Finnfund

Finnfund is a Finnish development finance company that specializes in providing long-term risk capital for private projects in developing countries. It primarily invests in projects that may involve Finnish technology or partnerships, and focuses on generating significant environmental or social benefits. The company engages in direct investments across various stages, including early, mid, and late-stage funding, as well as mezzanine financing and investment loans. Finnfund targets medium-sized private ventures in numerous countries, particularly in regions like Africa and Asia, with a particular emphasis on countries that are part of Finland’s development cooperation. The firm typically invests between EUR 1 million and EUR 10 million and prefers to take minority stakes, often co-investing with other development finance institutions. Finnfund adheres to strict investment criteria and excludes sectors such as weapons production, gambling, and environmentally harmful practices, ensuring that its financing supports sustainable development initiatives. Established in 1980 and headquartered in Helsinki, Finnfund plays a crucial role in promoting economic growth in developing markets while aligning with Finnish interests.

Jussi Ahonen

Senior Investment Manager

Helena Arlander

Deputy CEO

Arnaud Defrance

Investment Manager

Jaakko Kangasniemi

Managing Director, CEO

Kuutti Kilpeläinen

Investment Manager

Mikko Kuuskoski

Associate Director

Noah Law

Investment Manager

Minnamari Marttila

Director of Administration

Jari Matero

Associate Director

Ari Nironen

Senior Investment Manager

Ilkka Norjamäki

Senior Investment Manager

Markus Pentikäinen

Investment Manager

Markus Pietikäinen

CIO

Johanna Raehalme

Investment Manager

Pasi Rajala

Director of Communications

Ulla-Maija Rantapuska

Investment Manager

Paula Saarinen

Senior Investment Manager

Niklas Simola

Investment Associate

Olli Sinnemaa

CFO

Tuomas Suurpää

Senior Investment Manager

Helena Teppana

Associate Director

Antti Urvas

Associate Director

57 past transactions

Nafoods Group

Post in 2020
A pioneer group in developing green and sustainable agricultural value chains.

Proximity Designs

Venture Round in 2020
Proximity Designs is a non-profit charitable organization, which designs and manufactures agricultural and farming equipment. The foundation offers sprinklers, solar irrigation pumps, foot-powered water pumps, plastic water pumps, and sprayers. It also provides agronomy advisory services, social services, agricultural financing services, and economic policy research services in Myanmar. Proximity Designs was formerly known as IDE Myanmar and changed its name to Proximity Designs in 2008. The foundation was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in South Pasadena, California. It has an additional office in Yangon, Myanmar.

Kashf Foundation

Debt Financing in 2021
Founded in 1996, Kashf Foundation has worked to pioneer microfinance services that empower and promote the economic self-reliance of poor women and their families in Pakistan. Kashf is now one of the premier microfinance institutions in the country, disbursing $202 million USD in loans to date and providing more than one million people with access to financial capital.

JTF Madagascar SARL

Private Placement in 2020
JTF Madagascar SARL engages in the production of maize, soya, and Geranium bourbon for essential oil. The company was founded in 2010 and is based in Antananarivo, Madagascar. JTF Madagascar SARL operates as a subsidiary of Tozzi Green S.p.A.

Jumo

Private Placement in 2018
We’re building next-generation financial services technologies to empower emerging market entrepreneurs. We use advanced data science and machine learning to create the fastest and leanest financial services infrastructure. Our partners use our technology stack to offer savings, lending and insurance products to entrepreneurs in emerging markets.These next-generation products give anyone with a cell phone and mobile wallet access to unprecedented financial choice, enabling millions of people to prosper, build their businesses and drive economic growth.

Yalelo

Venture Round in 2019
Yalelo is a pioneer of aquaculture in Zambia, bringing together local resources and world-leading practices. We implement a scalable solution to ease the pressure on Zambia’s struggling wild-capture fisheries sector. Founded in 2011, we have grown quickly to become the leading fisheries firm in Zambia and among the largest aquaculture firms in Africa. We breed and grow our tilapia on the shores of Lake Kariba and sell our product fresh nation-wide. Our pristine water, locally produced non-GMO fish feed and a robust cold-chain results in a product quality and affordability that is transforming the customer experience.

