Couple Has Supported Brain Research and Routers in Remote Parts of the World

BRCK, a Kenyan company, has sold only 800 of its gadgets that work as modems and routers, but having the Cases’ backing impresses potential investors. BRCK, a Kenyan company, has sold only 800 of its gadgets that work as modems and routers, but having the Cases’ backing impresses potential investors.

November 3, 2014 | Read Time: 1 minute

Steve and Jean Case plan to make $50-million in “impact investments” during the next three to five years.

The goal of an impact investment is to do good while achieving a financial return. The Cases will make the investments personally, through the Case Foundation or through Steve Case’s start-up investment firm Revolution.

Here’s a look at some of the impact investments the two have made.

BRCK

This company in Nairobi, Kenya, markets durable routers and wireless devices for use in extremely remote areas.

The Cases’ investment accounted for less than half of the start-up’s $1.2-million seed round of investing.

Network for Good

The nonprofit spun off a for-profit entity of the same name in 2013. The Cases have been longtime donors to the site, which processes online contributions to nonprofits. The Cases and Network for Good declined to say how much the couple has invested.

Georgetown University

The Case Foundation donated $100,000 to the Global Social Enterprise Initiative at the McDonough School of Business to support efforts to increase impact investing in the United States.

Brainscope

This early-stage research and development company studies brain trauma and has landed $27-million in government contracts since it was founded in 2007. Mr. Case’s brother Dan died of brain cancer in 2002. Brainscope and the Cases declined to say how much the Cases have invested.