Y Combinator is a startup accelerator based in Mountain View, California, founded in 2005. It has pioneered a new funding model for early-stage startups by investing a modest amount of capital, typically around $150,000, in a large number of companies twice a year. Over a three-month program, Y Combinator collaborates closely with these startups to prepare them for investor pitches and enhance their business strategies. Each funding cycle concludes with Demo Day, where startups present to an exclusive audience of investors. Y Combinator focuses on various sectors, including business software, education, healthcare, and financial technology, among others. In addition to initial funding, it offers ongoing support through its extensive alumni network. Since its inception, Y Combinator has funded over 630 startups, contributing significantly to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Silicon Valley and beyond.

Techstars Central LLC, founded in 2006 and based in Boulder, Colorado, operates as a startup accelerator and venture capital firm focused on supporting early-stage technology-oriented companies. It specializes in a mentorship-driven accelerator program, selecting ten startups each summer to participate in a three-month incubation period, offering funding of $120,000 in exchange for equity. Techstars invests primarily in sectors such as fintech, artificial intelligence, blockchain, augmented reality, and IoT, while avoiding investments in medical devices, healthcare technology, and local service-oriented businesses. In addition to its primary accelerator, Techstars has various specialized programs, including those focused on music, retail, mobility, and social impact, with global reach extending to regions such as Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The firm prefers taking minority stakes, typically between six and ten percent, without seeking board representation or investor rights. Techstars has built a robust network of entrepreneurs, mentors, and corporate partners to foster innovation and growth within its portfolio, which includes over 1,000 companies with a significant collective market capitalization.

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.

Proparco is a French government organization established in 1977, dedicated to promoting private sector funding in sustainable development. Based in Paris, the firm focuses on financing and supporting companies and financial institutions across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Proparco's investment strategy emphasizes key development sectors such as renewable energy, infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, and financial services. The organization aims to strengthen the contributions of private actors towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the international community. Proparco finances projects that create jobs, provide essential goods and services, and combat climate change, offering a range of financial instruments including loans, equity, and guarantees. Its interventions are designed to enhance the resilience of communities and promote sustainable economic growth in emerging markets.

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.

TLcom Capital is a venture capital firm established in 1999, with offices in Lagos, Nairobi, and London. The firm primarily focuses on technology-enabled companies across Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as in Europe, Israel, and the United States. TLcom Capital manages over $300 million, with a specific emphasis on early to growth-stage investments. In 2017, the firm launched the TLcom TIDE Africa fund, aiming to raise $100 million to support technology startups across Africa. The fund's investment sectors include fintech, commerce, consumer services, and corporate services, covering areas such as health, education, energy, and media.

Plug and Play, founded in 2006 and based in Sunnyvale, California, operates as a business accelerator and venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage and seed investments in technology startups. The firm runs 12 industry-specific accelerator programs annually, connecting startups with corporate partners and investors to foster collaboration and growth. Plug and Play's investment strategy encompasses a wide range of sectors, including fintech, health and wellness, travel, cybersecurity, and sustainability, allowing it to support diverse startups from any country. The firm provides various resources, including funding, mentorship, office space, and networking opportunities, and has a global presence with offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. Plug and Play has a strong track record, having helped numerous startups secure over $9 billion in funding since its inception. Its programs aim to refine business models and facilitate introductions to potential investors, ultimately contributing to the growth of the startup ecosystem.

Founders Factory is a prominent startup accelerator and venture studio that partners with entrepreneurs and corporates to build and scale technology startups globally. Established in 2015, it focuses on reducing the risks associated with startup development by providing capital, operational support, and access to established corporate networks. The firm has created a diverse portfolio of over 200 tech companies, including more than 35 startups developed from inception within its Venture Studio. In Africa, Founders Factory Africa, founded in 2018, specifically targets investments in sectors such as health, energy, fintech, and education, emphasizing scale, technology, and social impact. In exchange for a seed investment and operational assistance, the firm acquires equity in the startups it supports, aiming to help them transition into viable and sustainable businesses.

The African Development Bank (AfDB), founded in 1964 and headquartered in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, serves as a multilateral development finance institution dedicated to fostering economic and social progress in Africa. It provides a range of financial products including loans, lines of credit, guarantees, and risk management solutions to both public and private sector projects. The bank collaborates with national and international development entities to finance development initiatives, offering technical assistance for project selection, preparation, and studies. Additionally, the African Development Fund (ADF), a concessional financing arm of the bank, supports low-income regional member countries with loans and grants aimed at poverty reduction and economic development. Through these efforts, the AfDB promotes investments that contribute to sustainable growth across the continent.

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.