Twiga Foods

Series C in 2021
Twiga is a mobile-based supply platform for Africa’s retail outlets, kiosks, and market stalls. The company is using a mobile-based, cashless, business-to-business (B2B) supply platform to access distribution into the millions of small and medium-sized vendors in African urban markets. Founded in 2013, Twiga is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

TPL Insurance

Venture Round in 2022
TPL Insurance Limited provides general insurance products and services in Pakistan. It offers auto, home, micro and group health, travel, fire and allied perils, business interruption or consequential loss, terrorism, engineering, marine, and Takaful insurance products, as well miscellaneous insurance products that cover losses for cash in safe, cash in transit, fidelity guarantee, workmen compensation, plate glass, and neon signs. The company was formerly known as TPL Direct Insurance Limited and changed its name to TPL Insurance Limited in December 2017. The company was incorporated in 1992 and is headquartered in Karachi, Pakistan. TPL Insurance Limited is a subsidiary of TPL Corp Limited.

Wave Mobile Money

Debt Financing in 2022
Wave Mobile Money provides an app-based financial solution to save, transfer, and borrow money. Wave Mobile Money is on a mission to make Africa the first cashless continent. On a continent where less than 10% of the population has a bank account, Wave is building the first modern financial network — no account fees, instantly available, and accepted everywhere! It is building life-changing financial infrastructure. When mobile money succeeded in Kenya, it lifted about a million people out of poverty. And yet, over 10 years later, most Africans still lack access to affordable ways to save, transfer or borrow the money they need to build businesses or provide for their families. Wave is solving this problem by using technology to build a radically inclusive and extremely affordable financial network.

Africado (TZ) Ltd.

Private Placement in 2019
Africado (TZ) Ltd. produces and markets avocados. Africado (TZ) Ltd. is based in Tanzania.

Indifi Technologies

Series D in 2021
Indifi Technologies Pvt. Ltd. operates an online platform that connects lenders and borrowers to provide loans. The company offers different lifecycle support services for lenders, which include marketing and customer relationship management (CRM), data aggregation, data analysis, on-ground support, loan monitoring, and payment management. It serves clients in e-commerce, travel, hospitality, retail, and trading businesses. The company was incorporated in 2015 and is based in Gurugram, India.

Advans Group

Debt Financing in 2021
Advans Group is a venture capital investment arm of Horus Development Finance. The firm invests in the form of equity, loans, and guarantees. It invests in microfinance institutions. The firm focuses its investments in the Africa, Middle East and Asia region. It is typically the lead shareholder in its investments. The firm invests as a majority shareholder in microfinance institutions. Advans Group was founded in August 2005 and is based in Luxembourg, Luxembourg.

Starsight Energy

Debt Financing in 2019
Starsight Energy provides premier clean on-grid and off-grid energy services to commercial and industrial clients in Africa. We make clean energy a smart bottom-line decision for clients by eliminating all up-front costs. Clients pay an all-inclusive monthly fee for end-to-end service.

Kasha

Private Placement in 2020
Kasha distributes personal care and health products for women in Rwanda and Kenya. It offers bath and body products, such as body, facial, hair, and oral care products; and menstrual care products, including sanitary pads, tampons, menstrual cups, panty liners, and pain relievers. The company also provides sexual health products, such as contraceptives, condoms, lubricants, home testing products; pharmaceuticals, including pain relievers, supplements, over the counter, and medical care devices; and mom and baby care products. It also sells products online. Kasha was founded in 2016 and is based in Kigali, Rwanda.

Fuzu

Series A in 2020
Fuzu is a mobile-first career development platform for users in emerging economies, from Africa and Middle East to Asia and Latin America. Fuzu takes a fresh approach to job-seeking, recruitment and learning - with focus on testing and developing one’s skills and competencies. Fuzu keeps the users engaged by continuously offering high quality content and news and by maximizing the power of social networks in career management.

Africa Education Holding Ltd.

Private Placement in 2019
Africa Education Holding Ltd. owns and operates universities that provide programs in labor market relevant studies, such as medicine, business, IT, law, and social sciences. The company is based in Denmark.
Proximity Finance Microfinance Company Limited provides loan products that help farmers, migrant workers and small business owners stabilize their finances. The company was incorporated in 2016 and is based in Myanmar.

Maarifa Education Holdings

Venture Round in 2019
Maarifa Edu Holdings Limited provides tertiary education in Africa. The company was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.

Kasha

Venture Round in 2020
Kasha is a platform for women’s health products and information serving women across all socioeconomic levels in urban and rural areas.

