Catalyst Fund

We're still on the lookout 👀 Are you building a startup in any of these areas 👇? We want to support and accelerate your work! 💧 WaterTech & Water Intelligence Solutions 🌿 Financing for Regenerative Agriculture 🌳 Precision Reforestation ♻ Alternative Materials (plastic-free solutions) 🌊 Coastal Resilience Technologies We're actively scouting for pre-seed startups tackling these challenges. If you're an innovator driving climate impact—or know someone who is—connect with us today! 🚀 👉 https://lnkd.in/dimnxSAt Maelis Carraro, Maxime Bayen, Rasima Swarup, Sydney Thiam, Javier Linares, Ngetha Mwangi, Valiullah Hashmi, Maureen K., Charles I. Nweke, Olúwatóyìn Emmanuel-Olubake, Yemi A., Thabiso Foto

We’re glad to have partnered with 60 Decibels to understand how Tolbi's AI and satellite-based precision agriculture insights are transforming the lives of farmers across West Africa. Through direct conversations with farmers, 60 Decibels team uncovered critical insights about their practices, challenges and resilience. Here are some key takeaways: 👉87% of farmers report improved farming practices thanks to Tolbi's automated voice messages, especially around fertilizer use and correct sowing times 👉 92% of farmers find the messages easy to understand, and 82% are able to apply most or all of the advice on their farms 👉 93% of respondents strongly agree that their children regularly attend school—highlighting improved household stability and well-being Tolbi is proving how simple, accessible tech can power climate-smart agriculture and support smallholder farmers with timely, actionable guidance. Learn more about their work: https://lnkd.in/dbt3XgnT Visit Tolbi's website: https://tolbi.ai/ Maxime Bayen, Rasima Swarup, Sydney Thiam, Javier Linares, Ngetha Mwangi, Valiullah Hashmi, Maureen K., Charles I. Nweke, Olúwatóyìn Emmanuel-Olubake, Yemi A., Thabiso Foto, Mouhamadou Lamine KEBE

🚀 Voices from the Field 🚀 Our Managing Partner, Maelis Carraro, has been featured in Heading for Change’s ‘Voices from the Field’ series! In this insightful conversation, Maelis highlights the critical role of integrating a climate and gender lens in investment strategies. Women are not only disproportionately affected by climate change but also key drivers of innovative and scalable solutions. Yet, they remain significantly underfunded. Maelis shares how Catalyst Fund is addressing this gap by investing in both women-led startups and in startups whose models reach many women—including: ✅ Agro Supply (Uganda) – Helping smallholder farmers, many of whom are women, access drought-resistant seeds through a savings-based model ✅ Bekia inc (Egypt) – Monetizing waste collection while integrating women into the workforce and the circular economy ✅ Farm to Feed (Kenya) – Led by three women co-founders, supporting women farmers, reducing food waste, and lowering CO₂ emissions. Read the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/esJvzwbs Maxime Bayen, Rasima Swarup, Sydney Thiam, Javier Linares, Ngetha Mwangi, Valiullah Hashmi, Maureen K., Charles I. Nweke, Olúwatóyìn Emmanuel-Olubake, Yemi A., Thabiso Foto

Are you attending the Skoll World Forum this week? 🧐 Catalyst Fund's Thabiso Foto and Yemi A. will be there! If you want to talk about entrepreneurship in Africa, climate tech investing, and venture building, feel free to reach out and catch up with them in Oxford. Maelis Carraro, Maxime Bayen, Rasima Swarup, Sydney Thiam, Javier Linares, Ngetha Mwangi, Valiullah Hashmi, Maureen K., Charles I. Nweke, Olúwatóyìn Emmanuel-Olubake

Happening today in Oxford! 🚀 Our CFO, Thabiso Foto, is co-leading the session on Scaling Climate Finance for Local Impact: Investing in People, Nature, and Resilience from 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM GMT+1. Thabiso will be joined by Adora Li, Alison Filler, Basilia Shivute, Juliana Strobel, Natalie Klatt, and Nonsi Nkomo to explore how to redirect climate finance to the communities that need it most—from smallholder farmers to Indigenous-led conservation efforts. Don't miss the conversation! Register here: https://lu.ma/shuebtno Maelis Carraro, Maxime Bayen, Rasima Swarup, Sydney Thiam, Javier Linares, Ngetha Mwangi, Valiullah Hashmi, Maureen K., Charles I. Nweke, Olúwatóyìn Emmanuel-Olubake, Yemi A.

