Village Capital is a Washington, D.C.-based venture capital firm founded in 2009 that focuses on early-stage and seed investments in sectors such as agriculture, education, energy, financial services, and healthcare. The firm aims to empower entrepreneurs by employing a unique peer-support model, allowing entrepreneurs to select the ventures that receive pre-committed seed funding at the conclusion of its programs. Village Capital connects high-potential entrepreneurs with essential resources, fostering innovation and growth. It operates both a nonprofit that provides training for founders and a for-profit investment fund that invests in top program graduates, having supported over 1,000 entrepreneurs and more than 550 enterprises across various global regions. The firm has achieved notable success, with its alumni generating significant revenue and creating thousands of jobs, while maintaining a high recommendation rate among participants.
Vantage Capital, established in 2001 and based in Johannesburg, South Africa, operates as an independent private equity fund manager. It is recognized as one of the few black-owned and managed private equity firms in the country. The firm primarily focuses on private equity investments for its own account as well as for third-party funds. In addition to its core private equity activities, Vantage Capital has also managed a venture capital fund that targeted investments in the software and technology, media, and telecommunications sectors, supporting a range of companies within those industries.
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) is a self-sustaining U.S. Government agency that helps American businesses invest in emerging markets. Established in 1971, OPIC provides businesses with the tools to manage the risks associated with foreign direct investment, fosters economic development in emerging market countries, and advances U.S. foreign policy and national security priorities. OPIC helps American businesses gain footholds in new markets, catalyzes new revenues and contributes to jobs and growth opportunities both at home and abroad. OPIC fulfills its mission by providing businesses with financing, political risk insurance, advocacy and by partnering with private equity investment fund managers. OPIC services are available to new and expanding businesses planning to invest in more than 160 countries worldwide. Because OPIC charges market-based fees for its products, it operates on a self-sustaining basis at no net cost to taxpayers. All OPIC projects must adhere to best international practices and cannot cause job loss in the United States.
Investisseurs & Partenaires is an impact investment group focused on supporting African Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Established in 2002 by Patrice Hoppenot and currently led by Jean-Michel Severino, I&P has invested in over 90 companies across 16 African countries, spanning various sectors such as health, transport, and microfinance. The organization aims to foster local economic development by providing capital, technical assistance, and strategic support to enhance the growth of its portfolio companies. I&P manages four pan-African funds and sponsors five additional impact funds, with a total of €135 million under management. The team, comprising approximately forty professionals, operates from Paris and seven African offices located in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Madagascar, Niger, and Senegal. Through its investments, I&P seeks to create long-term employment opportunities and generate significant social, environmental, and governance impacts across the continent.
Pearl Capital Partners is a venture capital firm based in Kampala, Uganda, specializing in investments in small and medium-sized agricultural businesses in East Africa, with a particular focus on Uganda. Established in 2006, the firm typically invests between $0.25 million and $2.5 million per company, utilizing a mix of equity, quasi-equity, and debt instruments. Pearl Capital Partners aims to generate financial returns for its investors while fostering significant social impact through its investment activities. The firm collaborates closely with ambitious management teams, providing supportive investment structures and specialized expertise to help cultivate high-growth agribusinesses. Additionally, Pearl Capital Partners has offices in Nairobi, Kenya, and Mauritius, further enhancing its regional presence.
Norfund is a Norwegian government organization founded in 1997, based in Oslo, that focuses on reducing poverty and enhancing economic development in low-income countries. It serves as an active, strategic minority investor, providing risk capital, equity, and loans to businesses in regions where access to financing is limited. Primarily operating in Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as selected areas in Southeast Asia and Central America, Norfund aims to foster sustainable business growth in environments where the private sector is underdeveloped. The organization also invests in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to further support local economic initiatives. Through its investments, Norfund seeks to create a significant positive impact on the economies of the countries it targets.
Oikocredit is a financial institution established in 1968 and based in the Netherlands. It focuses on empowering individuals and communities by providing funding to the microfinance sector, fair trade organizations, cooperatives, and small to medium enterprises. Oikocredit aims to create sustainable opportunities for people in need, enabling them to improve their own circumstances through access to financial resources.
XSML is an investment fund manager founded in 2008, focusing on frontier markets in Central and East Africa. The firm specializes in identifying and investing in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the goal of nurturing their growth into larger businesses. By targeting both private equity and debt investment opportunities, XSML aims to support the development of the local economy and enhance the commercial landscape in these regions.
CDC Group, established in 1948, is the UK’s Development Finance Institution wholly owned by the government. Its primary mission is to foster business development in Africa and South Asia, aiming to create jobs and improve living conditions in some of the world’s most impoverished regions. CDC invests strategically in sectors where job creation is most needed, including manufacturing, agribusiness, infrastructure, financial institutions, construction, health, and education. By supporting businesses in these areas, CDC seeks to stimulate economic growth and enhance the private sector in regions where it is often underdeveloped. Through its portfolio, which includes numerous investee businesses, CDC has demonstrated a significant impact on job creation and local economies, contributing to tax revenues and ultimately improving the lives of individuals in the communities it serves.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a member of The World Bank Group that focuses on fostering sustainable economic growth in developing countries through private sector investment. It provides a range of financial services, including loans, equity investments, quasi-equity products, and advisory services aimed at supporting startups and various stages of company development. IFC invests in sectors such as agribusiness, financial services, health, education, infrastructure, global manufacturing, oil and gas, telecommunications, and tourism, with a particular emphasis on projects that promote food security, digital finance, and affordable healthcare. The organization targets investments ranging from $1 million to $100 million, often seeking minority stakes but may also take a majority position in its portfolio companies. IFC aims to create jobs, generate tax revenues, and enhance corporate governance in emerging markets, thus contributing positively to local communities. Established in 1956 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., IFC operates globally with offices across various regions, focusing its efforts on financing projects that align with its mission of improving lives in developing countries.