Catalyst Fund is an accelerator that supports inclusive tech innovators in emerging markets. We support impact companies offering accessible, affordable and appropriate solutions, designed for underserved individuals and micro and small enterprises, and accelerate the local ecosystems around them.
We support inclusive tech innovators across a number of sectors, including fintech and digital commerce, with a goal of improving the livelihoods and resilience of underserved customers and micro and small enterprises in emerging markets. Our flagship Inclusive Fintech program, supported by JPMorgan Chase & Co. and FCDO, originally launched in 2016 to fill the critical capital, support and talent gaps that limit innovation potential across emerging markets and foster the growth of inclusive solutions.
Today, finance is becoming an enabler, touching multiple industries where non-financial companies incorporate financial products to enhance their value offering, to retain consumers and to improve users’ lives. Building on lessons learned and core strengths, we are creating a family of programs with support from multiple partners where fintech can be a force for good. This will enable us to further our mission of improving the wellbeing of the world’s underserved individuals and small businesses.
Supporting early-stage fintech entrepreneurs in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Mexico and India
Scaling digital commerce companies in Ghana to improve the livelihoods and financial resilience of MSEs
Catalyst Fund operates under a proven model. Our portfolio companies have gone on to secure follow-on funding, amounting to over US$125 million in total, and currently serve more than 2.5 million individuals and MSMEs globally.
Catalyst Fund is managed by BFA Global. Our Inclusive Fintech program is supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and JPMorgan Chase & Co., and fiscally sponsored by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, and our Inclusive Digital Commerce program is supported by Mastercard Foundation.
Hear how fintech innovation is transforming financial health in Africa, from the customers served by Catalyst Fund portfolio companies Sokowatch, Turaco, Abalobi and Spoon Money.
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Originally published on NextBillion COVID-19 lockdowns have threatened small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and vulnerable families around the world. SMEs in...
