Acumen has made a strategic investment in Mountain Harvest, a Ugandan speciality coffee company that partners with smallholder farmers to deliver higher incomes and promote climate-resilient regenerative agriculture.
The investment will support the construction of a temperature-controlled warehouse, dry mill and colour sorter, and land acquisition to expand processing capacity and strengthen the company’s supply chain.
Mountain Harvest works directly with more than 1,000 smallholder farmers, primarily in Uganda’s mountainous regions (Mount Elgon, Rwenzori and Kigezi), sourcing organic Arabica coffee and connecting it to premium international markets.
The company pays farmers 13% to 37% above prevailing market rates and provides bundled support, including agronomic training, inputs and microfinance. Its model emphasises full traceability, gender inclusion and youth engagement.
Investment Details and Strategic Objectives
The funding will enable Mountain Harvest to:
- Expand its farmer base from over 1,000 to 2,600 by 2028.
- Complete new processing facilities, including a temperature-controlled warehouse, dry mill, and colour sorter.
- Strengthen supply chain resilience and traceability.
- Reach sustainable EBITDA profitability by 2029.
The investment is supported by the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE) and the Autodesk Foundation as part of Acumen’s Trellis initiative, which focuses on building inclusive agricultural value chains that deliver both commercial returns and measurable social and environmental impact.
Kenneth Barigye, Managing Director of Mountain Harvest, said:
“Acumen’s investment in Mountain Harvest reflects a deep alignment around mission and values. We share a belief that what tastes best in your cup can and should provide a living income for farmers and that patient capital, paired with strong local leadership, can build inclusive and resilient markets that work for everyone.”
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Millycent Aoko, Investment Manager at Acumen East Africa, added:
“Acumen’s investment in Mountain Harvest is catalytic. It enables the company to deepen its impact with farmers, strengthen its financial sustainability, and set new standards for gender and youth inclusion in Uganda’s coffee sector.”
Impact on Smallholder Farmers and Regenerative Practices
Mountain Harvest’s model goes beyond purchasing coffee. The company provides comprehensive support to smallholder farmers, including:
- Agronomic training on regenerative and climate-resilient farming techniques.
- Access to quality inputs and microfinance.
- Premium pricing that delivers 13% to 37% above market rates.
- Emphasis on gender inclusion and youth engagement in the value chain.
By scaling these practices, the investment is expected to improve farmer incomes, enhance soil health, increase climate resilience, and promote sustainable land management in Uganda’s key coffee-growing regions.
Looking Ahead
This transaction reinforces Acumen’s focus on building inclusive agricultural value chains across East Africa. By combining patient capital with strong local leadership, Acumen aims to create commercially viable businesses that deliver measurable social and environmental impact.
The partnership with Mountain Harvest demonstrates how targeted investment in speciality coffee can simultaneously drive economic opportunity for smallholders and advance regenerative agriculture practices.
Acumen Overview
Acumen (often called Acumen Fund) is a global impact investor supporting companies tackling poverty in sectors like energy, agriculture, and financial inclusion.
Acumen Kenya refers to its regional presence investing in East African startups and social enterprises. The Acumen company portfolio includes businesses across emerging markets.
Acumen Private Equity and Acumen VC describe their venture-style and patient capital investments, where Acumen provides long-term equity funding and operational support to early- and growth-stage impact companies.
