CDC Group, established in 1948, is the UK's Development Finance Institution, fully owned by the UK government's Department for International Development. As the world's oldest DFI, CDC focuses on fostering business development in Africa and South Asia, aiming to create jobs and improve living conditions in some of the poorest regions. The institution invests strategically in areas where the private sector is underdeveloped and job opportunities are limited, targeting sectors such as manufacturing, agribusiness, infrastructure, financial services, construction, health, and education. Through its portfolio, CDC has supported numerous investee businesses, significantly contributing to job creation and local tax revenues, thereby making a substantial impact on the economies and communities it serves.
Accion is a global nonprofit organization founded in 1961 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, dedicated to enhancing financial inclusion worldwide. The organization focuses on providing access to financial tools and services for underserved individuals, small businesses, and communities. Accion collaborates with financial service providers to deliver affordable and high-quality solutions, while also engaging with industry leaders and regulators to promote a more inclusive financial landscape. Through its Venture Lab initiative, Accion invests in innovative fintech startups that work to improve the accessibility, quality, and affordability of financial services for underserved populations. In addition to capital investment, Accion offers strategic and operational support to these startups, helping them scale and thrive in the formal economy. The organization emphasizes the use of technology and new business models to create impactful customer experiences, thereby fostering financial health and capabilities among those traditionally excluded from financial services.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a key member of The World Bank Group, dedicated to fostering sustainable economic growth in developing countries through private sector investments. It provides a wide array of financial products, including loans, equity, and quasi-equity investments, to startups and established companies across various sectors such as agribusiness, financial services, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and technology. IFC aims to mobilize capital in international financial markets while also offering advisory services to enhance corporate governance and environmental performance. The organization focuses on projects that are majority-owned by the private sector in developing countries, with typical investment amounts ranging from $1 million to $100 million. IFC does not invest in certain sectors, including weapons and munitions, tobacco, and gambling. Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., IFC plays a crucial role in creating jobs, generating tax revenues, and improving the quality of life in the communities it serves, particularly for those who are most in need.
Pearl Capital Partners is a venture capital firm based in Kampala, Uganda, that specializes in investing in small and medium-sized agricultural businesses in East Africa, particularly in Uganda. Established in 2006, the firm focuses on providing growth equity and debt investments, typically ranging from $0.25 million to $2.5 million per company. Pearl Capital Partners aims to generate financial returns while also fostering significant social impact through its investments. The firm collaborates with dedicated management teams and employs tailored investment structures, leveraging its specialized expertise to cultivate high-growth agribusinesses in the region. In addition to its headquarters in Uganda, Pearl Capital Partners has offices in Nairobi, Kenya, and Mauritius.
Founders Factory is a prominent startup accelerator and venture studio that collaborates with top founders and corporate partners to create, fund, and scale innovative startups globally. Founded in 2015 by Brent Hoberman, Henry Lane Fox, and George Northcott, the organization aims to streamline and reduce the risks associated with building technology startups by offering a combination of capital, expert operational support, and access to major corporations. With a portfolio featuring over 200 tech companies, more than 35 of which were developed within their venture studio, Founders Factory operates with various corporate partners, including well-known brands across multiple industries. Additionally, Founders Factory Africa, established in 2018, focuses on incubating startups in health, energy, fintech, and education, primarily investing in early-stage companies within Africa. They provide seed funding and operational support to help these businesses become viable and sustainable.
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.
FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, is dedicated to fostering private sector growth in developing countries and emerging markets across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Central and Eastern Europe. Established in 1970 through a collaboration between the Netherlands government and various Dutch financial institutions, industry, and trade unions, FMO provides financial support through loans, equity investments, and other financial instruments. Its investment portfolio is diversified, with significant allocations in financial institutions, energy, agribusiness, food and water, and private equity. The organization plays a crucial role in facilitating sustainable development by empowering businesses and stimulating economic progress in regions that require capital and expertise.
Betatron Limited is a venture capital firm and accelerator that focuses on investing in start-up and early-stage technology companies, primarily those looking to expand in Asia. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, the firm aims to invest up to US$ 0.5 million in approximately 15-20 startups each year. Initial investments are made as soon as startups join the program, with subsequent funding based on company valuations. Betatron fosters a network that includes investors, entrepreneurs, startups, mentors, and alumni, providing not only financial support but also hands-on guidance and access to a valuable network to help drive business success.
Helios Investment Partners LLP is a private equity and venture capital firm established in 2004 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The firm focuses on investments across Africa, particularly in Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya, and engages in a variety of investment types, including buyouts, growth equity, and structured investments in listed entities. Helios targets sectors such as telecommunications, media, financial services, power, utilities, travel, leisure, distribution, fast-moving consumer goods, logistics, and agro-allied industries. Investment sizes typically range from $15 million to $200 million per transaction, and the firm often seeks board representation in its portfolio companies.