Institutionalising Good Governance: Sustainability in Elaia's Portfolio
As part of the 2024 Elaia Sustainability Report, we’re featuring startups from the portfolio that stand out for their commitment to ESG. Next up, those advocating for good governance.
Dive into the full 2024 Sustainability Report at elaia.com/esg.
As investors, we are active board members for our portfolio companies, and recognise the need for good governance, and our role in that process. We often lead our investments, and are active board members in the majority of our portfolio companies.
Portfolio Case Study: SESAMm
We invested in many of our portfolio companies at a very early stage, supporting them as they scale rapidly. Governance mechanisms become more important as companies grow, and one of our standout portfolio companies in this area is SESAMm.
In the early days of growth, SESAMm has already developed numerous resources on best practices. They have implemented a comprehensive ESG taxonomy, enhancing granularity across environmental, social, and governance risk categories, and enabling more precise risk assessments. SESAMm’s commitment to robust governance is also reflected in their internal practices, including the appointment of an independent board member to bring diverse perspectives to strategic decision-making. By embedding strong governance principles early on, SESAMm sets a benchmark for responsible growth in the fintech sector.
Portfolio Case Study: SeqOne
SeqOne is a pioneering genomics company that handles personal medical data with the highest standards of security and privacy. Recognising the critical nature of this sensitive information, SeqOne has invested in advanced data protection technologies and follows rigorous protocols to ensure compliance with data security regulations. This commitment ensures that patient privacy is always safeguarded while enabling the company to deliver high-quality, cutting-edge genomic insights.
In addition to their focus on data security, SeqOne upholds strong ethical business practices. In the early days, they have nevertheless developed processes and grievance mechanisms in place to monitor compliance with the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) principles and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The company also has a comprehensive global sustainability policy, a code of business ethics, and an EU Whistleblower Directive- aligned whistleblower procedure, all of which reinforce their dedication to transparency, accountability, and responsible corporate governance. These features are part of a continuous improvement process aligned with the company’s growth and maturity.