CleanStart is a Vancouver-based social enterprise focused on building an inclusive local economy. They provide junk removal, pest control, and cleaning services to non-profit housing groups, property management companies, construction companies, and residential clients. CleanStart hires, trains, and supports individuals with self-identified barriers to employment, such as poverty and disability, that tend to reside in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside neighbourhood.
Focus Area: Employment for marginalized individuals (SDG 8.5)
Deal size: $80,000 impact-adjusted loan and $35,000 bridge loan
Year: 2019
When CleanStart approached the Vancouver Propel Impact Fund, they were looking to grow their organization by expanding into new service offerings and new geographic regions. Given that they are a social enterprise, traditional investors overlooked the opportunity to invest in CleanStart’s expansion.
The Vancouver Propel Impact Fund provided an $85,000 low-interest loan, followed by a $35,000 bridge loan, designed to support the organization’s expansion while aligning financial returns with social outcomes. The investment incorporated impact-adjusted return conditions. Every quarter, the investment team tracked agreed-upon impact metrics tied to employment outcomes. As CleanStart increased the number of employees facing barriers to employment and expanded workforce diversity, the interest rate on the loan decreased.
CleanStart has delivered significant employment and community impact since the investment. Through its supportive employment model, the organization has provided over 87,000 hours of supportive employment, $1.76M in wages for workers facing barriers, and a social return estimated at $5.7M in community impact.
Both loans were successfully repaid in 2022. Today, CleanStart continues to grow its operations and employment programs while providing essential services across the region.
The impact
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