Accion

Accion is a global nonprofit organization founded in 1961 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It focuses on increasing access to financial tools and services for underserved individuals and small businesses to promote financial inclusion. Accion catalyzes financial service providers to deliver affordable, high-quality solutions at scale, thereby helping communities thrive. The organization supports innovative fintech startups through its investment initiative, Venture Lab, which invests in early-stage companies that enhance financial access and improve service quality. Venture Lab provides both capital and strategic support, facilitating growth and operational efficiency for its portfolio companies. By engaging industry leaders and regulators, Accion challenges the financial sector to become more inclusive, ultimately working towards a world where everyone has the opportunity to improve their financial well-being.

Matthieu Albrieux

Investment Officer

Tahira Dosani

Managing Director, Accion Venture Lab

Shannon Dwyer

Investment and Portfolio Associate

John Fischer

Chief Investment Officer

Rachel Morpeth

Senior Associate, Global Investments

Livingston Parsons

Chief Financial Officer

Alex Qian

Investment Professional

Paul Rasmussen

Investment and Portfolio Associate

Michael Schlein

President and Chief Executive Officer

Radhika Shroff

Deputy Chief Investment Officer, Gateway Fund, Accion Global Investments

Coryell Stout

Investment Professional

Past deals in Banks

Fairbanc

Seed Round in 2022
Fairbanc is a scalable, AI-powered mobile loan and payments platform for emerging market small-medium enterprises (SMEs) that requires no collateral or credit history. The company's AI-powered platform can read digital footprints such as transaction history with large suppliers, and data on the mobile phone to grant instant digital credit line that SMEs can use to purchase inventories from our selected suppliers. Fairbanc's proven gender-intelligent ecosystem for loans and payments can be used in many vertical markets, eliminating the shortcomings of cash. Retail shop-owners can boost sales up to 20%, eliminate cash shortages, enjoy an easier payments regimen, and develop a credit history; suppliers receive more consistent order cycles, more instant payments upon delivery, and SKU sales expansion.

Khazna

Series A in 2022
Khazna is an Egyptian company focused on enhancing financial services through its mobile application. The platform offers a range of services, including payments, savings, and insurance, while also allowing employers to provide cash advances to employees for unforeseen emergencies. Users can easily transfer and receive funds between each other and make cash withdrawals and deposits without incurring transaction fees. By leveraging smartphone technology, Khazna aims to deliver convenient, effective, and secure financial solutions to consumers in Egypt.

Annapurna Finance

Private Equity Round in 2021
Annapurna Finance Private Limited is a non-banking financial company based in Bhubaneswar, India, that specializes in providing microfinance services primarily to women and low-income households in rural and semi-urban areas. The company focuses on income generation loans for self-help groups and joint liability groups, offering financing for agricultural activities, micro enterprises, and various business needs. Additionally, it provides housing finance for home construction and renovation, as well as loans tailored for individuals with disabilities and the financially excluded. Annapurna Finance also supports initiatives for safe water and sanitation, dairy development, and solar energy, while offering credit-linked insurance to its clients. Originally founded as Annapurna Microfinance in 2009, the company changed its name in 2018 to reflect its broader mission of facilitating economic empowerment and integrating underserved populations into the formal financial system.

Dinie

Seed Round in 2021
Dinie provides flexible, convenient and easy-to-use financing solutions for small businesses. Through our end-to-end lending API, we enable digital platforms (marketplaces, Saas, ERPs) to offer instant credit to their customers to help them grow their businesses. As more companies incorporate financial services into their existing product offerings, we look forward to enabling the huge market opportunity of next generation embedded banking services. Dinie was founded by two serial entrepreneurs, Suzy Ferreira and Andrea Burattini (at age 27 sold her first Fintech to Accenture in 2013). Dinie has also Kris Lembke as Co-Founder & CTO (+10y in tech & payments) and Vinicius Cibim as Co-Founder & CFO (+10y in finance & fintech). Dinie counts on highly experienced angel investors like Rita Liu (Ex. CEO Alipay Europe), Sergio Fogel (Co-Founder of dLocal), Benjamin Gleason & Thiago Alvarez (Founders of GuiaBolso), Markus Rinderer (Founder of PAY.ON), Alexander Muller (Founder of Kreditech) and Matthias Setzer (Global Payments Director at Facebook, and previously at Paypal & Naspers).

Lidya

Series B in 2021
Lidya is a financial services platform based in Lagos, Nigeria, founded in 2016. The company focuses on improving access to credit and financial resources for small and medium enterprises in emerging markets. Lidya enables businesses to open online accounts quickly, manage their funds, and access necessary credit to facilitate growth. Utilizing mobile-first technology and proprietary credit scoring algorithms, the platform offers tools and dashboards that help businesses monitor their cash flow and receivables. This approach allows users to build their credit profiles, which can lead to higher credit limits and more affordable financing options. Lidya aims to empower businesses with the financial tools they need to succeed and plan for the future.

