Question 1

How does the Impact Shakers Microfund work?

Accepted Answer

The Impact Shakers Microfund is an investment cooperative. We operate like an investment fund: several individuals and legal entities invest a certain amount of money in the Impact Shakers Microfund. The Impact Shakers Microfund then uses the envelope to invest this money in companies that have a positive impact on society and the environment. These companies will then generate income (dividends or interests), which will be paid back to the Impact Shakers Microfund and then to the Impact Shakers Microfund’s investors (as dividend).
Putting money into the Impact Shakers Microfund is therefore an investment and not a philanthropic act.

Question 2

Who is behind the Impact Shakers Microfund?

Accepted Answer

Impact Shakers Coop is founded by 4 A Shareholders:
a. Yonca Braeckman, Diana Karolin Pati, Alina Klarner and Anaïs Bouzidi are the founders of Impact Shakers Hub BV. They set up the Impact Shakers brand to realise the societal and environmental mission and vision that is also the object of this company. The different legal entities each have their own role and together they aim to achieve a systemic shift.

Question 3

Who can invest in the Impact Shakers Microfund?

Accepted Answer

Impact Shakers Coop is accessible to any natural adult or legal entity who is legally capable, regardless of whether they are Belgian or a foreigner. Please note that depending on your nationality and your capacity, the tax consequences applicable to your income may differ.

Question 4

How much can I invest?

Accepted Answer

The minimum amount you can invest is €250. You can take as many shares as you wish. Your investment is, therefore, a multiple of €250.

Question 5

How to invest?

Accepted Answer

The public offering is closed for now. Register for the Impact Shakers newsletter if you'd like to stay up to date with any changes.

Question 6

Why invest in the Impact Shakers Microfund?

Accepted Answer

By investing your money in the Impact Shakers Microfund, you become a real actor of change. You make your money matter and finance companies that contribute to a better world.

Question 7

How do you select the companies you invest in?

Accepted Answer

The choice of projects is made through a rigorous selection and validation process, involving cooperators as well as external experts. A triple-checking system ensures that social enterprises are selected with the utmost care. This process of analysis of projects and its criteria is detailed in the Rules of Procedure available on the Impact Shakers Coop website.

Question 8

What risk is associated with investing in the Impact Shakers Microfund?

Accepted Answer

Like any investment, this involves a risk. The main risk linked to Impact Shakers Coop's activity is that the companies invested by Impact Shakers Coop go bankrupt and that Impact Shakers Coop loses its investment. To mitigate this risk, Impact Shakers Coop seeks expert advice before investing in companies and provides support to the invested companies through its development partner Impact Shakers Hub BV. Impact Shakers Coop diversifies the sectors of activity from which the companies financed come in order to reduce the market risks. Finally, Impact Shakers Coop never invests more than 15% of its investment capacity in a single company. For an overview of all risks see the ‘Information Note’ available on the Impact Shakers Coop website.

Question 9

How long will my capital be used?

Accepted Answer

Participation in the projects can take the form of:
a. Participation in the capital of the projects;
b. Subordinated or convertible loans;
c. A mixture of these two types of investment.
This means that some of the investments will be repaid as loans, and some of the investments will be in the form of shares in the invested projects. The loans will have a fixed term, but also might convert into shares. Investment in shares is a longer term investment. We see a horizon of 7 to 10 years.

Question 10

How is the Impact Shakers Microfund remunerated?

Accepted Answer

For each type of share subscribed, an annual management fee of 3% on the capital invested at that time is charged to cover part of the operating costs of Impact Shakers Coop.
During the launch phase of Impact Shakers Coop, Impact Shakers Hub BV will cover the due diligence, observer and promotion costs of Impact Shakers Coop free of charge until such time as the company's income is sufficient to cover them.

Question 11

What return can I expect on my investments?

Accepted Answer

Your investment will potentially have a double return: a guaranteed societal and/or environmental return (due to the impact of the companies financed), and a potential financial return of 6% of the nominal value of the shares. This financial return is by no means guaranteed.
The 6% limit is imposed on us pending our CNC approval, following the article 31 of the Articles of Association and the Royal Decree of 8 January 1962 setting the conditions for the approval of groups of cooperative companies and cooperative societies. The withholding tax will be withheld at the percentage imposed by the legal requirements. The surplus (above 6%) will be retained, in particular to ensure a dividend in the coming years or to absorb any losses relating to a specific investment. Dividends are payable at the places and times determined by the Board of Directors.

Question 12

Is an investment in the Impact Shakers Microfund eligible for the tax shelter?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, an investment in the Impact Shakers Microfund is currently not eligible for the Belgian Tax Shelter.

Question 13

What tax applies to my investments and how do I declare it?

Accepted Answer

In Belgium, income from movable property, i.e. income from shares (dividends), is subject to tax. This is called withholding tax. In the case of Impact Shakers Coop cooperative shares, this tax is collected by withholding the withholding tax (30%). Impact Shakers Coop will automatically withhold this withholding tax (30%) due by the members and pay it to the tax authorities. For natural persons, there is an exemption from withholding tax on dividends. for the income year 2025, tax year 2026, the exemption amount is € 833.

Question 14

Can you recuperate your investment?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Members wishing to leave the fund will be able to recover the maximum nominal value of their shares. Following Article 15 of the Articles of Association, the resigning or excluded Member is entitled to the repayment of the nominal value of his shares provided that the book value is higher than the nominal value. If the book value is lower than the nominal value, the resigning or excluded Shareholder shall only be entitled to the book value of his shares. In addition, the Member shall be entitled to the reimbursement of his shares if the total reimbursements do not exceed annually one-tenth of the net assets, as shown in the previous balance sheet approved by the General Assembly. If this were the case, the redemption would be postponed until conditions permit. Reimbursement to the resigning or excluded Member shall be made in the order of arrival of the simple letter or email.

Question 15

What is participatory governance “1 person = 1 vote”?

Accepted Answer

In a company, governance is the set of decision-making, information (transparancy) and monitoring bodies and rules enabling the stakeholders and partners of an institution to see their interests respected and their voices heard in the running of the insitution.
Participatory governance “1 person = 1 vote” is specific to cooperatives: the same weight being given to each member, regardless of the number of shares he holds, opens the way to democratic decisions and fairer practices.

Question 16

What are my rights as a cooperator?

Accepted Answer

Class A and B shares offer the same rights and obligations to their holders.
Voting rights: Each member has one vote, regardless of the number of shares held. With the exception of the cases provided for by law, decisions will be taken by a simple majority of votes, regardless of the number of shares represented.

FAQ