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Legatum Limited is a private investment firm, headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Legatum was founded in 2006 by Christopher Chandler. Legatum owns the British broadcaster GB News.
In 2015, Legatum transitioned to a partnership, consisting of Christopher Chandler, Mark Stoleson, Philip Vassiliou and Alan McCormick, providing a structure for the firm to continue operating beyond its founders.
Legatum was one of the first foreign commercial investors to provide critical equity capital to for-profit microfinance organizations in India, investing $25 million for a majority stake in SHARE Microfinance, India's leading microfinance institution.
In 2006, the company co-founded an early charity crowdfunding platform, Razoo Global Corporation. The platform announced a management buy-out of Legatum's holding in 2017. In 2007, Legatum purchased a significant minority stake in consultant firm Intellecap, which it subsequently sold back to its owner, the Aavishkaar Group, in 2017.
In 2008, Legatum and Omidyar Network, a philanthropic investment firm founded by Pierre Omidyar, collaborated to co-invest a total of $40 million into Unitus Equity Fund II (now known as Elevar Equity). The fund is a commercial venture providing capital to businesses targeted at serving the poor in the developing world.
In 2021, Legatum invested in GB News, a new UK TV channel.
Also in 2021, Legatum invested in Mobile Premier League, an esports and gaming platform.
Legatum is funder of the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship, a conservative conference affiliated with Jordan Peterson that brings together representatives from fossil fuel companies and right-wing figures.
Legatum founded the END Fund in 2012 to co-ordinate and support programmes to treat neglected tropical diseases. Legatum first started funding NTD work in 2006, after Legatum partner Alan McCormick visited Professor Alan Fenwick (Professor of Tropical Parasitology) at Imperial College London, who in turn had founded the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative in 2002. It has since led to Legatum investing over $10m in efforts to eliminate NTDs.
In 2013, in partnership with Humanity United and Walk Free, Legatum established a $100 million fund called the Freedom Fund. The aim of the fund is to help eradicate Modern slavery. Prior to the founding of the Fund, Legatum sponsored a 2012 information-gathering trip for non-profit organizations in Nepal and India to learn more about the human trafficking and slave-trade industries there. (see also Human trafficking in Nepal, Human trafficking in India)
Throughout 2017, the Center had distributed over $7 million to 213 fellows and launched enterprises across 40 countries. The Legatum fellows have pursued businesses that tackle social issues such as improving sanitation by converting waste products into fertiliser in Kenya, establishing plastic recycling businesses in Nigeria, and improving the clothing industry's conditions in Tanzania.
Legatum established the annual Africa Awards for Entrepreneurship program, which recognises and rewards business leaders who serve as role models to Africa's aspiring entrepreneurs. The scheme has been in operation since 2007 and is now run by the African Leadership Network, with Legatum still involved as a lead sponsor.
In 2008, Legatum partnered with Fortune magazine to announce the Legatum Fortune Technology Prize, a $1 million award intended to reward for-profit businesses who provide products and services to the needy through the use of technology.
In 2013, Legatum launched the Centre for Entrepreneurs (CFE) in partnership with Luke Johnson to promote and support entrepreneurs in United Kingdom.
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