We are proud to be part of the growing Deetken Impact team, and are excited to introduce this diverse and talented group of investment professionals. Each month, we will feature one of our colleagues so you can get to know them better!
Meet Mauricio Rincon, recently promoted to Senior Investment Officer with Deetken Impact Sustainable Energy, he identifies new investment opportunities and leads due diligence for companies and projects in the renewable energy sector. He cultivates deep relationships with project sponsors, conducts site visits, and prepares investment materials. Prior to joining Deetken Impact, Mauricio had built an impressive resume of experience in the industry as a Project Finance Manager for Solarcentury, a company focused on the development, construction, financing and operation of large scale photovoltaic (PV) projects, Saavi Energía (formerly Intergen), where he oversaw the financial performance of a portfolio of 680 MW, and Bloomberg LP, focusing on providing assistance to clients from the energy industry.
Mauricio holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from the Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico, and an MBA from the EGADE Business School in Mexico, with a double degree in Banking and Investments from the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona. Currently based in Deetken Impact’s Mexico City office, Mauricio is originally from La Piedad, Michoacán, and speaks Spanish, English and Portuguese.
With numerous degrees and professional development credentials, your passion for learning and growth is clear. What drives your pursuit of education?
In a sector that is constantly evolving and diversifying, it is important to stay up to date with the latest trends. Academics aside, I have made great friends from each of the courses I’ve enrolled in. It’s a wonderful opportunity to meet people who share similar interests. One of the courses that I enjoyed the most was an online Certification in Climate and Renewable Energy Finance by the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. It provided a very holistic view at how finance can contribute to fund the fight against climate change.
What drew you to focus on renewable energy within the investment industry, and what brought you to Deetken Impact specifically?
I started my career in the energy industry with a focus on the oil and gas sectors. In time, I came to realize that I wanted to generate a more positive impact with my work and contribute to the transition towards a more sustainable energy matrix. Switching to a clean energy specialty led me to work for a developer of utility-scale photovoltaic projects, where I learned about the tremendous effort and time investment that is necessary before projects are ready to be financed. Working for Deetken Impact represented an opportunity to get to know other energy markets in Central America & the Caribbean, which has been a very enriching experience.
What is on DISE’s horizon that you are most excited about?
The launch of DISE III, the third fund of Deetken´s sustainable energy vertical, is very exciting as it will not only be a larger fund, but it will also have the flexibility to invest in projects in earlier stages, taking more development risk but with great potential for impact. Also, it is expected to encompass a broader variety of technologies in a wider geographical region, which will include Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, to mention a few, in addition the Central American and Caribbean markets that we are currently operating in with our two existing renewable energy funds.
What is your favorite part of the work you do, and why?
Looking into new potential investment opportunities is always exciting. In particular, I find understanding and building the investment story to be quite interesting. I also really enjoy site visits and having the opportunity to see the projects in person; meet the sponsors, and learn about their stories, which are often so different to our own. It provides confirmation that the work we do behind the desk does have real life impacts. Take one of our investments in the Dominican Republic, for example, KW Financial (KWF), which helped finance five different projects across the country, with a sixth on the horizon. We have visited all of the projects from Punta Cana to Barahona and from San Francisco de Macoris to Baní, and it is very rewarding to see how clients from different industries are taking advantage of solar energy to reduce costs while fighting climate change.
Mauricio, with his wife Stephanie, and dog Trufa exploring Parque Nacional El Chico & Rancho Santa Elena in Mexico.
What is one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?
I really like dinosaurs. Even though I do not collect them anymore, I still get really excited when a new movie (from the Jurassic Park saga, for example) is out. When I was a kid, my dream was to become a paleontologist (like 99% of kids), but even as a grown-up, I still dream about finding fossils whenever I´m outdoors.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I enjoy hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities, as well as listening to music, spending time with friends and family, reading, and watching movies.
What is your favourite city/country you have visited, and which is at the top of your bucket list to visit?
Probably one of the best trips I’ve done was an RV road trip with my wife to several US National Parks. We visited the Grand Canyon, Canyonlands, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Zion and other smaller sites. These are probably some of the most scenic views I´ve seen in my life.
At the top of my bucket list are the Norwegian Fjords and Japan.
You can learn more about Mauricio by following him on LinkedIn!
Mauricio Rincon was a valued part of the Deetken Impact team from August 2021 to January 2024, serving as a Senior Investment Officer and bringing incredible dedication to our mission. We’re grateful for their contributions and wish them all the best in their journey ahead. This post remains as a tribute to the positive impact they made during their time with us.
Get to know more about the Deetken Impact Team by checking out the other features in our Meet the Team series!