Fairbanc

Seed Round in 2021
Fairbanc is a scalable, AI-powered mobile loan and payments platform for emerging market small-medium enterprises (SMEs) that requires no collateral or credit history. The company's AI-powered platform can read digital footprints such as transaction history with large suppliers, and data on the mobile phone to grant instant digital credit line that SMEs can use to purchase inventories from our selected suppliers. Fairbanc's proven gender-intelligent ecosystem for loans and payments can be used in many vertical markets, eliminating the shortcomings of cash. Retail shop-owners can boost sales up to 20%, eliminate cash shortages, enjoy an easier payments regimen, and develop a credit history; suppliers receive more consistent order cycles, more instant payments upon delivery, and SKU sales expansion.

NOW Money

Venture Round in 2021
NOW Money uses mobile banking technology to bring accounts and remittance to the unbanked population of the Middle East. It provides a convenient and easy to use solution for those currently excluded from the financial system, bringing full access to the financial system, and significant savings on remittance.

Khazna

Seed Round in 2020
Khazna is an Egyptian company focused on enhancing financial services through its mobile application. The platform offers a range of services, including payments, savings, and insurance, while also allowing employers to provide cash advances to employees for unforeseen emergencies. Users can easily transfer and receive funds between each other and make cash withdrawals and deposits without incurring transaction fees. By leveraging smartphone technology, Khazna aims to deliver convenient, effective, and secure financial solutions to consumers in Egypt.

Joust

Seed Round in 2019
Joust, Inc., based in Austin, Texas, offers a comprehensive suite of banking and payment solutions tailored for freelancers and entrepreneurs. Founded in 2017, Joust provides services through its proprietary PayArmour tool, which safeguards invoice payments and helps resolve late or non-payment issues experienced by independent workers. The company operates as a subsidiary of ZenBusiness, Inc. and utilizes a chartered, FDIC-insured community bank to deliver merchant services and business banking. In addition to payment protection, Joust's offerings include business incorporation, invoicing, real-time payment processing, invoice insurance, and account analytics. Through its innovative technology and banking partnerships, Joust addresses the financial challenges faced by self-employed individuals.

BASIX Sub-K iTransactions

Series B in 2018
BASIX Sub-K iTransactions Limited provides a mobile technology based transactional platform for access to digitized services to residents of rural, urban, and semi-urban areas. It offers banking services, savings, NREGA and other government payments, money transfers, utility payments, and prepaid mobile top-ups through a network of basic convenience outlets. The company was incorporated in 2010 and is based in Hyderabad, India. BASIX Sub-K iTransactions Limited operates as a subsidiary of Bhartiya Samruddhi Investments and Consulting Services, Ltd.

Self Financial

Series B in 2018
Self Financial is a venture-backed fintech startup that helps customers build credit and save money. It provides tools necessary for building on-time payment history and responsible use of credit, in collaboration with issuing banks.s services are for those who are new to credit or who might not have access to traditional financial products. It offers Self Credit Builder Account to help consumers build both credit and savings without relying on credit history and Self Visa Credit Card, a card that helps existing customers build their security deposit in instalments. Self Financial is formerly known as Self Lender. The startup was founded by Conor Swanson and James Garvey in 2015 and is based in Austin, Texas.

Lend Street Financial

Series A in 2018
Lend Street Financial, Inc. specializes in consumer lending solutions aimed at individuals facing financial difficulties. The company assists clients in refinancing existing debt and offers negotiation services with creditors to secure discounts on their debts. This enables customers to reduce their overall financial burden while working towards rebuilding their credit. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Oakland, California, Lend Street serves various states, including Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas, among others. By establishing partnerships within the financial sector, the company is able to provide valuable support to those seeking to regain control of their financial lives.

Lidya

Series A in 2018
Lidya is a financial services platform based in Lagos, Nigeria, founded in 2016. The company focuses on improving access to credit and financial resources for small and medium enterprises in emerging markets. Lidya enables businesses to open online accounts quickly, manage their funds, and access necessary credit to facilitate growth. Utilizing mobile-first technology and proprietary credit scoring algorithms, the platform offers tools and dashboards that help businesses monitor their cash flow and receivables. This approach allows users to build their credit profiles, which can lead to higher credit limits and more affordable financing options. Lidya aims to empower businesses with the financial tools they need to succeed and plan for the future.