🎉 Congratulations to our portfolio company, ENAKL, for being listed as one of the top 20 most promising startups in Africa by Francophone media Jeune Afrique. This recognition, based on nominations from leading VC funds, highlights ENAKL's innovation and impact in the sustainable mobility space. ENAKL is transforming urban transit in Morocco with tech-enabled, shared transportation solutions that reduce congestion, cut emissions, and improve access—especially for women, who make up 60% of its users. The company uses data to optimize routes, setting a new standard for efficient, eco-friendly mobility in African cities. Learn more about their work and other innovative solutions shaping Africa’s future: https://lnkd.in/dhvT3fn7 We are proud to have invested in ENAKL to support their mission of building a more inclusive, sustainable, and efficient urban transport system. More on why we invested—link in comments! Maelis Carraro, Maxime Bayen, Rasima Swarup, Sydney Thiam, Javier Linares, Ngetha Mwangi, Valiullah Hashmi, Maureen K., Charles I. Nweke

Exciting news from The Star: Catalyst Fund Secures USD 260K to Boost #Climate Startup in #Kenya: https://bit.ly/4j2yspF Village Capital #startups #ClimateInnovation #SustainableBusiness #RenewableEnergy #BlueEconomy #ClimateAction #FoodSecurity

How do accelerators and funds support founders on their journey to venture capital? Join our Managing Partner, Maelis Carraro, today from 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM GMT+3 for a fireside chat on what investors look for, how founders can navigate fundraising, and the role of accelerators in startup success. She’ll be joined by Sneha Mehta, CFA (Co-founder, Uncover), who will share her experience moving from early grants and incubators to securing venture capital. Sign up to attend: https://lu.ma/faxci6ti Maxime Bayen, Rasima Swarup, Sydney Thiam, Javier Linares, Ngetha Mwangi, Valiullah Hashmi, Maureen K., Charles I. Nweke, Olúwatóyìn Emmanuel-Olubake, Yemi A., Thabiso Foto

We're glad to have been featured by The Star, Kenya, for our work in accelerating climate-focused startups in Kenya! 🚀https://lnkd.in/dzeK6v3h With support from Norway through Norad - Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, Catalyst Fund recently secured USD 260K under the 2025 Empowering Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Africa (ESEA) program, led by Village Capital, to support early-stage startups tackling Climate Adaptation, Renewable Energy, Blue Economy, and Food Security. As part of this initiative, Catalyst Fund is working alongside Ennovate Ventures (Tanzania), Emerge Livelihoods (Malawi), ideiaLab (Mozambique), and Reach for Change (Ghana) to build a strong pipeline of climate-focused startups across Africa. If you're an early-stage startup in Kenya developing a scalable climate solution, apply now to join our program and receive: ✅ Pre-acceleration support ✅ Tailored mentorship ✅ USD 25K grant funding for top-performing startups Deadline: April 30, 2025 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/dAENZ9bm Maelis Carraro, Maxime Bayen, Rasima Swarup, Sydney Thiam, Javier Linares, Ngetha Mwangi, Valiullah Hashmi, Maureen K., Charles I. Nweke, Olúwatóyìn Emmanuel-Olubake, Yemi A., Thabiso Foto

Water insecurity is a growing crisis. 5.52 billion people worldwide lack reliable access to water, including 1.34 billion in Africa, accounting for over 90% of the continent's population. This #WorldWaterDay, we spotlight Catalyst Fund portfolio startups that are innovating for water security through precision irrigation, solar-powered desalination, and regenerative agriculture. Swipe through to see how NoorNation, Sand to Green, and Tolbi are driving impact! #WaterInnovation #ClimateResilience Wissal Ben Moussa, Benjamin Rombaut, Gautier de Carcouët, Ragy Ramadan, REP®, Mohamed M. Khaled, Mouhamadou Lamine KEBE, Maelis Carraro, Maxime Bayen, Rasima Swarup, Sydney Thiam, Javier Linares, Ngetha Mwangi, Valiullah Hashmi, Maureen Koech, Charles I. Nweke, Olúwatóyìn Emmanuel-Olubake, Yemi A., Thabiso Foto