Koppa - The LGBTI+ Economic Power Lab

Background

Koppa, established in January 2024, is dedicated to unleashing global LGBTI+ economic power through knowledge, financing, and connection. The organization focuses on changing systems to create a more equitable future for LGBTI+ individuals worldwide.

Key Strategic Focus

Koppa's strategic initiatives include:

Technical Assistance: Providing expert advice and support for LGBTI+ economic inclusion initiatives to governments, development finance institutions, and the private sector.

Convene Networks: Building and connecting communities to strengthen the LGBTI+ economic ecosystem.

Data and Knowledge: Developing insights and tools to inform and empower LGBTI+ economic actors.

Crowd-in Finance: Fostering diverse funding sources for LGBTI+ economic growth.

Incubate Solutions: Co-creating solutions to deliver social and economic gains for all.

Talent Accelerator: Building capacity to support LGBTI+ economic development.

These initiatives are guided by principles of intersectionality, innovation, and equity.

Financials and Funding

As a nonprofit organization, Koppa's funding details are not publicly disclosed. The organization collaborates with various partners to support its initiatives.

Pipeline Development

Koppa's key initiatives include:

Data LIFT: Addressing the need for high-quality data on LGBTI+ individuals to drive policy change. The first effort in Belize resulted in the country's first diagnostic on the economic exclusion of LGBTI+ people.

Inclusive Finance Forum: A two-day global event scheduled for October 9-10, 2025, in New York City, aiming to unite actors across the financial sector and LGBTIQ+ thought leaders to foster dialogue and scale inclusive finance globally.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Koppa leverages data-driven approaches and partnerships to promote LGBTI+ economic inclusion. The organization emphasizes the use of inclusive data to inform policies and initiatives, as demonstrated in projects like Data LIFT.

Leadership Team

Fabrice Houdart: Co-Founder of Koppa, with 20 years of experience at the World Bank and the United Nations. He co-authored the UN Corporate Standards of Conduct for Business and teaches on sexual orientation and gender identity in development at Georgetown and Columbia Universities.

M.V. Lee Badgett: Co-Founder and Chief Economist at Koppa, Professor Emeritx of Economics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She has contributed to research on LGBTI+ economic issues and co-authored reports like "Outsized Impact: How Investment Can Address the Systemic Risk of LGBTQIA+ Inequity."

Leadership Changes

No recent significant changes or appointments within Koppa's leadership have been publicly disclosed.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The LGBTI+ economic inclusion sector is evolving, with increasing recognition of the need for inclusive data and policies. Organizations are focusing on addressing economic disparities and promoting financial inclusion for LGBTI+ individuals.

Competitor Analysis

Key organizations in this space include:

LesbianGlobal: Focuses on economic empowerment for LBQ women, leveraging AI tools to uncover data about LBQ women's economic realities and attract funding.

Colorful Capital: Addresses systemic risks of LGBTQIA+ inequity through investment, offering frameworks for investors to promote LGBTQIA+ equity and inclusion.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Koppa collaborates with various organizations to advance its mission:

United Nations Agencies: Partnered with the UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative, UN Global Compact, and UN Human Rights to organize the "Ring the Bell for LGBTIQ+ Equality" events.

Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth: Collaborating to host the Inclusive Finance Forum, aiming to foster dialogue and scale inclusive finance globally.

Operational Insights

Koppa's distinct competitive advantages include:

Data-Driven Approach: Emphasis on high-quality, inclusive data to inform policies and initiatives.

Global Partnerships: Collaborations with international organizations to amplify impact.

Focus on Economic Empowerment: Targeted initiatives to address economic disparities faced by LGBTI+ individuals.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Koppa aims to expand its initiatives to other countries, building on the success of projects like Data LIFT in Belize. The organization seeks to foster greater collaboration across global initiatives, harnessing commercial power to tangibly affect the lives of millions.