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Individual investors: Individuals or institutions that have small amounts of investable assets, often as small as $100. This group of investors is strongly protected by regulatory forces and investment managers serving it must comply with strict disclosure requirements.

Institutional investors: Institutions or individuals (specifically high net worth) which have large amounts of investable assets, typically in excess of millions of dollars. This group of investors is viewed as more sophisticated by investment managers and regulatory forces, and is able to participate in deals that generally are not available to the public. As these investors are considered more knowledgeable, security regulations do not restrict their participation in investments such as private placement or venture capital deals.

Guarantee funds: Funds created to enhance the access of microfinance institutions to local credit markets by leveraging either donated or investment capital as partial or full guarantees to banks against non-payment of loaned funds.

Investment funds: A professionally managed collection of shares or other assets that investors can buy into by purchasing units that represent a proportion of the fund. The funds can be structured in a variety of ways and can include debt, equity, or a combination of both types of securities.

Microfinance networks: Organizations that work with a network of microfinance institutions which often provide technical support and capacity building. Many of these networks have created investment funds to help channel capital needed by their microfinance institution partners. Most networks have created funds that offer investors both a financial and social return.

Non-network funds: Funds that have been created by investment managers to channel capital into the microfinance sector. Some of these funds have a purely commercial focus while others seek to provide both a financial and social return.