IFC Disruptive Tech, VC & Funds

#Digitalconnectivity is a powerful catalyst for economic growth and inclusive development in emerging markets. IFC - International Finance Corporation is #AcceleratingImpact in digital transformation by investing in projects that help bridge the #digitaldivide. In the past year, our various initiatives helped connect 174M people with digitally enabled services, helping to unlock opportunities for people and help businesses grow. Learn more about how IFC is accelerating digital transformation in our FY24 Annual Report: http://wrld.bg/Qtgc50TTg32 #DigitalInfrastructure #DisruptiveTech #DigitalEconomy #DigitalTransformation

🌍🌏 The Call for Applications for #SheWinsClimate is ongoing! 🌱 Women-led startups are key to innovative climate solutions. Despite their potential, only 7% of venture capital funding goes to women-led businesses in emerging markets, and just 10% is invested globally in women-led climate tech. This imbalance means that disruptive climate innovations by women aren’t getting the visibility, support, or investment they need. She Wins Climate, is IFC’s flagship program aimed at accelerating women-led climate startups and increasing their access to climate investment in emerging markets and developing economies. 1. Are you a woman-led climate #startup in an emerging market? Apply now to the She Wins Climate regional startup acceleration programs in Eastern Europe or Asia. 2. Are you a climate-focused venture capital #fundmanager looking to strengthen gender-lens investing strategies? Join the We Fund Climate peer learning platform! Let’s support and invest in women-led climate innovations to drive impactful solutions! Find out more about IFC’s She Wins Climate program here: www.ifc.org/shewinsclimate #SheWinsClimate #LivablePlanet #WomenEntrepreneurship #WomenEntrepreneurs #ClimateAction #VentureCapital #VC #ClimateTech #CleanTech

🌟 Wrapping Up the First Edition of VC Unlocked for IFC - International Finance Corporation's Startup Catalyst! This week, we concluded a tailored edition of VC Unlocked, a 4-month virtual training program offered by IFC Startup Catalyst in partnership with 500 Global. This program brought together over 30 participants from IFC Startup Catalyst-supported funds to deepen their skills and gain practical knowledge of best practices in early-stage venture investing. The live workshops led by 500 Global instructors were a true highlight, offering hands-on learning and opportunities to network with peers from venture ecosystems across regions and emerging markets where IFC Startup Catalyst invests. This training was the first offered under #CatalystBooster, which is the value creation and advisory complement to IFC Startup Catalyst. IFC Startup Catalyst was launched in 2016 to support seed-stage funding mechanisms (accelerators, seed funds, etc.) across nascent venture ecosystems in emerging markets. A big thank you to all the participants and 500 Global for making this program a success! We’re excited to see how this cohort applies what they’ve learned to drive impactful investments and support innovative startups in their markets. Learn more about IFC Startup Catalyst here: https://lnkd.in/gF8vXPtR #IFCStartupCatalyst #CatalystBooster #VCUnlocked #VentureCapital #VC #VCfunds #Learning #500Global Farid Fezoua, Mohamed Eissa, Laurien Field, Dipta Shah

Remittances matter. Over 280 million migrants across the globe rely on remittances to support their families and communities. Yet, in many regions, particularly in Central and West Africa, the cost of sending money remains unacceptably high, averaging 7.4% per transaction. For millions of families, these fees erode the funds needed for education, healthcare, and daily essentials. At IFC - International Finance Corporation, we believe that addressing these challenges requires innovative partnerships, scalable solutions, and a commitment to financial inclusion. Today, on #InternationalDayofMigrants, I had the opportunity to engage with the incredible team behind Zepz, a key player in the cross-border remittance market, in which IFC recently invested US$20m. We discussed key aspects of the remittance market, including pressing challenges such as high remittance costs, regulatory barriers, and inefficiencies, while also highlighting the opportunities to drive change in this space. Through this partnership, we are working to: ✅ Lower remittance costs, making every dollar sent more impactful for families. ✅ Expand access to formal financial services for underserved communities. ✅ Drive digital innovation to streamline money transfers and create more efficient systems. Our goal is to create a world where remittances contribute to the empowerment, resilience, and prosperity of migrant communities. #IFCinafrica #Zepz #InternationalDayofMigrants #FinancialInclusion Sergio Pimenta , Aliou Maiga , Farid Fezoua

💡 Calling all innovators! The The World Bank Bank Group Youth Summit 2025 Pitch Competition is now open. Turn your bold ideas into reality and get the chance to pitch your ideas in Washington DC! Apply by Jan 26, 2025: http://wrld.bg/ogGW50UsYYi #WBGYouthSummit

Women-led businesses in the #WesternBalkans receive just 5% of available funding—a significant gap that limits inclusivity and economic potential in the region. To help close this gap, IFC - International Finance Corporation is investing €15M in Evolving Europe II, a private equity fund managed by Integral Capital Group supporting mid-market companies in #Romania, #Bulgaria, #Croatia, the #WesternBalkans, and beyond. The fund focuses on high-growth sectors like technology, healthcare, and industrials, while committing at least 25% of its portfolio to women-led or owned businesses. This investment will help drive economic growth across the region, promoting inclusion and fostering innovation. It also aligns with IFC's mission to develop local capital markets, diversify financial systems, and provide much-needed equity financing to help businesses thrive. Learn more here: http://wrld.bg/j6XN50UpFJx IFC Europe IFC Disruptive Tech, VC & Funds #PE #PrivateEquity #IFCfunds #ImpactInvesting #WomenEntrepreneurship, Farid Fezoua, Nicholas Vickery, Carlos Mayorga, Ketevan Liparteliani, Clemens Gartner-Zehentner, Laurien Field

