurs. With more than 17,000 participants and over 100 topics, WeMap has helped female agents improve their income by 200% to 300%, positioning Ejen2u at the forefront of women’s empowerment and socioeconomic enrichment.
Edge Tutor | edgetutor.co
Founded by Henry Motte-Muñoz in 2022, Philippines-based Edge Tutor, initially part of the EdTech platform Edukasyon.ph, now operates independently to offer exceptional online tutoring services. The platform comprises a team of over 1,000 seasoned professionals, including business English trainers, curriculum developers, academic trainers, and tech support providers. Its digital capabilities allow tutors to teach from home, providing quality education to students across 20 countries and good living opportunities for educators.
Gense Technologies | gensetechnologies.com
Hong Kong-based biotech startup Gense Technologies, led by Justin Chan, aims to make diagnostic capabilities accessible and easy. Gense’s affordable, portable, next-generation self-help medical imaging device provides targeted monitoring and early detection of diseases. Powered by cloud-based machine learning algorithms, these devices can be used in clinics or at home. Gense is in partnership talks with healthcare distributors from over 20 markets and collaborates with professors on clinical trials and engineering, aiming to make healthcare and early detection a vital part of everyday life.
To gain more insights, download the report (HERE)