Jumo

Series A in 2018
We’re building next-generation financial services technologies to empower emerging market entrepreneurs. We use advanced data science and machine learning to create the fastest and leanest financial services infrastructure. Our partners use our technology stack to offer savings, lending and insurance products to entrepreneurs in emerging markets.These next-generation products give anyone with a cell phone and mobile wallet access to unprecedented financial choice, enabling millions of people to prosper, build their businesses and drive economic growth.

Starsight Energy

Debt Financing in 2020
Starsight Energy provides premier clean on-grid and off-grid energy services to commercial and industrial clients in Africa. We make clean energy a smart bottom-line decision for clients by eliminating all up-front costs. Clients pay an all-inclusive monthly fee for end-to-end service.

EthioChicken

Debt Financing in 2016
EthioChicken PLC, a poultry company, produces and distributes day-old chicken. It offers eggs and meat. EthioChicken PLC was formerly known as Mekelle Farms PLC. The company was founded in 2010 and is based in Ethiopia with production centers Ethiopia.

Starsight Energy

Debt Financing in 2021
Starsight Energy provides premier clean on-grid and off-grid energy services to commercial and industrial clients in Africa. We make clean energy a smart bottom-line decision for clients by eliminating all up-front costs. Clients pay an all-inclusive monthly fee for end-to-end service.

AwanTunai

Series B in 2024
AwanTunai is digitizing the traditional FMCG supply chain with online inventory ordering, digital payments for micro SME merchants. AwanTunai also helps government efforts by providing technology and financing to grocery suppliers and traders in Indonesia. We believe that every Indonesian has the right to access affordable, safe, and modern financing to improve their welfare.

Hewatele

Venture Round in 2023
Hewatele is a social enterprise that provides affordable quality medical oxygen to all needy patients together with its affiliates CPHD and Mediquip Global.

Kasha

Series B in 2023
Kasha is a platform for women’s health products and information serving women across all socioeconomic levels in urban and rural areas.

HealthifyMe

Series D in 2023
HealthifyMe is an application that allows its users to achieve their fitness and weight loss goals from their computers and smartphones. The application enables its users to track their calories, nutrition, and fitness activities; track their weight and determine if they are healthy; set healthy goals and work toward meeting them; share their data with experts; and get expert advice and suggestions on their lifestyles. HealthifyMe was developed and launched by a team of doctors, nutritionists, and fitness trainers in 2012. It is based in Bangalore, India.

Africa Mobile Networks

Debt Financing in 2023
Africa Mobile Networks Ltd finances, builds, and operates mobile network base stations in Sub-Saharan Africa region, connecting the unconnected rural population. The company combines low power Base Transceiver Station (BTS) transmitters with Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) satellite technology and directs traffic onto an existing network, using solar panels to power the systems. Africa Mobile Networks Ltd was founded in 2013 and is based in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom.

KaiOS

Venture Round in 2022
KaiOS Technologies, Inc. designs and develops mobile operating systems. The company was founded in 2014 and is based in San Diego, California.

Igloo

Series B in 2022
Axinan Pte. Ltd. provides online insurance brokerage services. The company offers digital insurance products, leveraging big data, real-time risk assessment, and end-to-end automated claims management. Its offerings range from travel and personal goods insurance products to accidents and disease insurance. Axinan Pte. Ltd. was incorporated in 2016 and is based in Singapore with additional locations in Taipei City, Taiwan; Bangkok, Thailand; Chengdu, China; Jakarta, Indonesia; and Manila, the Philippines.

Satya MicroCapital

Debt Financing in 2023
Satya MicroCapital Limited, a non-banking financial company, offers micro financing services. The company provides small value unsecured loans to low income customers in urban, semi-urban, and rural areas. As of June 30, 2020, it operated through a network of 152 branches. The company was formerly known as TFC Finvest Limited and changed its name to Satya MicroCapital Limited in September, 2016. Satya MicroCapital Limited was incorporated in 1995 and is based in New Delhi, India.

SPARK Schools

Series C in 2021
The SPARK Schools model combines highly engaging classroom teaching, individual instruction in the Learning Lab, partnership with families and the community, and dedicated professional development for teachers and school leaders to facilitate student achievement. SPARK Schools students prepare for university and successful careers by excelling academically, practicing creative thinking skills, and demonstrating core values that emphasize cooperative citizenship and love of learning.

