British International Investment (BII) is the UK's development finance institution and impact investor — a government-owned organisation whose sole shareholder is the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Formerly known as CDC Group, it invests in businesses in developing countries to improve people's lives and help protect the planet, working to address the underlying causes of poverty and the climate crisis. With investments in over 1,600 businesses across 66 countries and total net assets of £9.87 billion, it is one of the largest impact investors in the world.

The mandate: patient capital for productive, inclusive economies

BII describes itself as a trusted investment partner to businesses in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, investing to create productive, sustainable and inclusive economies. Unlike commercial funds, it deploys patient capital — equity and debt, directly and through funds — with a development mandate. The climate agenda is central: between 2022 and 2026, at least 30 per cent of its total new commitments by value are in climate finance, and it is a founding member of the 2X Challenge, which has raised over US$33.6 billion to empower women's economic development.

India: a $1 billion climate commitment

India is one of BII's most important markets. The institution has exceeded a $1 billion climate commitment in the country, backing ventures such as GreenCell Mobility, which plans to deploy 570 electric buses in Delhi, and EnerGrid, which received a $110 million commitment and has commissioned India's first standalone utility-scale battery energy storage system. Other Indian investments include agri-tech company Fasal and regenerative-agriculture venture Grow Indigo. BII has also committed $25 million to CX Partners Fund II, backing Indian mid-market growth through domestic fund managers.

How BII works with founders

BII invests across sectors — financial services, health, technology and telecoms, food and agriculture, infrastructure, manufacturing and more — both directly and via funds like CX Partners Fund II. It has also launched a US$1.5 billion British Climate Partners initiative to accelerate the energy transition across Asian developing economies. Because it is a development institution, BII brings rigorous environmental, social and governance standards to every deal — founders who work with it get not just capital but a credibility signal that unlocks further private investment.

Why it matters for founders

BII is not a VC — you will not pitch it for a seed round. But if you are building a business that creates jobs, expands financial inclusion, builds climate solutions or improves lives in India or other emerging markets, BII's patient capital can be transformative. The best route for most founders is through its fund managers (like CX Partners in India) or its sector teams for direct investments at scale. The bar is high on impact and ESG — meet it, and you gain one of the world's most credible co-investors.