Andrew Kuper Explained

Andrew Kuper
Birth Place:South Africa
Nationality:South African, Australian
Occupation:Entrepreneur, businessman, investor and author
Alma Mater:Harvard University
Witwatersrand University
University of Cambridge (PhD)
Known For:CEO, founder, LeapFrog Investments[1]

Andrew Kuper is a South African-Australian serial entrepreneur and investor in emerging markets.[2] As a pioneer of Profit with Purpose business,[3] Kuper has been credited with the birth of a virtuous new asset class.[4] He is the founder and CEO of LeapFrog Investments, a specialist investor in emerging markets, investing in financial services and healthcare.[5]

Former United States President Bill Clinton announced the launch of the company in 2008, recognising it for opening new frontiers in alternative investing.[6] LeapFrog has since attracted more than US$2 billion from global investors.[7] In 2017, Fortune ranked LeapFrog Investments as one of the top 5 Companies to Change the World, alongside Apple and Novartis.[8] Originally from South Africa, Kuper now resides in Sydney, Australia[9] and spends time in LeapFrog's offices in Europe, Africa and Asia.

Early life

Kuper was born in South Africa and brought up on a farm outside of Johannesburg. He is the son of anti-apartheid campaigners.[10] He began investing at the age of 10 and took on his first clients at age 13.[11] He attended the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg[12] followed by Harvard University where he won the Henry Fellowship. He later graduated from Cambridge University with a PhD in social science and political science supervised by Nobel laureate Amartya Sen.[2] [13]

Career

Early career

In 2004, Kuper was appointed to managing director at Ashoka, an organisation that finances thousands of social entrepreneurs.[14] Among other roles, he ran the Global Academy for Social Entrepreneurship, working with Muhammad Yunus of Grameen Bank and Fazle Abed of BRAC.[15] [16]

Founding LeapFrog Investments

In 2007, Kuper founded LeapFrog Investments. Using a distinctive 'profit with a purpose' approach, LeapFrog invests in companies that provide access to financial services, healthcare and climate solutions to underserved people in emerging markets.[17] [18] Since its establishment, as chief executive, Kuper has helped attract over $2 billion from global investors including Temasek,[19] AIA,[20] American International Group Inc. (AIG), Swiss Re AG, AXA SA and Prudential Financial.[21] [22] The companies in which the firm has invested have had an annual growth rate of more than 24% and reach 492 million people in 30 countries.

LeapFrog launched its Climate Investing Strategy in 2022,[23] marking a natural extension of the firm’s journey as a pioneer of impact investing, backing companies that deliver essential services and products that enable lower-income consumers to build better lives.

Awards

In 2018, Kuper was awarded the John S. Bickley Founders Award Gold Medal for Excellence by the International Insurance Society recognised for his pioneering work in profit with purpose investment.[24] Earlier in his career, Kuper received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.[25] He was also named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum,[26] and received the Young Presidents' Organization's Social Engagement Network Award. Kuper has delivered keynote addresses to the Clinton Global Initiative, Geneva Association CEO Meetings, the IFC/Emerging Markets Private Equity Association (EMPEA) summits, and the EY World Entrepreneur of the Year event. He is a board member of GPCA.[27]

In 2022, Kuper was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2022 Queen's Birthday Honours for "distinguished service to the impact investing industry, to global business leadership, and to financial inclusion".[28]

Kuper is the editor and lead author of one book on governance and globalisation, Global Responsibilities (Routledge, 2005) and the author of another, Democracy Beyond Borders (Oxford, 2004).[29]

