Athena Global

Athena Global is a US-based, woman-owned, decade-old niche consulting firm applying private sector financing approaches to solve traditional development challenges through our lending platform BIDUK as well as advisory services. We have expertise in gender lens investing (GLI); structuring impact finance funds (debt and equity), investment vehicles and products; financial institution risk management, and impact investing advisory to use finance as a tool for positive social change. The Athena business model is intentionally lean, choosing to utilize a highly vetted roster of senior consultants to build customized, competent, skill- and region-specific teams for projects. We are selective about the projects and clients we support, choosing to focus on advancing commercially viable projects and investments to narrow the gap in access and utilization of financial services for vulnerable populations. Athena is the implementing partner for BIDUK, a DFAT-funded lending platform aimed at meeting the needs of Jakarta (Indonesia)-based small and growing businesses (SGBs), with an emphasis on those owned by women ((W)SGB). Launched in March of 2019, BIDUK is a proof of concept to show that flexible, commercially priced debt products are incredibly well suited to meet the needs of (W)SGBs in Indonesia (and throughout Southeast Asia). The entire BIDUK concept is built around a gender lens and a blended finance model. You can read more here: https://ixc.dfat.gov.au/projects/frontier-brokers/.