ESG - ��B�о�Ժ

Responsible Ownership

At ��B�о�Ժ, we believe that responsible investment practices and consideration of business relevant ESG factors can enhance long-term value creation for our partners and portfolio companies.

��B�о�Ժ portfolio companies seek to innovate and create value*, particularly in these areas:

*There can be no assurance that ��B�о�Ժ’s ESG policies and procedures as described herein will continue, and ��B�о�Ժ’s ESG policies and procedures could change, even materially. Additionally, ESG factors are only some of the many factors ��B�о�Ժ considers with respect to investments, and there is no guarantee that ��B�о�Ժ’s implementation of its ESG program, which depends in part on qualitative judgments, will enhance long-term value and financial returns for investors. To the extent ��B�о�Ժ engages with portfolio companies on ESG-related practices and potential enhancements thereto, there is no guarantee that such engagements will improve the performance of the investment. Additionally, there can be no assurance that ��B�о�Ժ or its investments will be able to achieve any ESG-related objectives.

��B�о�Ժ is a proud signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and we are committed to the UNPRI Principles of Responsible Investment.

Principle 1

We will incorporate ESG issues into investment analysis and decision-making processes.

Principle 2

We will be active owners and incorporate ESG issues into our ownership policies and practices.

Principle 3

We will seek appropriate disclosure on ESG issues by the entities in which we invest.

Principle 4

We will promote acceptance and implementation of the Principles within the investment industry.

Principle 5

We will work together to enhance our effectiveness in implementing the Principles.

Principle 6

We will each report on our activities and progress towards implementing the Principles.

Our Commitment to ESG

��B�о�Ժ is committed to environmental sustainability, social responsibility and effective corporate governance (ESG). Our portfolio companies seek to innovate and create value, particularly in the areas of healthcare equity, environmental sustainability, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

��B�о�Ժ Companies ESG Highlights

Our portfolio companies seek to innovate and create value, particularly in the areas of healthcare equity, environmental sustainability, and diversity, equity and inclusion. We are pleased to share here the important work a few of our companies are doing today.

Circon Environmental: Recover, Repurpose, Recycle, Results

CIRCON Environmental, a former ��B�о�Ժ company sold in 2023, is an industry leader in innovative waste management solutions, turning waste into newly valuable, marketable products and seeking to improve clients’ bottom lines and sustainability efforts. Built on the concept of the Circular Economy – Recover, Recycle, Repurpose, Results – CIRCON turns overlooked materials into new alternative fuels and power, not just to manage waste, but to eliminate waste altogether for clients and the industry. CIRCON’s proprietary suite of sustainable solutions have resulted in significant positive environmental impact, including: 152 million gallons of water recycled, 115,000 tons of landfill avoidance, and 24 million gallons of oil recycled (2021).

ZP Better Together: Bringing Connection to Underserved Communities

ZP Better Together, LLC, (ZP) is a leading provider of communications solutions for the deaf and hard of hearing community. Central to ZP’s technology solutions, including Video Relay Service and interpretation services, is its commitment to the belief that every conversation matters and that everyone should have full and equal access to communications as a fundamental human right. ZP has been recognized for four consecutive years as a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion (2020-2023) and its CEO is a signatory to CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion, the largest CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. ZP’s advocacy work includes a nationwide campaign and petition – Stand With the Deaf Community – calling for the federal government to invest in the deaf community and deliver on the equal communications access promised decades ago by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Avita Care Solutions: Health Equity in a Changing World

Avita Care Solutions is committed to promoting health equity by providing comprehensive, compassionate, and inclusive health care and pharmacy services to underserved communities. Avita’s community care management strategy enables patients and covered entities to remove barriers across the care continuum by providing pharmacy services, clinical care delivery, digital health, and 340B program administration to 180,000 patients annually through over 400 pharmacy services agreements with covered entity partners at 60+ locations nationwide (as of July 2023). Avita is a proud member of the U.S. Business Action to End HIV and has been recognized multiple times by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation as a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ+ Equality.

Meet ��B�о�Ժ Portfolio Companies Making a Difference

Circon Environmental

Circon CEO Frank Iezzi shares what separates CIRCON from its competitors and how it recaptures the value of waste and turns it into fuel.

ZP Better Together

In a powerful film, ZP CEO Sherri Turpin joins Deaf leaders calling for hearing allies, policy leaders and the Federal Communications Commission to stand boldly with the deaf and hard of hearing community to deliver communication equity.

Avita Care Solutions

Learn how Avita is advancing health equity and positively impacting communities through its partnership with Birmingham AIDS Outreach to expand compassionate care to Birmingham’s LGBTQ+ community.

Case studies presented herein are for illustrative purposes only and have been selected to provide examples of ��B�о�Ժ’s application of its ESG program and ESG practices at certain of ��B�о�Ժ’s portfolio companies. Descriptions of any ESG achievements or improved practices or outcomes are not necessarily intended to indicate that ��B�о�Ժ has substantially contributed to such achievements, practices, or outcomes. For instance, ��B�о�Ժ’s ESG efforts may have been one of many factors—including such other factors as engagement by portfolio company management, advisors, and other third parties—contributing to the success described in each of the selected case studies. References to these particular portfolio companies should not be considered a recommendation of any particular security, investment, or portfolio company or be used as an indication of the current or future performance of ��B�о�Ժ’s investments.

In Their Own Words

“The circular economy is a concept in which businesses find new uses for old materials. When an operation is no longer utilizing a resource, or has seemingly exhausted the value of a product, those materials aren't disposed of, they're repurposed, finding their own second act as a resource and creating new value within a business and industry. The circular economy is key to smart business growth, and it's a proven way to reduce waste and even displace valuable environmental resources like coal.”

“I have said it a million times. The deaf community has been waiting 33 years since the ADA promised functional equivalence. They should not have to wait another single day to enjoy the same communications access that hearing people take for granted each and every day.”

“There has never been a more critical time for our nation to address the staggering health inequities faced by underserved populations. A multiyear pandemic, partisan-based politics that limit health care rights, and long-standing stigmas, fear, and discrimination against marginalized populations have exacerbated existing obstacles to health care—and created a wealth of new ones.”

“It's going to be more critical than ever that we practice whole-person health and address peoples' mental, emotional, and spiritual needs instead of only focusing on their physical needs. Because if we forget the former, we'll have a more challenging time engaging people for the latter.”

“Sustainability and the circular economy are the core of CIRCON, but every one of our wins relies on the dedication of our customers, who demonstrate every day their commitment to achieving a more sustainable future for our industry and planet.”

*The statements about ESG made by portfolio company executives are intended to illustrate certain ESG-related opinions of those individuals rather than ��B�о�Ժ’s capabilities or expertise with respect to investment advisory services.

A Closer Look

A leader in sustainable, innovative waste management solutions, from water and oil to coal displacement
CIRCON Environmental has been recognized by the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers in their Annual Report and Sustainability Report (2023)