The GLS fund has been invested in Ecuador since it was launched at the end of 2015. In December 2017, INSOTEC – the “Institution for Socio-economic and Technological Research” – was added. INSOTEC was mainly active in applied research in the 1970s and 80s; the focus was on support measures and training concepts for small and medium-sized companies. In the meantime, the non-profit organization has developed further. In addition to research and training, it also operates as a microfinance institution and manages a loan portfolio of around 50 million USD. Over 15,000 customers are served in 14 branches. At the same time, INSOTEC supports various poorer communities with free health care, for example by organizing and financing mobile medical teams.