ETG

Debt Financing in 2020
ETG, established in 1967, is one of the largest and fastest growing integrated agricultural conglomerates in sub-Saharan Africa, importing and exporting soft commodities to and from 48 countries including Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria and South Africa. It also has supply chain operations in China, India, America, Middle East, and South East Asia; merchandising desks in Europe, and; treasury companies in Singapore, Mauritius and UAE. Globally, ETG is present across 48 countries. ETG runs its business under five business verticals: 1. Fertilizer and Farm Inputs: ETG is one of the largest importers and distributors of fertilizers and farm inputs in sub-saharan africa 2. Cash traded products: Pulses, Sesame seed, Cashew and Rice are key commodities in this vertical. ETG is the world largest trader and processor of Pulses as well as world largest trader for raw cashew nuts. 3. Exchange traded commodities: Grains & oilseeds, sugar, coffee, cocoa, maize and soybean are key products in this segment. ETG is one of the major players for maize and soybean in sub-shara africa 4. Consumer Branded (Vamara): ETG operates multiple processing plants across 14 countries to manufacture products that are targeted to African consumers. ETG has 22 brands in its portfolio that offers products from vegetable cooking oil, condiments, and spreads, etc. 5. Logistics: ETG operates a very successful and integrated Logistics platform. ETG has a network of more than 400+ warehouses across 32 countries and a fleet of more than 900 trucks. ETG provided end-to-end Logistics services across sub-Sahara Africa.

CIM Sante

Venture Round in 2021
CIM Sante is a Moroccan private healthcare group that develops cardiac catherization. CIM Sante Group is made of 3 clinics namely The Heart and Vascular Diseases Clinic in Rabat(1994), The International Clinic of Marrakech (2011), The International Clinic of Tangier(2020). CIM Santé Group also radiology and laundry service companies in partnership in medical laboratories.

Jumo

Series B in 2018
We’re building next-generation financial services technologies to empower emerging market entrepreneurs. We use advanced data science and machine learning to create the fastest and leanest financial services infrastructure. Our partners use our technology stack to offer savings, lending and insurance products to entrepreneurs in emerging markets.These next-generation products give anyone with a cell phone and mobile wallet access to unprecedented financial choice, enabling millions of people to prosper, build their businesses and drive economic growth.

Early Dawn Microfinance Company Ltd.

Private Placement in 2020
Early Dawn Microfinance Company Limited, a microfinance institution, offers loans to women vendors and small manufacturers. It provides financial tools, financial literacy training, and education to its women client base of micro, small, and medium business owners. The company was founded in 2002 and is based in Yangon, Myanmar.

d.light

Venture Round in 2022
d.light design inc. designs, manufactures, distributes, and sells solar light and power products for households and small businesses worldwide. The company solar lanterns, home systems, and appliances. It serves customers through a network of importers, distributors, and retailers, as well as online. The company was founded in 2004 and is based in Palo Alto, California with additional offices in Shenzhen, China; Gurgaon, India; Nairobi, Kenya; Kampala, Uganda; and Lagos, Nigeria.

EthioChicken

Venture Round in 2021
EthioChicken PLC, a poultry company, produces and distributes day-old chicken. It offers eggs and meat. EthioChicken PLC was formerly known as Mekelle Farms PLC. The company was founded in 2010 and is based in Ethiopia with production centers Ethiopia.

Bandwidth and Cloud Services Group

Debt Financing in 2021
Bandwidth and Cloud Services (BCS) Group is the premier provider of back haul data and cloud services to mobile operators and Internet Service Providers in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda). The Group is a shareholder in The East African Marine System (TEAMS). Further they provide hosted services that add value to the day to day lives of the 'Wananchi' in East Africa and in turn increase the need for bandwidth.

Access Bank

Post in 2019
Access Bank provides banking products and services to individual and business customers in Ghana. It offers standard savings and current, access advantage, solo, and premier accounts. The company also provides online banking services that include ATM, online access, and point-of-sale terminal services; and bills payment and Western Union money transfer services.

Cibuk 1 wind farm

Merger/Acquisition in 2017
Cibuk 1 wind farm comprises a wind farm and is located in Serbia.

M-Birr

Seed Round in 2012
M-BIRR Limited provides mobile banking services. It offers M-BIRR, a software as a service platform that provides mobile money services to financial institutions. The company also offers domestic money transfer, balance and mini-statement, cash in/out agent network, loan and saving repayment, mobile top-up, salary disbursement, goods payment, and international remittance services. In addition, it provides business, marketing, and strategy consulting services. The company serves residential and business customers; and banks and microfinance institutions in Ethiopia. M-BIRR Limited was incorporated in 2001 and is based in Dublin, Ireland.

