What 2X Global does

2X Global is a London-based non-profit membership network and field-building organization that advances gender-smart investing across the global financial system. Formed on 1 January 2023 through the full merger of GenderSmart and the 2X Collaborative, it serves over 150 institutional members spanning development finance institutions, fund managers, family offices, pension funds, banks, foundations, and corporations in both developed and emerging markets. The organization operates through three strategic pillars: building investor capacity, advancing global standards, and shifting markets at scale. Its core products include the 2X Criteria (benchmarking standards), 2X Challenge (capital mobilization initiative launched at the 2018 G7 that has mobilized over $33 billion since inception), 2X Ignite (capacity building program), 2X Certification (credentialing), 2X Forum (community platform), and the Resilient Futures Fund, supplemented by knowledge resources such as toolkits, reports, case studies, and the Field Notes blog.

The organization runs a community-led, membership-based go-to-market with no proprietary technology platform; delivery is anchored on standards-setting, peer learning networks, training programs, and convening events. Its revenue model combines recurring annual membership fees (categorized for investors, intermediaries, and ecosystem actors), grants and sponsorship from development finance institutions, foundations, and corporate sponsors, and transaction-based registration fees for programs including the 2X Global Summit. Distribution occurs through direct enterprise engagement with institutional members, a Circle.so-powered self-serve member portal, flagship events, and a referral network including GIIN, OECD, ANDE, GSG, Toniic, and AVPN. The 2024-2027 2X Challenge carries a US$20 billion collective commitment, and the 2025 Summit is co-hosted with the Asian Development Bank, signaling expansion into Asia-Pacific.

Name

2X Global

Legal name

2X Global

Website

https://2xglobal.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

2X Global is a London-based non-profit membership network and field-building organization that advances gender-smart investing through standards, certification, and capital mobilization, serving over 150 institutional members across DFIs, fund managers, foundations, and corporations worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Membership fees from institutional investors, asset holders, and investment intermediaries form a core revenue stream. There are membership categories for investors, investment intermediaries, and other ecosystem actors with an application process and membership contributions.
2. Grants and Sponsorship: Grants and sponsorship support from development finance institutions, foundations, and corporate sponsors who support the field-building mission of gender lens investing.
3. Programme Registration Fees: Registration fees for programs including GenderSmart Investing Summits, online convenings, and other educational forums and events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

2X Global operates a membership network and field-building organization for institutional investors, intermediaries, and asset holders advancing gender-smart investing. Its core offerings include the 2X Criteria benchmarking standards, 2X Certification program, 2X Challenge capital mobilization initiative, 2X Ignite capacity-building program, 2X Forum community platform, and knowledge resources (toolkits, reports, case studies, Field Notes). Members gain access to peer learning networks, deal-sharing platforms, and certification tools to deploy capital with a gender lens across asset classes and markets.

Product overview

2X Global is a membership network and field-building organization that advances finance as a force for equity through three strategic pillars: Build Investor Capacity, Advance Global Standards, and Shift Markets at Scale. The organization offers programs including 2X Criteria (benchmarking standards for gender-smart investing), 2X Challenge (capital mobilization initiative), 2X Ignite (capacity building), 2X Certification (credentialing), 2X Forum (community engagement), and the Resilient Futures Fund. Knowledge resources include toolkits, reports, case studies, Field Notes blog, and a comprehensive Knowledge Hub.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 2X Ignite: One of the core programmes under the 2X Global umbrella, focused on advancing gender-smart investing.
• 2X Challenge
• 2X Certification
• 2X Criteria
• 2X Forum

Products and services

• 2X Criteria
• 2X Challenge
• 2X Ignite
• 2X Certification
• 2X Forum
• Resilient Futures Fund
• GenderSmart Investing Summit (2X Global Summit)

Quantifiable outcome

• $33 billion mobilized in gender-smart investments globally since 2018
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

