Claude Baras

Obviam DFI AG (Obviam) is the private equity subsidiary of Obviam Holding AG in Switzerland. Established in 2005 by Claude Barras as the Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets (SIFEM) to oversee The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) portfolio of private equity fund participations and direct financial institution investments in developing and transition economies, Obviam was spun-out of SIFEM in 2010. The firm is based in Bern and is the exclusively manages SIFEM and its portfolio, investing on behalf of public, institutional and private investors. Their name, which means 'in the direction of, towards“, in Latin, symbolizes their belief that capital should be used for the overall advancement and betterment of society by nourishing and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in developing countries. Obviam is committed to responsible investment, specifically integrating Environmental, Social and Governance matters in investment decision-making and ownership practices.