BASIX Sub-K iTransactions

Venture Round in 2018
BASIX Sub-K iTransactions Limited provides a mobile technology based transactional platform for access to digitized services to residents of rural, urban, and semi-urban areas. It offers banking services, savings, NREGA and other government payments, money transfers, utility payments, and prepaid mobile top-ups through a network of basic convenience outlets. The company was incorporated in 2010 and is based in Hyderabad, India. BASIX Sub-K iTransactions Limited operates as a subsidiary of Bhartiya Samruddhi Investments and Consulting Services, Ltd.

Self Financial

Series A in 2017
Self Financial is a venture-backed fintech startup that helps customers build credit and save money. It provides tools necessary for building on-time payment history and responsible use of credit, in collaboration with issuing banks.s services are for those who are new to credit or who might not have access to traditional financial products. It offers Self Credit Builder Account to help consumers build both credit and savings without relying on credit history and Self Visa Credit Card, a card that helps existing customers build their security deposit in instalments. Self Financial is formerly known as Self Lender. The startup was founded by Conor Swanson and James Garvey in 2015 and is based in Austin, Texas.

NOW Money

Convertible Note in 2017
NOW Money uses mobile banking technology to bring accounts and remittance to the unbanked population of the Middle East. It provides a convenient and easy to use solution for those currently excluded from the financial system, bringing full access to the financial system, and significant savings on remittance.

Lidya

Seed Round in 2017
Lidya is a financial services platform based in Lagos, Nigeria, founded in 2016. The company focuses on improving access to credit and financial resources for small and medium enterprises in emerging markets. Lidya enables businesses to open online accounts quickly, manage their funds, and access necessary credit to facilitate growth. Utilizing mobile-first technology and proprietary credit scoring algorithms, the platform offers tools and dashboards that help businesses monitor their cash flow and receivables. This approach allows users to build their credit profiles, which can lead to higher credit limits and more affordable financing options. Lidya aims to empower businesses with the financial tools they need to succeed and plan for the future.

Dvara KGFS

Venture Round in 2015
Dvara KGFS focuses on establishing and supporting local community financial services institutions known as Kshetriya Gramin Financial Services (KGFS). These institutions are designed to enhance financial inclusion in geographically targeted areas, particularly in remote rural markets. Dvara KGFS operates under the umbrella of IFMR Holdings, which also includes IFMR Capital, a platform that facilitates debt capital markets for various originators, providing micro-loans, small business finance, and other financial services. Through its innovative KGFS model, Dvara KGFS aims to address the unique financial needs of underserved communities, promoting economic development and accessibility to essential financial services.

Lend Street Financial

Seed Round in 2015
Lend Street Financial, Inc. specializes in consumer lending solutions aimed at individuals facing financial difficulties. The company assists clients in refinancing existing debt and offers negotiation services with creditors to secure discounts on their debts. This enables customers to reduce their overall financial burden while working towards rebuilding their credit. Founded in 2010 and headquartered in Oakland, California, Lend Street serves various states, including Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas, among others. By establishing partnerships within the financial sector, the company is able to provide valuable support to those seeking to regain control of their financial lives.

Billpocket

Seed Round in 2015
Billpocket is a financial technology company that transforms smartphones and tablets into point-of-sale terminals, facilitating card payments without the need for traditional banking infrastructures. Users can accept debit and credit card payments directly through their mobile devices, simplifying the payment process and eliminating high maintenance fees and complex setups associated with conventional systems. Billpocket's platform also offers the option for customers to convert payments into interest-free monthly installments, while the company charges a fixed commission to sellers. This innovative approach enables a seamless transaction experience for both businesses and consumers.

Umati Capital

Seed Round in 2014
Umati Capital (Kenya) Limited is a non-bank financial institution established in 2012 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. The company specializes in providing innovative financial solutions, particularly credit and payment technologies, to sectors such as agri-business supply chains, retailer value chains, and fast-moving consumer goods manufacturers. It aims to enhance access to finance for small-scale suppliers, trading companies, and industrial processors through its proprietary technology and branchless financial services. Additionally, Umati Capital offers a lending platform that includes invoice discounting and other working capital solutions tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises in East Africa, enabling them to secure necessary funding for growth.

Saija Finance

Series B in 2012
Saija Finance Private Limited is a non-banking finance company based in Patna, India, specializing in microfinance services for underserved populations in Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab. Established in 1997, the company focuses on providing financial assistance to self-employed individuals, particularly women, to meet working capital needs, purchase fixed assets, and support income-generating activities within households. Saija Finance also offers loans for eco-friendly products such as non-grid solar and solar lighting systems. As the only microfinance institution based in Bihar, Saija Finance serves approximately 26,037 clients across five districts, operating through seven branches. Its mission is to improve financial inclusion in some of the poorest regions of Northern and Eastern India, addressing the significant gaps left by traditional financial institutions.