66 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PIDG (Private Infrastructure Development Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPIDG joined the 2X Challenge to reinforce its commitment to integrate a gender lens across infrastructure investments and ensure more inclusive, climate-resilient outcomes. PIDG works to design and invest in infrastructure projects across emerging markets with gender and climate integration.
• Triodos Investment ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTriodos partnered with established working groups including CERISE SPTF and gender-smart investment leaders like 2X Global and UN Women to develop their gender lens investment strategy, drawing on existing expertise, standards and tools for gender lens investing.
• Asian Development Bank (ADB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerADB co-hosts the 2X Global Summit 2025 and partners with over 20 private equity funds to advance gender lens investing strategies across Asia and the Pacific. ADB uses the 2X Challenge framework and gender equality scorecard.
• Catalytic Climate Finance Facility (CC Facility)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCC Facility partners with climate finance vehicles to provide practical technical assistance integrating gender into operations and investment activities. Works across energy, agriculture, blue economy, and financial services sectors.
• European Investment Bank (EIB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEIB participates in the 2X Challenge and signed a $15 million loan to distribute BURN's electric cookers. EIB applies the 2X Challenge framework for gender lens investing in climate projects.
• GIIN (Global Impact Investing Network)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner2X Global maintains working relationships with GIIN as part of the wider ecosystem of market actors advancing impact investing and gender lens investing.
• OECDminorStrategic or Co-development Partner2X Global collaborates with OECD on advancing gender lens investing standards and market development within the broader policy ecosystem.
• ANDE (Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with ANDE to strengthen industry linkages and partner on initiatives supporting broader ecosystem reach and collective impact for small and growing businesses.
• GSG (Global Steering Group for Impact Investment)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with GSG to advance the impact investing field and gender lens investing within national and regional ecosystems.
• ToniicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Toniic as part of the impact investing ecosystem to advance gender lens investing and connect practitioners.
• AVPN (Asian Venture Philanthropy Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with AVPN to support ecosystem development in Asia and connect gender lens investing practitioners across the network.
• FAW (Female Angel Women)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking relationship with FAW to support women investors and advance gender lens investing ecosystem development.
• Aruwa CapitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAruwa Capital is an active member of 2X Global. Every Aruwa investment must meet at least one 2X Criteria. Aruwa Capital's Fund II achieved second close at $35 million backed by institutional investors including Mastercard Foundation Africa Growth Fund, Visa Foundation, BII, and EDFI Management Company.
• BURN ManufacturingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBURN Manufacturing is a 2X Challenge qualified company. Women constitute 70% of its customer base. Nearly half of BURN's 3,500 employees are women. EIB provided $15 million loan under 2X Challenge for electric cooker distribution.
• CERISE SPTFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTriodos partnered with CERISE SPTF alongside 2X Global and UN Women to draw on existing expertise, standards and tools for gender lens investing.
• UN WomencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTriodos partnered with UN Women alongside CERISE SPTF and 2X Global to draw on existing expertise, standards and tools for gender lens investing.
• CariboucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCaribou produced a synthesis of 115+ studies on clean energy and women's economic empowerment in partnership with Value for Women, with support from Shell Foundation, FCDO, and Gates Foundation. This report advances evidence base for gender-clean energy nexus.
• Value for WomencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerValue for Women partnered with Caribou on research on clean energy as catalyst for women's economic empowerment. Provides expertise on gender lens investing analysis.
• Kore GlobalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKore Global led a synthesis of four independent DFI portfolio evaluations covering 81 investments across BII, Proparco, FinDev Canada, and FMO portfolios. Produced report 'Show Me the Impact' validating the 2X Criteria.
• British International Investment (BII)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBII is a DFI member whose portfolio was included in the 81-investment synthesis validating 2X Criteria. BII participates in the 2X Challenge and has gender lens investing commitments.
• FinDev CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinDev Canada is a DFI member whose portfolio was included in the 81-investment synthesis. FinDev Canada qualifies investments under 2X Challenge including Genneia S.A.
• ProparcocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProparco is a French DFI whose portfolio was included in the 81-investment synthesis. Proparco is a 2X Challenge participating investor.
• FMO (Dutch Development Bank)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFMO is a Dutch development bank whose portfolio was included in the 81-investment synthesis validating 2X Criteria. FMO participates in the 2X Challenge.
• Developing World Markets (DWM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDWM is a qualifying investor for 2X Challenge investments including Banco Solidario. DWM provides gender lens investment financing in emerging markets.
• Global Innovation FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Innovation Fund is a qualifying investor for 2X Challenge investments including Science for Society Technologies (S4S Technologies) in India.
• Pro MujercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPro Mujer is a social enterprise with 35+ years advancing gender equality in Latin America. Delivered 529,000+ health services in 2024 across Latin America. Partners include MSD for Mothers, MetLife Foundation for health programs.
• Scale InvestorscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScale Investors is Australia's original gender lens investment angel group. Roo Harris, co-owner, is 2X Global's Ambassador for Australia. Scale Investors recognized on Fortune's Change the World list.
• Women's Finance ExchangecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's Finance Exchange (WFX) has partnered with 54 financial institutions across 11 countries to deliver tailored financing solutions for women entrepreneurs. An ADB initiative.
• ADB Ventures Fund 1coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerADB Ventures Fund 1 is a venture fund that sets benchmarks for gender-inclusive innovation. 32% of startups supported were founded by women, exceeding global averages.
• ABC ImpactcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerABC Impact is a private equity fund that leverages the 2X Challenge framework to shape gender lens investing methodologies. Partners with ADB on gender-inclusive investments.
• NorthstarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthstar is a private equity fund leveraging the 2X Challenge framework for gender lens investing methodologies and gender-inclusive outcomes.
• CreadorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreador is a private equity fund that leverages the 2X Challenge framework for gender lens investing methodologies in their investment approach.
• QuadriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQuadria is a healthcare-focused private equity fund that has developed proprietary gender inclusive impact tools to monitor and enhance gender equality performance across investments.
• NavejarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNavejar has adopted ADB's gender equality scorecard to embed a gender lens into investment processes, ensuring gender considerations are systematically evaluated across portfolio companies.
• GrowtheumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrowtheum has adopted ADB's gender equality scorecard to embed a gender lens into investment processes across portfolio companies.
• Lombard AsiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLombard Asia has adopted ADB's gender equality scorecard to embed a gender lens into investment processes across portfolio companies.
• KV AsiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKV Asia has adopted ADB's gender equality scorecard to embed a gender lens into investment processes across portfolio companies.
• BURNcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBURN Manufacturing is a company founded by Peter Scott that makes highly efficient electric, wood and gas stoves. Women constitute 70% of its customer base. Nearly half of BURN's 3,500 employees are women. EIB provided $15 million loan under 2X Challenge.
• Climate Policy InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClimate Policy Initiative provides analysis on climate and gender finance. Supports the care economy and climate finance gender integration research.
• KPMGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKPMG supports 2X Challenge ecosystem as a member organization. Provides expertise on gender lens investing standards and implementation.
• IFCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFC is a member of 2X Global and a participating investor in the 2X Challenge, financing gender-smart investments in the private sector in emerging markets.
• EBRDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEBRD is a member of 2X Global and participates in the 2X Challenge, integrating gender considerations across its investment portfolio.
• EIBcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEIB is a member of 2X Global and key member of 2X Challenge initiative, accelerating private sector investments for women in low and middle income countries.
• JICAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJICA is a member of 2X Global and participates in gender lens investing initiatives through the 2X Challenge framework.
• DFC (US International Development Finance Corporation)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDFC is a member of 2X Global and participates in gender lens investing through the 2X Challenge, supporting women's economic empowerment in developing countries.
• CDC GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDC Group (now British International Investment) is a member of 2X Global and a founding participant in the 2X Challenge.
• SwedfundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedfund is a member of 2X Global and participates in gender lens investing through the 2X Challenge framework.
• NorfundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorfund is a member of 2X Global and participates in gender lens investing through the 2X Challenge framework for investments in Africa.
• FMOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFMO is a member of 2X Global and Dutch development bank participating in the 2X Challenge.
• FinnfundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFinnfund is a member of 2X Global and Finnish development finance company participating in gender lens investing initiatives.
• ProparcocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProparco is a member of 2X Global and French development finance institution participating in 2X Challenge.
• DEGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDEG is a member of 2X Global and German development finance institution participating in gender lens investing.
• BII (British International Investment)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBII is a member of 2X Global and UK's development finance institution. BII participated in DFI portfolio synthesis validating 2X Criteria.
• AcumencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcumen is a member of 2X Global and pioneering impact investment fund manager working on gender lens investing.
• Rockefeller FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRockefeller Foundation is a member of 2X Global and supports gender lens investing and impact investing ecosystem development.
• Ford FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFord Foundation is a member of 2X Global and supports gender equality and impact investing through grants and program-related investments.
• Bank of Industry (Nigeria)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBank of Industry Nigeria is a member of 2X Global and supports Aruwa Capital Fund II as institutional LP for gender lens investing in Africa.
• GIZcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIZ is a member of 2X Global and German development agency supporting gender lens investing initiatives.
• USAIDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSAID is a member of 2X Global and US government development agency supporting gender lens investing.
• ADB (Asian Development Bank)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerADB is a member of 2X Global and co-hosts 2X Global Summit 2025. Committed $24.3 billion in total financing in 2024 with 100% of private sector projects integrating gender actions.
• IDB InvestcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIDB Invest is a member of 2X Global and Inter-American Development Bank's private sector arm supporting gender lens investing in Latin America.
• BlueOrchardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBlueOrchard is a member of 2X Global and impact investment specialist managing gender-smart investment strategies.
• Triodos Investment ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTriodos is a member of 2X Global and launched gender lens investment strategy in 2025 based on partnership with 2X Global and UN Women.
• Root CapitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRoot Capital is a member of 2X Global and has invested in over 120 gender-inclusive and women-led agribusinesses, analyzing $1 billion of loans showing businesses with higher women's leadership had more stable revenues and lower default rates.
• DalbergcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDalberg is a member of 2X Global and strategic advisory firm working on gender lens investing and development finance.
• CoraluscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoralus is a member of 2X Global and supports gender lens investing ecosystem with innovation and startup-focused approach.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Asian Venture Philanthropy Network (AVPN): AVPN is the Asia-Pacific-focused counterpart to 2X Global's expanding APAC footprint (e.g., 2X Summit 2025 with ADB). Comparable as a membership-based field-builder and knowledge network for impact/philanthropic capital, but geographically specialized.

