ESG Policy

The Oregon Venture Fund seeks to invest in companies with the potential to make the world a better place. We have a duty to act in the best interests of all our beneficiaries, including our investors, the companies we back, their customers and employees, and our broader community. We believe that good environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) practices can positively affect the performance of our investment portfolios.

OVF actively promotes good ESG practices within our management team, our funds, and our portfolio companies. Since 2018, OVF is a signatory to - and follower of - the UN Principles for Responsible Investment.

We commit to the following values, which serve as our guidelines for responsible investing and business practices.

Environmental

• Minimize environmental impact and encourage environmental consciousness

• Promote the responsible use of resources - e.g., water, energy, natural resources

• Limit consumption of environmentally scarce and non-renewable resources

• Limit production of waste and improve recycling - e.g., through the active sorting and recycling of office and meeting waste

• No investments in companies that involve the exploration or production of oil and gas, mining, the production of toxic outputs, or are otherwise harmful to the environment and habitats.

Social

• Promote diversity and equal opportunities

• Zero tolerance for discrimination of any kind

• Encourage innovation, promote regional economic growth and broad-based wealth creation, and enhance the global competitiveness of our portfolio companies

• Address consumer interests - e.g., health, safety, privacy

• Respect employees' and contractors’ rights to good working conditions - e.g., compensation, working hours, health, and safety

• No investments in companies whose core products or services at the time of investment are primarily intended for use in weapons, or dedicated weapons delivery systems, or whose primary target customers are organizations purchasing those products for such purposes. General-purpose and dual-use technologies are eligible for investment when civilian and non‑weapons applications are the primary intended use.

• No investments in companies whose business activities involve the promotion of tobacco, alcohol, recreational drugs, casinos, gambling, prostitution, pornography, or racist, hateful, or anti-democratic media

• Promote respect for internationally recognized human rights

• Support elimination of child and forced labor

• Offer regular anti-bias training and discussion to increase awareness and sensitivity among OVF fund managers, venture partners, and portfolio company leaders

Governance

• Maintain strict anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, and data privacy policies

• Promote the highest standards of business ethics

• Follow the appropriate private equity principles of the Institutional L.P. Association

• Provide timely reporting to our investors on ESG matters

Before We Invest

In our company screening, cultivation, and due diligence activities, we identify and evaluate potential ESG-related issues before making an investment decision. We make extra efforts to be visible with, accessible to, and supportive of BIPOC and female founders and other historically underrepresented founders. A goal is for at least two underrepresented individuals to serve on each OVF due diligence team. Our due diligence screens out potential investments that could have a negative impact on the environment or society.

After We Invest

OVF’s strategic plan includes several DEI-related initiatives and goals, including:

• 100% of board searches include candidates from underrepresented groups

• 50% of OVF board placements are individuals from underrepresented groups

As part of our support of portfolio companies we provide guidance on ways to improve ESG performance.

Fund Operations

OVF managers are committed to good governance practices and have implemented several compliance and control structures. For instance, our Compliance Manual and Investor Handbook contain comprehensive Conflicts of Interest policies and good practices. We are advised by a statutory advisory board – The Council of Wise OVFs – and an Investment Strategy Board. We ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations throughout our business, including Know-Your-Customer processes, an Anti-Harassment & Discrimination policy, and compliance with the Financial Markets Anti-Money Laundering Act. We are committed to acting according to the highest ethical standards and to holding ourselves accountable.

Since 2018, OVF has been a signatory of the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) and committed to adopting and implementing its core principles.

Community & Civic Engagement

OVF sponsors and supports partner organizations in our community that promote environmental sustainability and opportunities for underrepresented entrepreneurs. When a portfolio company exits, we encourage the founders and our investors to contribute to the OVF Community Giving Fund at the Oregon Community Foundation. The Community Giving Fund provides annual grants to non-profits selected by our portfolio companies, as a way to highlight and encourage community giving and civic engagement. The returns on the State of Oregon’s investments in OVF support public education in Oregon.

updated 6/25/26