Digital News Ventures

In 2012, the Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) launched Digital News Ventures to make equity investments in early-stage news and information businesses. Digital News seeks to invest in entrepreneurs who are creating tools and services for news businesses to be viable in the digital age. It's parent company, MDIF, provides affordable debt, equity and quasi-equity financing for projects that advance a news organization's economic potential from its PRI (Program Related Investment) Fund as well as through Digital News. To date, MDIF has provided more than $128 million in affordable financing, while writing off less than 3% of the total invested. Although there is no absolute maximum or minimum investment, the average loan is about $650,000, with interest rates averaging approximately 7.5%. Digital News Ventures is a global, mission-oriented fund.