Direct peers

• Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE): ANDE is a field-builder network supporting small and growing businesses in emerging markets, with a member model similar to 2X Global. It collaborates with 2X Global through gender lens investing initiatives but operates across entrepreneurial development, not exclusively gender.
• Toniic: Toniic is a global impact investing community of high-net-worth investors and family offices. Comparable to 2X Global in operating a member community, knowledge hub, and impact standards focus, though Toniic is more investor-led and impact-broad while 2X Global is gender-specialist.
• Global Steering Group for Impact Investment (GSG): GSG operates national advisory bodies that mobilize impact capital via policy and partnerships. It shares 2X Global's field-builder role — convening investors, governments, and intermediaries to shift capital allocation — and is a strategic ecosystem partner listed in 2X Global's partnerships.
• Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN): GIIN is the closest peer — a membership-based field-building organization that develops standards (IRIS+), research, and convening for impact investing. Like 2X Global, GIIN aggregates institutional investors, asset managers, and DFIs and serves as a knowledge/community hub, though GIIN spans impact broadly while 2X Global is specifically gender-focused.

Emerging players

• Convergence Blended Finance: Convergence is a field-builder for blended finance that curates deals, connects DFIs with private capital, and produces research. Comparable to 2X Global's role as a connector and data provider in the gender-finance space, though Convergence emphasizes blended structures more broadly.
• Value for Women: Value for Women is a gender lens investing advisory firm that partners with investors (including 2X Global partners like Caribou). It is comparable as a gender-specialized capacity-builder but is a smaller advisory rather than a membership network.
• Impact Management Project (Impact Frontiers): Impact Frontiers (formerly Impact Management Project) builds norms and standards for measuring and managing impact — directly comparable to 2X Global's 2X Criteria, but oriented to broader impact dimensions. It competes in the same 'standards setter' lane for institutional investors.
• Female Angels Women (FAW): FAW is a network of women angel investors advancing gender lens investing at the early-stage end of the market. Comparable to 2X Global in mission and ecosystem role but focused specifically on angel investing, making it a complementary rather than directly competing peer.

Broad incumbents

• IFC Gender Finance Program: IFC operates its own gender finance program and 2X-aligned criteria within the World Bank Group. As both a 2X Global member and a competing/overlapping standards setter, IFC is the broad incumbent in gender-smart investment standards for emerging markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2x-global

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 2X Global