Impact Tech
Photo credit: Hazel Technologies
Agrifood Tech | April 15, 2021
Hazel Technologies raises $70 million for packaging that curbs food spoilage
ImpactAlpha, April 15 – Curbing food waste in the U.S. is a $14 billion annual opportunity. Chicago-based tech startup Hazel Technologies supplies packaging inserts …
Photo credit: Numida
Africa | April 15, 2021
Uganda’s Numida secures $2.3 million to fill gaps in microfinance lending
ImpactAlpha, April 15 – Kampala-based Numida launched five years ago to provide microfinance institutions better data to underwrite loans to small and informal businesses. …
Photo credit: Tom Whitfield
Clean Energy | April 14, 2021
Cascade of climate-tech funds take aim at $10 trillion energy transition opportunity
ImpactAlpha. April 14 – Sign of the times: A clean energy venture firm launching in the heart of Texas’ oil patch. Houston-based Energy …
Photo credit: Quro Medical
Africa | April 14, 2021
South Africa’s Quro Medical raises $1.1 million for tech-enabled home healthcare
ImpactAlpha, April 14 – More than 80% of South Africa’s population, particularly the Black urban and rural poor, depend on the country’s s underfunded …
PC: Harvard School of Design.
affordable-housing | April 13, 2021
IFC backs FHipo to help Mexican families secure financing for affordable housing
ImpactAlpha, April 14 — Green projects and e-mortgages could help tackle Mexico’s severe affordable housing shortage, create jobs and accelerate economic recovery, according …
Clean Energy | April 13, 2021
Singapore’s Temasek and BlackRock team up as Decarbonization Partners
ImpactAlpha, April 13 – The two powerhouse asset managers are teaming up to invest in late-stage venture capital and early growth-stage private equity …
Photographer: Cyril Marcilhacy.
Agrifood Tech | April 13, 2021
Ÿnsect acquires Protifarm to produce mealworms for human consumption
ImpactAlpha, April 13 — French agtech Ÿnsect, which has raised insects for animal feed and fertilizer since 2011, is expanding its production of …
PC: Ampersand.
Africa | April 13, 2021
Ecosystem Integrity Fund invests $3.5 million in Rwanda’s Ampersand to electrify motorbikes
ImpactAlpha, April 13 — Kigali-based Ampersand launched in 2019 to build and finance electric motorcycles that it says are cheaper, cleaner, and performs …
PC: Transport Topics.
Catalytic Capital | April 12, 2021
Social Finance raises $36 million for ‘career impact bonds’ and backs American Diesel Training
ImpactAlpha, April 12 — Career impact bonds are bringing income-share agreements, which dozens of universities are using to provide help to low-income students …
PC: HBR.
Financial Inclusion | April 12, 2021
Village Capital backs tech startups in Jordan and Chile
ImpactAlpha, April 12 — Washington, D.C.-based Village Capital has made its first pair of investments through the early-stage Financial Innovation Fund it manages …
Agrifood Tech | April 12, 2021
Investors commit $25 million to expand lab-grown foods
ImpactAlpha, April 12 – Cellular meat is not just for burgers. Lab-grown food startups are now producing chicken, pork, steak, seafood and even fat. …
PC: SciTechDaily.
Clean Energy | April 8, 2021
Two battery tech startups secure seed funding from Clean Energy Ventures
ImpactAlpha, April 8 — Boston-based Clean Energy Ventures invests in clean energy technologies that can eventually displace 100 million tons of CO2 emissions …
Image credit: SWVL
Africa | April 8, 2021
Egyptian startup funds put North African tech innovation on the map
ImpactAlpha, April 8 – A pair of Cairo-based venture capital funds are supporting entrepreneurs tackling transportation, financial services, market inefficiencies and other regional …
Stages of growth and flowering of a daisy, blue sky background, life concept
Entrepreneurship | April 7, 2021
Crowdfunding’s awesome month
ImpactAlpha, April 7 – “Regulation crowdfunding” investments raised $60 million last month, led by offerings like Arlan Hamilton’s Backstage Capital and online digital …
PC: Hand in Hand.
Dealflow | April 7, 2021
Bain Capital Double Impact backs personal-care brand Hand in Hand
ImpactAlpha, April 7 — Boston-based private equity firm Bain Capital Double Impact has made an investment in Hand in Hand via its second, …