🌐📶 Debunking 5G Myths. In the rapidly evolving world of technology, #5G stands out as a game-changer, promising unprecedented speed and connectivity. However, with great innovations often come great misconceptions. 🤔 Are you curious about what’s true and what’s not when it comes to 5G? This new blog dives deep into the most common myths surrounding 5G technology and sets the record straight. Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll learn: 🔍 Coverage: Will 5G be available everywhere? 🔍 Rollout speed: Will 5G replace 4G right away? 🔍 Global development: How will 5G impact emerging markets? 🔍 Climate: Will 5G have an impact on climate? This insightful read not only clarifies misconceptions but also highlights the transformative potential of 5G in driving #digitaldevelopment and economic growth. Read the full blog here: https://lnkd.in/gy_XNJCg #5G #DigitalDevelopment #DigitalInfrastructure #Connectivty #TechInnovation, The World Bank

Exhilarating week in Capetown with everyone at SuperReturn and with my colleagues at the IFC at the IFC Equity Event. A big thank you to George Odo for moderating a fantastic panel, Aysha Tegally and Brenton Lee Lalu for an engaging conversation on LP trends in Africa at #SuperReturn. A big thank you to Luc Rigouzzo for being as candid as possible in our conversation, @Alexis Maude Joanne Y. Hatim Ben Ahmed, for enriching the conversation at our Equity event. And finally a big thank you all @Ken osei, Sandiswa Masande Ziphethe-Makola Christine Kapkusum Belvas Otieno Amanda C. Nicholas Vickery Farid Fezoua Claudia Da Conceicao for making this a very productive week. #SuperReturn2024 #IFC

Had very impactful conversations last week at the #SuperReturn Africa 2024. I joined a fantastic line-up of creative economy leaders on the panel “Creating Impact through Creatives,” where we discussed the vast potential of creative industries to catalyze economic growth and support jobs in Africa, especially for youth and women. Our discussions re-echoed why investment in the creative sectors requires a more tailored strategy for maximum impact. For a nascent industry still grappling with an infrastructure gap, limited financing, and policy constraints, meeting the industry where it is at is critical. I emphasized that investments must primarily focus on addressing three pressing challenges that impede the growth of the sector: First, infrastructure is key. Africa requires between $130 billion and $170 billion annually to address its infrastructure needs. Strategic investments in key areas such as technology, production studios, and creative hubs can help lay the foundation for key sectors to thrive. Secondly, we must plug the financing gap. Broadening the funding net can open up new opportunities to those who need them the most. In 2023, only 3% of investments in African start-ups went to the entertainment sector. Customized funding models can reverse this imbalance and decades of inadequate funding in the sectors. Thirdly, policy matters. A smart policy environment fuels innovation. Creative sectors thrive in economies that incentivize creativity and prioritize intellectual property. This includes such deliberate efforts as fostering trade and investments, ensuring lower import tariffs on production equipment, and expanding tax incentives and rebates on production. Creative industries require several actors to succeed – financiers, specialized incubators, venture funds, and development institutions. We need all hands on deck to shape a prosperous Africa! #SRAfrica #CreativeIndustries Yacine Simporé, Kerawa Partners; Carisa Graf-Suleman, The Continent Venture Partners ⟨TCVP⟩; Helena Haba, 2X Global; Mabinty A. Koroma-Moore, Legacy Impact Venture Enterprises Africa (LIVE Africa)

Earlier this week at Convene Africa 2024, I had the pleasure to join an insightful panel on the status of the African private equity industry and the pivotal role women investors play in this space. Here are some of the key points I shared: 1️⃣ Private Equity's Critical Role: Private equity is essential to boost economic growth and job creation in emerging markets. Institutions like IFC are instrumental in supporting fund managers in nascent markets, brining global expertise and mobilizing capital from more investors. 2️⃣ IFC's Comprehensive Approach: IFC is invested in around 350 private equity and venture capital funds, with over 200 fund managers managing assets worth $5.5 billion. We also co-invest with funds to accelerate the growth of investee companies, supporting both traditional and digital entrepreneurship ecosystems. 3️⃣ Supporting Emerging Fund Managers: While experienced managers have a lower risk profile, emerging managers can be extremely impactful. Last year, IFC allocated about $230 million to fund investments in Africa, with 15% going to first-time managers through programs like #IFCSMEventures and #IFCStartupCatalyst. 4️⃣ Gender Balance in Investments: Only 11% of senior investment professionals in emerging markets are women and only about 15% of fund managers have gender-balanced senior teams. Gender balance is a priority for IFC, both in terms of investment teams and portfolio companies. As part of all our investments we work with our fund managers on gender-lens investing strategies and we prefer to see at least 30% women representation on investment teams and committees. We need to remain very intentional about setting clear objectives, measuring outcomes, and supporting the effort. Thank you to PEWIN - Private Equity Women Investor Network and 2X Global for organizing this insightful conversation. Let's continue to champion diversity and inclusion in the investment landscape! PEWIN - Private Equity Women Investor Network, 2X Global, AVCA - The African Private Capital Association, Southern African Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (SAVCA) IFC - International Finance Corporation, IFC Disruptive Tech, VC & Funds IFC Africa #ConveneAfrica2024 #PrivateEquity #PE #VC #EmergingMarkets #Investment #GenderLensInvesting Nicholas Vickery, Carlos Mayorga, Mohamed Eissa, Hoi Ying So, Shruti Chandrasekhar, Marième Diop, Amanda C., Laurien Field