Catalyst Fund

Are you an early-stage startup in Kenya tackling climate challenges through innovative, market-driven solutions? 🤔 We’re hosting an info session on April 28th at 3 PM EAT to share more about the Empowering Sustainable Entrepreneurship in Africa (ESEA) 2025 program—designed to support startups building scalable solutions in: 🌊 Blue economy ⚡ Renewable energy 🌾 Food security 🌱 Climate adaptation During the session, you’ll learn more about: - The ESEA 2025 program and its goals - The four focus areas and why they matter - The type of startups we’re looking for - Eligibility criteria and application tips - Key benefits for selected startups—including funding, mentorship, and global exposure With the call for applications closing soon, this is a perfect chance to get your questions answered and assess your fit for the program. 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/dPEQPdZM We look forward to seeing many of you there! 🚀Feel free to share with a founder in your network who might be a great fit! Village Capital, Norad - Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, 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

ICYMI: Why we invested 🚀 Up to 38% of energy in the global food system goes into food that's never eaten. In Africa, most of this waste ends up in landfills, releasing methane—a greenhouse gas 80x more potent than CO₂. Meanwhile, rising demand for animal protein is driving unsustainable soy farming, contributing to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and higher emissions. BioBuu is tackling this challenge by upcycling organic waste into sustainable animal feed using black soldier fly larvae, and producing organic fertilizer through windrow composting. In 2023 alone, BioBuu processed over 6,500 tons of waste, produced 250 tons of feed and compost and became the only black soldier fly facility in the region with registered carbon offset sites. Their decentralized model not only cuts emissions but also creates green jobs and empowers local communities through micro-factories. We're proud to back BioBuu as they scale across Africa, expand their circular model, and deepen their climate impact. Learn why we invested (link in comments) Kigen Compton, Matthew Haden, 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

For years, Tanzania has had a huge gap when it came to attracting investors —while our neighbors like Kenya 🇰🇪 often leading the way. In the first half of 2024, Tanzania recorded 409 investment projects totaling $3.09📊billion, a substantial increase compared to the same period in 2023. This proves that the narrative is changing. And it’s changing fast.📈 Thanks to your visionary leadership, Hon Samia Suluhu Hassan ,more and more investors are exploring opportunities in Tanzania and actually coming to see them firsthand. It’s a new season of #confidence, #growth, and global #interest in our beloved country. Just recently, MazaoHub had the honor of hosting a group of investor From Catalyst Fund, CGIAR Hub for Sustainable Finance (ImpactSF) and others from I&P Investment, who came to learn more on how we provide our agronomy services to smallholder farmers. We took the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) as we traveled to visit and experience our Farmer Excellence Centers located in different regions in 🇹🇿 . Not only were they impressed by the facility and the #innovative work happening, but they were also blown away by the breathtaking beauty of our country. It’s a proud moment. One that reminds us of how far we've come and how much is now possible. Mama, we see your efforts. We feel the impact. And we thank you. Mitano tena! ✋🏽 #TanzaniaRising #MamaSamiaSuluhu #SGR #Agriculture #Investment #MazaoHub #HerFarmHerStory

Once again, we partnered with 60 Decibels to understand how our portfolio company, Zebra CropBank's services, are transforming the lives of smallholder farmers across West Africa. Through phone interviews with 188 farmers, the 60 Decibels team uncovered critical findings about farmers' challenges and the impact Zebra has in their lives. Here are some key takeaways: ✅ 99% of farmers accessed Zebra CropBank for the first time, placing it in the top 20% of the 60dB West Africa Agriculture Benchmark for First Access ✅ 56% of farmers report their income has ‘very much increased’, and over half say their quality of life has ‘very much improved’ since working with Zebra CropBank ✅ Zebra CropBank achieved a Net Promoter Score of 70, with only 8% of farmers reporting challenges again, placing it in the top 20% of the benchmark for customer satisfaction We invested in Zebra CropBank to support its next phase of growth, focused on scaling its value chain approach to deliver long-term impact. Learn more about their work (link in comments) Congratulations to the Zebra CropBank team for their incredible work advancing agriculture across the region! Buffy Okeke-Ojiudu, Maxime Bayen, Rasima Swarup, Sydney Thiam, Javier Linares, Ngetha Mwangi, Valiullah Hashmi, Maureen K., Charles I. Nweke, Olúwatóyìn Emmanuel-Olubake, Yemi A., Thabiso Foto

Our portfolio company, Octavia Carbon, is featured in Legion 44, the world's first major documentary on carbon removal - and it's premiering in Kenya! 🎬 Catch the Nairobi Premiere 📅 April 14th | 🕖 7PM | 📍 Cinemax Sarit Center Hosted by Carbon Removal Kenya (CRK), this powerful film showcases the people, tech, and innovation shaping the future of our planet – with Kenya taking center stage 🇰🇪. It delivers stunning visuals, shares inspiring stories, and takes you behind the scenes of efforts to permanently remove carbon from the atmosphere. Entry is FREE – but seats are limited. 👉 Secure your spot here: https://lnkd.in/etprpTzc Martin Freimüller, Maelis Carraro, Maxime Bayen, Rasima Swarup, Sydney Thiam, Javier Linares, Ngetha Mwangi, Valiullah Hashmi, Maureen K., Charles I. Nweke

📢 The Catalytic Climate Finance Facility (CC Facility) is now accepting applications for its first class in 2025! This cycle will target: 🌾 🚜 Sustainable agriculture solutions in Sub-Saharan Africa and/or South Asia. ☘️ 🌍 Other climate adaptation and mitigation solutions targeting Asia-Pacific. Learn more and apply: ccfacility.org/apply Join their webinar happening today for insights on how you can apply! Register: https://bit.ly/4ilUV13  Shriju Dhakal, 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 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