Fintech
Accion Venture Lab Launches New Fund, Quadruples Capital for Inclusive Fintech Startups
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Today, global nonprofit Accion announced that its seed-stage investment initiative Accion Venture Lab is adding $33M to its initial capital pool, with the launch of a new $23M fund and an additional, separate $10M investment from Accion. The new fund brings together a group of third-party impact and commercial investors that share Venture Lab’s commitment to innovative fintech startups that leverage technology to increase the reach, quality, and affordability of financial services for the underserved at scale.
Launched in 2012 with $10 million in capital, Accion Venture Lab has emerged as a leader in fintech impact investing at the seed stage. To date, millions of people and small businesses around the world have benefitted from services provided by Venture Lab portfolio companies, and many of those companies have gone on to achieve substantial scale thanks to Venture Lab’s catalytic capital. For every dollar Accion Venture Lab has invested, its portfolio companies have raised an additional $13 in equity capital from later-stage investors.
“Despite progress, three billion people still have no safe or simple way to save money, get a loan to build a business, pay a bill, or protect their health and property with insurance,” said Michael Schlein, President and CEO of Accion. “Fintech startups are finding new ways to provide products and services that help these underserved people. Yet often startups lack the capital and strategic support they need to grow and scale their impact. Accion Venture Lab addresses this need.”
Inclusive fintech startups face the same significant entrepreneurial challenges as other startups, as well as additional challenges: a highly competitive sector, constantly evolving regulations that vary across markets, challenges building the right team, and tight margins. To address these needs, Venture Lab — typically the first institutional investor in its portfolio companies — provides both capital and extensive strategic and operational support across a broad range of functional areas.
“We’re seeing substantial growth in the amount of investment capital available for fintech startups from what we saw when Accion Venture Lab launched in 2012, but money isn’t enough,” said Venture Lab Managing Director Tahira Dosani. “Capital must be paired with strategic and operational support that is informed by a deep knowledge of the sector, target customer, and a deliberate focus on how new technologies can help the underserved build better lives. We can accelerate the growth trajectories of companies through our capital plus approach to investing.”
“There is strong potential for inclusive fintech startups to reach historically underserved communities while generating returns, and the oversubscription of the Accion Venture Lab fund is great validation of our early work investing in more than 40 innovative businesses operating in 30 markets,” said Venture Lab Managing Director Vikas Raj. “This new pool of capital enables us to scale our efforts and remain at the forefront of seed stage investing in inclusive fintech.”
Investors in Accion Venture Lab now include FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank; the Ford Foundation; the ImpactAssets Giving Fund of Blue Haven Initiative; Heifer Foundation; MetLife Foundation; Open Society Foundations; Pace Able Foundation; Proparco, the French Development Agency (AFD)’s private sector financing arm; Prudential Financial; Stichting Hivos-Triodos Fund, managed by Triodos Investment Management; and Visa Inc. (NYSE: V).
The Venture Lab portfolio focuses on an evolving set of key trends within the fintech space that offer the greatest potential to reach underserved communities. Today, those include insurtech, agricultural finance, digital lending, holistic MSME finance solutions, and personal financial management. Ultimately, these companies support entrepreneurship, resilience in farming, gig economy and migrant workers, healthcare, transportation, and education.
Venture Lab also partners with philanthropic organizations whose support enables it to provide specialized and extensive strategic and operational support to its portfolio companies and to invest at the higher-risk pre-seed stage in pursuit of its mission to reach the underserved.
As Accion’s seed-stage investment initiative, Venture Lab is one component of the organization’s approach to developing the inclusive fintech ecosystem to better meet the needs of the world’s three billion financially underserved. Other elements of this strategy include Accion’s partnership with Quona Capital — a leading growth stage venture firm focused on fintech for inclusion in emerging markets — and Accion’s work with industry initiatives like the Inclusive Fintech 50, which elevates early-stage fintechs addressing financial inclusion.
Note to reporters: Accion Venture Lab launched in 2012 with $10 million in capital. It will now invest an additional$33M — $10M from Accion and $23M from a coinvestment vehicle with third party funds, bringing Venture Lab’s total capital under management to $43M, more than four times the initial amount.
SOURCE Accion
Plug and Play, a global accelerator platform and one of the most active early-stage investors globally, has announced a strategic partnership with Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). Through the partnership, Plug and Play will establish and run the International Fintech Innovation Hub (IFIH), GIFT City’s FinTech Incubator and Accelerator, which aims to foster research and innovation in financial technology, reinforcing GIFT City’s role as a premier global fintech hub.
GIFT City’s MD and Group CEO, Mr. Tapan Ray, said, “Our vision at GIFT City is to drive fintech innovation by creating a climate-resilient, inclusive ecosystem that empowers diverse entrepreneurs and builds workforce competitiveness in emerging technologies. With the support of prominent partners in fintech education and incubation, we are committed to nurturing a new generation of talent that will be well-equipped to meet the needs of an evolving global economy.”
Manav Narang, Head of Financial Services for Plug and Play APAC and Program Lead for the GIFT Incubator and Accelerator added, “We are thrilled to bring Plug and Play’s global expertise to GIFT City. Our vision is to create India’s largest industry-wide fintech program – a collaborative platform where banks, payments corporations, venture capital and corporate venture capital firms, accelerators, and ecosystem partners unite. Together, we aim to catalyze transformative fintech solutions and nurture fintech unicorns that will shape the future of finance in India.”
The program will support fintech startups with resources, mentorship, capital, and networking to navigate and excel globally in the dynamic fintech landscape. The first batch of startups will be unveiled in January 2025.