Yalelo

Private Placement in 2019
Yalelo is a pioneer of aquaculture in Zambia, bringing together local resources and world-leading practices. We implement a scalable solution to ease the pressure on Zambia’s struggling wild-capture fisheries sector. Founded in 2011, we have grown quickly to become the leading fisheries firm in Zambia and among the largest aquaculture firms in Africa. We breed and grow our tilapia on the shores of Lake Kariba and sell our product fresh nation-wide. Our pristine water, locally produced non-GMO fish feed and a robust cold-chain results in a product quality and affordability that is transforming the customer experience.

Jumo

Debt Financing in 2017
We’re building next-generation financial services technologies to empower emerging market entrepreneurs. We use advanced data science and machine learning to create the fastest and leanest financial services infrastructure. Our partners use our technology stack to offer savings, lending and insurance products to entrepreneurs in emerging markets.These next-generation products give anyone with a cell phone and mobile wallet access to unprecedented financial choice, enabling millions of people to prosper, build their businesses and drive economic growth.

Fuzu

Seed Round in 2016
Fuzu is a mobile-first career development platform for users in emerging economies, from Africa and Middle East to Asia and Latin America. Fuzu takes a fresh approach to job-seeking, recruitment and learning - with focus on testing and developing one’s skills and competencies. Fuzu keeps the users engaged by continuously offering high quality content and news and by maximizing the power of social networks in career management.

Incap

Post in 2008
Incap Oyj, together with its subsidiaries, provides electronics manufacturing services in Finland, Estonia, India, and China. The company offers PCB assembly manufacturing, box build assembly, and prototyping and engineering services, as well as customized solutions, such as tester development and magnetic assemblies. It serves the suppliers of high-technology equipment. The company was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland.

Africado

Debt Financing in 2019
Africado is an avocado plantation at the foot of the Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Established in 2007, Africado has developed and grown a business from start up to becoming the largest fruit exporter in Tanzania, producing and exporting Hass avocado to the EU. The company works with over 2,000 small scale out-growers. Norfund provided 40% of the equity required for the project.

Fuzu

Private Placement in 2020
Fuzu is a mobile-first career development platform for users in emerging economies, from Africa and Middle East to Asia and Latin America. Fuzu takes a fresh approach to job-seeking, recruitment and learning - with focus on testing and developing one’s skills and competencies. Fuzu keeps the users engaged by continuously offering high quality content and news and by maximizing the power of social networks in career management.

Hewatele

Venture Round in 2024
Hewatele is a social enterprise that provides affordable quality medical oxygen to all needy patients together with its affiliates CPHD and Mediquip Global.

Kentegra Biotechnology Holdings LLC

Venture Round in 2023
Kentegra Biotechnology Holdings is a leading U.S-Kenyan company that supports a Kenyan-based biopesticide processing business that aggregates, extracts, and refines pale refine extract (PRE) from the pyrethrum flower, and sells the PRE to formulators across the world. Kentegra is committed to improving farmer’s livelihoods by investing in the communities where we are working to help farmers and their families have a more stable income and better quality of life. Grants: Norad 2021, AgriFi 2020, USAID 2020, USAID 2019, DEG 2020, DEG 2019

Vinfast

Debt Financing in 2022
Vinfast is the automotive brand of Vietnamese conglomerate, VinGroup. As the sole Vietnamese automaker, Vinfast expresses the aspirations of building a Vietnamese brand with world-class, affirming the ability to master the modern technology of the Vietnamese. Brand name VinFast expresses Style - Safety - Innovation - Pioneer - Proud - Global.

Jumo

Venture Round in 2018
We’re building next-generation financial services technologies to empower emerging market entrepreneurs. We use advanced data science and machine learning to create the fastest and leanest financial services infrastructure. Our partners use our technology stack to offer savings, lending and insurance products to entrepreneurs in emerging markets.These next-generation products give anyone with a cell phone and mobile wallet access to unprecedented financial choice, enabling millions of people to prosper, build their businesses and drive economic growth.

Access Bank

Debt Financing in 2024
Access Bank provides banking products and services to individual and business customers in Ghana. It offers standard savings and current, access advantage, solo, and premier accounts. The company also provides online banking services that include ATM, online access, and point-of-sale terminal services; and bills payment and Western Union money transfer services.