IGNIA Fund I Invests US$3 Million in Pro-Organico, A Leading Mexican Organic Produce Grower and Exporter

Pro-Organico links Mexican farmers to the rapidly-growing North American organic produce market by managing agricultural operations and coordinating logistics with distributors and retailers acrossthe United States,Canada andMexico. "By transforming small-scale farmers into organic producers and incorporating them into the global supply chain, Pro-Organico helps growers realize a significant increase in revenue per acre relative to conventional farming," said Alvaro Rodriguez Arregui, co-founder and Managing Partner of IGNIA. "Growth will also make it a platform for substantial job creation."

Pro-Organico was founded in 2003 by Chief Executive Officer Luis Elizondo. After serving more than 20 years as a Sales & Marketing executive, he identified an opportunity to transform the local rural economy and participate in a burgeoning market. Pro-Organico does business under the Nature's Way and Better World brands inthe United States andCanada, and under the Dorita's Organic Farms brand inMexico. In addition to serving export markets, Pro-Organico has been instrumental in expanding the organic produce consumption market inMexico and is viewed as the country's leading retail supplier. In recognition of the Company's strict adherence to USDA organic standards, Pro-Organico was selected as the 2008 Grower of the Year by Oregon Tilth, a global leader in organic certification. Mr. Elizondo was named one of the Top 10 Entrepreneurs inMexico in 2008 by Expansion, the leading Mexican business magazine.

"IGNIA shares my vision of changing the economic paradigm in ruralMexico by identifying creative ways to develop the country's comparative advantages," said Mr. Elizondo. "IGNIA's investment will allow Pro-Organico to rapidly increase scale, thereby improving the lives of thousands of small growers and laborers while fulfilling unmet demand for organic produce. The North American market has grown dramatically as consumers have learned about the benefits of consuming organic foods and Pro-Organico is uniquely positioned to provide year-round supply due to diverse microclimates inMexico. Additionally, Pro-Organico's proximity toSouthwest Texas offers North American distributors and retailers high-quality produce from a location that is hundreds of miles closer thanCalifornia growers."

Michael Chu, co-founder and Managing Director of IGNIA, added, "We are enthusiastic about the potential for Pro-Organico to generate high financial returns. This will enable Pro-Organico to fulfill its growth potential and achieve the scale required to have a significant impact."

IGNIA Fund I, LP is a social venture capital fund that invests in high growth businesses in Mexico and throughout Latin America. By providing effective responses to the enormously underserved needs of the low income population, IGNIA empowers entrepreneurship and generates social impact at the Base of the Pyramid while creating attractive financial returns for its investors. IGNIA invests approximately US$2 - $10 million per company over the life of an investment.

Website: www.ignia.com.mx

Pro-Organico S.A.P.I. de C.V. is a leading grower and exporter of organic produce based inMonterrey, Mexico.

Website: www.pro-organico.com

SOURCE IGNIA Fund I, LP

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