Frontier & Growth Markets
Photo credit: Powered by People
Africa | March 3, 2021
Powered by People secures $1.5 million to connect artisans to markets
ImpactAlpha, March 3 – Kenya-based Powered by People is a “distributed manufacturer” that enables artists and designers to become suppliers to large companies like …
Photo credit: VeggieVictory
Africa | March 3, 2021
Startups in Singapore, the U.S. and Nigeria attract capital for animal-free products
ImpactAlpha, March 3 – Singapore’s Next Gen raised $10 million for its plant-based chicken products. Singapore Economic Development Board, NX Food, FEBE Ventures and …
Photo credit: Amartha
Asia | February 25, 2021
Lendable backs Amartha to finance Indonesia’s women-led businesses
ImpactAlpha, February 25 – Jakarta-based lending platform Amartha supports unbanked women micro-entrepreneurs in Indonesia’s rural areas. It secured $10 million in credit from Nairobi-based …
Photo credit: India-focused SME finance venture Kinara
Africa | February 22, 2021
Seed-stage is a bright spot as emerging market investors bet on the digital disruption
ImpactAlpha, February 22 – Startup funding shriveled in most emerging markets last year as investors were reluctant to write big checks in the face …
Community Finance | February 11, 2021
Indian government-backs social impact bond to improve public health services
ImpactAlpha, February 11 — A public entity in the Indian city of Pune is partnering with the United Nations Development Programme on a …
Photo credit: Maya
Asia | February 10, 2021
Maya secures $2.2 million for mobile health consultations in Bangladesh
ImpactAlpha, February 10 – Dhaka-based health messaging app Maya relies on artificial intelligence, healthcare professionals and physicians to connect users to health and mental …
WIC Capital portfolio company E-Cover, which recycles used tires
Climate Finance | February 9, 2021
Mapping the climate edge for gender investors – and vice versa
ImpactAlpha, February 9 – A women-led, women-backed investment fund in Dakar, Senegal is getting an environmental bonus from the women entrepreneurs it supports. A …
Asia | February 4, 2021
Temasek’s ABC World Asia backs Vietnamese oral health provider Kim Dental
ImpactAlpha, February 4 — Singapore-based private equity impact fund ABC World Asia, launched by Temasek in 2019, led a $24 million financing round …
Asia | February 4, 2021
Frontier Nutrition snags $6 million to bring fortified snacks to Bangladesh
ImpactAlpha, February 5 — New Haven, Conn.-based Frontier Nutrition sells low-cost, nutritious snacks, including lentil butter, chocolate, powdered drinks and biscuits in over …
Asia | February 4, 2021
Indonesia’s Green Butcher raises $2 million for plant-based meat
ImpactAlpha, February 4 — Green Butcher has a partnership with Starbucks Indonesia to roll out vegan-friendly beef across the country. Singapore-based Teja Ventures …
Africa | February 3, 2021
Catalyst Fund backs six early-stage African fintech ventures
ImpactAlpha, February 3 — Catalyst Fund supports emerging-market entrepreneurs expanding access to basic goods and services. The accelerator has committed £80,000 ($110,000) to …
Dealflow | February 2, 2021
Suma acquires Mexican business tech venture Bind ERP
ImpactAlpha, February 2 — Monterrey, Mexico-based Bind ERP has helped digitize more than 6,000 small businesses in Mexico. London, U.K.-based Suma SaaS Holdings …
Clean Energy | January 28, 2021
Rise Fund’s renewables group acquires Chilean solar energy portfolio
ImpactAlpha, January 28 — The Rise Fund’s solar investment arm, Matrix Renewables, is buying up a 154-megawatt solar portfolio from Santiago-based Verano Capital. The …
Photo credit: Shoegaro
Catalytic Capital | January 27, 2021
Upaya Social Ventures supports ‘good jobs’ in India with four investments
ImpactAlpha, January 27 – Seattle-based Upaya Social Ventures invests in small and growing businesses creating dignified jobs for underserved Indians. It closed four convertible …
Africa | January 27, 2021
DFC guarantees Cordaid to spur lending in Africa’s Sahel
ImpactAlpha, January 27 – The U.S. International Development Finance Corp. approved a $14.8 million loan portfolio guarantee for Cordaid Investment Management. The commitment is …