Policy templates for Integra Partners

We developed policy templates for Integra Partners to help early-stage tech companies formalise business practices and principles

Integra Partners is an early-stage investor supporting companies that leverage technology and financial services to drive solutions to today’s most pressing issues. Integra recognises that startups face challenges in formalising procedures and principles through policies, although those policies can help in establishing operational efficiency, meeting investor expectations, and communicating their principles externally. To overcome this hurdle, Integra asked Steward Redqueen to create policy templates for early-stage technology companies.

Together with Integra Partners, we assessed which policy templates would be most applicable to its investment universe and frequently required by its portfolio companies. Based on this assessment, we developed policy templates for four priority areas: Human Resources, Sustainability, Client Protection, and Anti-Bribery. Each policy template is informed by industry best practices to ensure coverage of essential topics. For example, we referred to IFC Performance Standards to locate the environmental and social topics companies should consider in their Human Resources and Sustainability policies. We listed relevant standards for each policy area and introduced what they include so companies can further align to what is most useful for them.

The policy templates are also structured to allow companies to clearly articulate their organisational values, policy scope, key impact areas & procedures, alignment standards and roles & responsibilities. Furthermore, we included adaptable language that companies can adjust based on the unique requirements and operational realities (e.g. number of employees, ambition level, industry etc.). For example, in the Client Protection policy template, FinTech companies can find suggested policy language that ensures customers are sufficiently educated on complex financial products and services.

The templates serve as  starting point for start-ups to develop comprehensive and best practice driven policies. To contribute to the start-up ecosystem, Integra has published these adaptable policy templates on their website, in the hope that they are useful to a wider audience. You may access the policy templates here.