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Taking a leap. Anna Lyudig. 25 July 2013. AfricaAM Asset Management. 27 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161220084431/http://www.africaammagazine.com/taking-a-leap/. 20 December 2016. dead.
  2. Web site: Raising capital, improving prospects. Max Mason. 1 September 2012. The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 April 2016. 5 June 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240605000338/https://www.smh.com.au/business/small-business/raising-capital-improving-prospects-20120903-2590o.html. live.
  3. Web site: 2018-10-02. Andy Kuper. 2021-09-02. World Bank Live. en. 21 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210621060242/https://live.worldbank.org/experts/andy-kuper. live.
  4. News: 2011-09-10. Happy returns. The Economist. 2021-09-02. 0013-0613. 2 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210902050737/https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2011/09/10/happy-returns. live.
  5. Web site: This investment firm is insuring families' rise out of poverty. Jessica Pothering. 30 December 2014. Entrepreneur. 27 April 2016. 8 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160808044940/http://www.dynamicbusiness.com.au/entrepreneur-profile/entrepreneur-of-the-year-nominees-revealed-16052012.html. live.
  6. Web site: President Clinton spotlights LeapFrog, first microinsurance firm. 28 September 2008. Insurance Journal. 27 April 2016. 13 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160513123903/http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2008/09/28/94121.htm. live.
  7. Web site: Szkutak. Rebecca. Investor LeapFrog Secures $500 Million Commitment From Temasek To Anchor Multiple Impact Funds. 2021-09-02. Forbes. en. 11 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210611045238/https://www.forbes.com/sites/rebeccaszkutak/2021/03/09/investor-leapfrog-secures-500-million-commitment-from-temasek-to-anchor-multiple-impact-funds/. live.
  8. Web site: How These 50 Innovative Companies Are Changing the World for Good. Fortune. en-US. 2018-08-29. 29 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180829192254/http://fortune.com/change-the-world/2017/. live.
  9. Web site: LeapFrog Investments snags $500m from Prudential for fintech in Africa. Sally Rose. 24 January 2016. The Sydney Morning Herald. 27 April 2016. 5 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160805015601/http://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/leapfrog-investments-snags-500m-from-prudential-for-fintech-in-africa-20160121-gmbkx0. live.
  10. Web site: Why Bill Clinton helped a 33-year-old build a $1bn firm. Will Smale. 23 January 2017. CNN. 16 February 2017. 17 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170217163830/http://www.bbc.com/news/business-38650096. live.
  11. Web site: Raising capital, improving prospects. Mason. Max. 2012-08-31. The Sydney Morning Herald. en. 2018-08-29. 22 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180622193237/https://www.smh.com.au/business/small-business/raising-capital-improving-prospects-20120903-2590o.html. live.
  12. Web site: LeapFrog closes second fund at $432m. Sally Rose. 9 September 2014. The Australian Financial Review. 27 April 2016. 13 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160513205031/http://www.afr.com/business/insurance/leapfrog-closes-second-fund-at-432m-20140909-jepxd. live.
  13. Web site: Leapfrog Investments raises second fund. 24 October 2013. Financial Mail. 27 April 2016. 31 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160531010240/http://www.financialmail.co.za/features/2013/10/24/leapfrog-investments-raises-second-fund. live.
  14. Web site: Foundation: Ashoka: Innovators For The Public. intelligent HQ. Paula. Newton. 9 February 2014. 27 April 2016. 9 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160509215745/http://www.intelligenthq.com/social-business-2/intelligenthq-series-on-social-entrepreneurship-foundations-part-2-2/. live.
  15. Web site: Microinsurance: The new microcredit. Alice Korngold. 2 December 2009. Fast Company. 27 April 2016. 5 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160805044526/http://www.fastcompany.com/1475816/microinsurance-new-microcredit. live.
  16. Web site: Meet the boss: Interview with Andrew Kuper, president and founder of LeapFrog Investments Ltd.. Stefanie Rubin. 13 November 2009. MicroCapital. 27 April 2016. 31 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160531010240/http://www.financialmail.co.za/features/2013/10/24/leapfrog-investments-raises-second-fund. live.
  17. Web site: Can Impact Investors Actually Make Money?. Devin Thorpe. 11 July 2013. Forbes. 27 April 2016. 1 June 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160601200903/http://www.forbes.com/sites/devinthorpe/2013/07/11/can-impact-investors-actually-make-money/. live.
  18. Web site: US insurer Prudential Financial makes African bet. 21 January 2016. Financial Times. 27 April 2016. 29 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160329184801/http://www.ft.com/fastft/2016/01/21/us-insurer-prudential-financial-makes-african-bet/. live.
  19. Web site: Flood. Chris. 2021-03-09. Temasek commits $500m to impact investing specialist LeapFrog. 2021-06-11. www.ft.com. en-GB. 11 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210611045229/https://www.ft.com/content/c77d10f5-8f09-4ff3-8b48-8f521ea00dec. live.
  20. Web site: Flood . Chris . June 6, 2023 . Hong Kong insurer AIA invests $200mn into impact funds . 21 February 2024 . 13 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240213202922/https://www.ft.com/content/b5dc6f0e-9484-4ebc-b027-e80cc1c9c712 . live .
  21. Web site: Insurers drawn by African dawn for cover, says LeapFrog. Renee Bonorchis. 31 October 2014. Bloomberg Business. 27 April 2016. 28 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160428021155/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-10-31/insurers-drawn-by-african-dawn-for-cover-says-leapfrog. live.
  22. Web site: Prudential Financial to Invest $350 Million in African Insurers. The Wall Street Journal. Simon. Clark. 22 January 2016. 27 April 2016. 26 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160426000025/http://www.wsj.com/articles/prudential-financial-to-invest-350-million-in-african-insurers-1453469558. live.
  23. Web site: 2022-09-19 . LeapFrog Launches Climate Investment Strategy . 2024-02-21 . LeapFrog Investments . en-US . 21 February 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240221031900/https://leapfroginvest.com/press-release/leapfrog-launches-climate-investment-strategy-appoints-new-partner/ . live .
  24. Web site: Andrew Kuper Named the 2018 Founder's Award Recipient International Insurance Society. www.internationalinsurance.org. en. 2018-08-29. 29 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180829175405/https://www.internationalinsurance.org/node/68. live.
  25. Web site: Entrepreneur of the year nominees revealed. Lorna Brett. 16 May 2015. Dynamic Business. 27 April 2016. 8 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160808044940/http://www.dynamicbusiness.com.au/entrepreneur-profile/entrepreneur-of-the-year-nominees-revealed-16052012.html. live.
  26. Web site: World Economic Forum Lists 21 Africans Amongst Young Global Leaders 2013. Ventures Africa. Douglas. Imaralu. 13 March 2013. 27 April 2016. 23 September 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160923145821/http://venturesafrica.com/world-economic-forum-selects-21-africans-amongst-young-global-leaders-2013/. live.
  27. News: Global Private Capital Association . 2022-07-01 . Board of Directors - GPCA . en-US . GPCA . 2022-07-01 . 2 June 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220602221857/https://www.globalprivatecapital.org/board-and-team/ . live .
  28. News: Queen's Birthday 2022 Honours - the full list . 12 June 2022 . Sydney Morning Herald . Nine Entertainment Co. . 12 June 2022 . 5 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221005223153/https://www.smh.com.au/national/queen-s-birthday-2022-honours-the-full-list-20220609-p5askg.html . live .
  29. Book: Kuper, Andrew . Democracy Beyond Borders: Justice and Representation in Global Institutions . 2004-09-09 . Oxford University PressOxford . 978-0-19-927490-1 . 1 . en . 10.1093/0199274908.001.0001 . 23 April 2023 . 23 April 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230423232428/https://academic.oup.com/book/8488 . live .

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