The post Plug and Play and GIFT City Launch “IFIH,” a Global Fintech Incubator and Accelerator appeared first on .
Doo Group’s brokerage brand, Doo Financial is thrilled to announce its expansion into Indonesia by acquiring a reputable Indonesian broker to expand the business. This move brings its global investment services to local investors. Backed by the strength of Doo Group’s extensive international presence, cutting-edge technology, and 10 years of expertise, Doo Financial is well positioned to support investors at every level.
As a brand encompassing investment services offered by various legal entities within the Doo Group, Doo Financial provides a comprehensive range of global brokerage services. This wide range of products empowers investors to pursue their financial goals.
With a diversified portfolio, Doo Financial empowers investors to navigate various market conditions effectively, manage risks, and focus on long-term growth. This entry into the Indonesian market reflects Doo Financial’s commitment to supporting investors with flexible, high-quality investment options tailored to today’s dynamic financial landscape.
Supervision by International Regulatory Institutions to Ensure Top-Tier Safety
As a global leading finance group, Doo Group has licensed entities regulated by top regulatory authorities worldwide, ensuring a secure and reliable trading environment.
Our global credentials include licenses from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (US SEC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (US FINRA) in the U.S., the Financial Conduct Authority (UK FCA) in the UK, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (HK SFC), Badan Pengawas Perdagangan Berjangka Komoditi (BAPPEBTI) in Indonesia. These licenses enable us to provide secure and reliable financial services globally.
Dedication to Shape the Industry with Innovative Solutions
Doo Financial’s expansion into Indonesia brings advanced technology and a global perspective to empower local investors. As an international investment firm committed to secure and seamless trading, Doo Financial offers a diverse range of products and services to help diversify portfolios and open up new opportunities.
This growth elevates opportunities for Indonesian investors by offering seamless access to global markets and advanced trading platforms within a secure and regulated environment. It broadens investment choices and enhances the trading experience, aligning it with international standards and empowering local investors with comprehensive tools and resources for success.
Driven by unwavering commitment, this growth marks a significant milestone in Indonesia’s investment landscape, equipping our clients with the tools to navigate global markets. We remain dedicated to delivering exceptional service, exploring new opportunities, and driving future breakthroughs. With continued support from the FinTech community, we are excited to innovate and shape the future of finance.
Stay updated with the latest insights from Doo Financial. Join our community of empowered investors and let us be your trusted partner!
E-mail: [email protected]
The post Doo Financial Now in Indonesia: Offering Local Investors A Gateway to Global Markets appeared first on .
Fintech is on an accelerated trajectory of investment, collaboration, and innovation. This pulse tracks the most significant developments in the sector, from high-profile investments to global platform expansions. Each update in this briefing serves as a key indicator of where the industry is headed.
1. European Fintechs Face Regulatory Pressures Amid New Investment Surge
The European fintech sector finds itself at a crossroads with increasing scrutiny and rising costs due to stringent regulations. While investments continue to flow into the continent’s financial technology companies, challenges in meeting new compliance requirements, especially around data privacy and cybersecurity, create a complex landscape for scaling. This tension between opportunity and operational limitations might affect European fintechs’ growth strategies.
Source: Financial Times
2. Shopify, Slack Founders Join Peter Thiel in Fintech Investment Push
Tobi Lütke of Shopify and Stewart Butterfield of Slack, along with investor Peter Thiel, have co-invested in a new fintech initiative that aims to bolster small business access to capital. By merging technology with a streamlined funding model, this new initiative targets underserved SMBs, highlighting a broader trend of high-profile tech leaders pivoting to fintech investment. The participation of Lütke and Butterfield signals increased cross-sector collaboration in fintech, bringing expertise from e-commerce and communication technology into the financial arena.
Source: Yahoo Finance
3. Lean Technologies Raises $67.5 Million to Drive Fintech Innovation in the Middle East
Riyadh-based fintech platform Lean Technologies recently secured a $67.5 million Series B investment round, aiming to expand its operations across the Middle East. This funding reflects growing investor interest in emerging markets and the potential of Middle Eastern fintech to bridge regional gaps in financial services access. As Lean Technologies broadens its service offerings, the funding will support further technological integration and scalability across financial ecosystems in the region.
Source: Fintech Global
4. Apollo Global Management Invests in Fintech for Private Offerings Support
Apollo Global Management has taken steps to enhance its services for private offerings by investing in specialized fintech solutions. This development signifies a growing trend among private equity firms to adopt fintech as a core component in their service expansion, particularly for personalized client services. Apollo’s strategy of integrating fintech solutions into private offerings marks a strategic shift toward digitalization within traditional financial sectors.
Source: Bloomberg
5. Juniper Research Names 2025’s Future Leaders in Fintech
Juniper Research has revealed its picks for the top future leaders in fintech for 2025. This list emphasizes innovation in fields such as AI, open banking, and decentralized finance, highlighting startups that exhibit potential for reshaping industry standards. As these up-and-coming firms push the boundaries of traditional finance, they exemplify the rising tide of next-generation financial technology poised to become industry mainstays.
Source: Globe Newswire
Conclusion
The convergence of seasoned tech giants with fintech, new funding rounds for region-specific platforms, and the rise of future industry leaders underscore the momentum of the fintech sector. Each of these stories reflects a broader narrative: fintech is not only diversifying in services but also rapidly integrating into traditional finance and tech, paving the way for a transformative era.
The post Fintech Pulse: Evolving Fintech Investments and Partnerships Signal Industry Transformation appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.
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