Access to early-stage capital and expertise plays a key role in building tech ecosystems that drive entrepreneurship, boost innovation, and create jobs.
Emerging startups have the potential to innovate critical sectors in emerging markets by developing and scaling new technologies and tech-enabled business models that can solve pressing challenges, such as those linked to climate change, access to finance, healthcare, and education. Despite their potential, early-stage entrepreneurs in nascent venture ecosystems face significant challenges in accessing the capital and expertise they need to launch and grow their businesses.
To help close this gap, in 2016 IFC launched Startup Catalyst - a platform designed to invest in accelerators and seed funds supporting innovative early-stage startups through mentoring, networking, and funding. The program allows IFC to make relatively small investments, usually $4-6 million, in accelerators and seed funds focused on markets with nascent VC ecosystems. By channeling capital and expertise to early-stage startups, the program generates an investment pipeline for IFC and other investors, both through VC funds investing in Series A+ and for direct investment by IFC, typically from Series B onwards.
In addition to providing investment capital, Startup Catalyst enhances the capabilities of investee funds through Catalyst Booster. This initiative is dedicated to fostering the development and adoption of global best practices in venture capital investing and fund management. Furthermore, it aims to build robust global networks by connecting emerging fund managers with other venture capitalists and investors in VC funds, thereby strengthening their position in the global market.
Interested in getting funding for your seed fund, accelerator, or incubator? Contact us.
Results (as of March 15, 2025)
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26 seed funds and accelerators supported
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$830 million raised by IFC startup catalyst's investees
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768 Startups in 55 emerging markets received funding
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26 successful exits facilitated
Stories of Impact
Startup Catalyst by Region
IFC invested in Antler East Africa (“Antler EA”) in 2022. Antler EA is a Kenya-based venture builder that invests primarily in pre-seed opportunities across East Africa.
IFC invested in DisrupTech Fund I (“Disruptech”) in 2022. DisrupTech is an Egypt-based seed fund that invests in fintech and fintech-enabled startups in Egypt.
IFC invested in Flat6Labs Accelerator for IT and Project Management SAE (“FAC Seed Fund”, previously “Flat6Labs Cairo”) in 2017. FAC Seed Fund is a Cairo-based accelerator and seed fund that invests in seed and early-stage startups in Egypt.
IFC Invested in Flat6Labs Anava Seed Fund (previously, “Flat6Labs Tunis”) in 2020. Flat6Labs Tunis is a Tunis-based startup accelerator and venture capital fund that invests in early-stage companies in Tunisia.
IFC invested in Janngo Capital Startup Fund (“Janngo Capital”) in 2024. Janngo Capital is a Paris-based multi-stage venture capital fund that invests in tech and tech-enabled startups across West and North Africa.
IFC invested in Pamoja Ventures, LP (“P1 Ventures”) in 2024. P1 Ventures is a Nigeria-based early-stage venture capital fund with a pan-Africa mandate, that invests in artificial intelligence, machine learning, e-commerce, fintech, healthtech, insurtech, and SaaS sectors.
IFC invested in Savannah Fund Technology Fund II, LP (“Savannah Fund”) in 2021. Savannah Fund is a Kenya-based venture capital fund that invests in early-stage technology companies across Eastern and Southern Africa.
IFC invested in Ventures Platform Fund IV (“Ventures Platform”) in 2022. Ventures Platform is a Lagos-based seed fund that invests in tech and tech-enabled startups across Africa, with emphasis on Nigeria.
IFC invested in 500 Emerging Europe Fund II (formerly “500 Istanbul”) in 2022. 500 Emerging Europe is a Türkiye-based seed fund that invests in early-stage technology companies in Türkiye and across Eastern Europe.
IFC invested in Sturgeon Emerging Opportunities II LP, L.P (“Sturgeon Capital”) in 2024. Sturgeon Capital is a London-headquartered fund that invests in early-stage technology companies in Central Asia and Bangladesh.
IFC invested in AVV Alpha, L.P., (“AVV” or “Ascend Vietnam Ventures”) in 2022. AVV is a Ho Chi Minh City-based fund that invests in idea to pre-product market fit, technology-driven opportunities in Viet Nam.
IFC invested in SeedPlus Singapore L.P. (“SeedPlus”) in 2017. SeedPlus is a Singapore-based accelerator and seed fund that invests primarily in early-stage companies in the ICT sector, across Southeast Asia and India.
IFC invested in 500 Georgia LLC (previously “500 Georgia”, now rebranded as “500 Eurasia”) in 2024. 500 Eurasia is a Georgia-based a fund that invests in companies from the 500 Eurasia accelerator program and tech startups that have direct or indirect operations in countries across Europe and Asia.
IFC invested in 500 LatAm (previously “500 Mexico”) in 2017. 500 LatAm is a Mexico-based accelerator and seed fund that invests in startups across Latin American countries.
IFC invested in Carao Ventures Fund I (“Carao Ventures”) in 2021. Carao Ventures is a Costa Rica-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage startups in Latin America with emphasis on Central America, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, Ecuador, and Perú.
IFC invested in EWA Ventures Fund II (“EWA”) in 2023. EWA is a Colombia-based early-stage fund that invests in companies in Latin America with emphasis on Colombia.
IFC invested in Certo S.A. (“NXTP labs”) in 2017. NXTP Labs is an Argentina-based accelerator and early-stage seed fund that invests in high growth tech-enabled companies across Latin America.
Flat6Labs Mashreq (“Flat6Labs Jordan Seed Fund LP”) is an Amman-based startup accelerator and venture capital fund that invests in early-stage, tech-enabled companies in Jordan, West Bank and Gaza, Lebanon and Iraq.
IFC invested in Ibtikar Fund L.P. (“Ibtikar”) in 2017. Ibtikar is an early-stage venture capital fund that invests in pre-seed and seed-stage Palestinian startups.
IFC invested in Ibtikar Fund II, L.P. (“Ibtikar Fund II”) in 2022. Ibtikar Fund II is an early-stage venture capital fund that invests in pre-seed and seed stage Palestinian startups.
IFC invested in Sarmayacar Ventures Coopreatif U.A.(“Sarmayacar”) in 2019. Sarmayacar is a Lahore-based early-stage venture capital fund that invests in tech-based companies in Pakistan.
IFC Invested in Pi Ventures Fund 1 (“Pi Ventures”) in 2018. Pi Ventures is a Mumbai-based early-stage fund that invests in deep tech companies in India.
IFC invested in Seedstars International Ventures II (“Seedstars”) in 2022. Seedstars is a Geneva-headquartered accelerator and seed fund that invests across emerging markets, globally.
IFC invested in SOSV III, L.P. (“SOSV”) in 2017. SOSV is a Princeton, New Jersey-headquartered global startup accelerator that invests in early-stage companies through its accelerator network in Asia, the U.S., and Europe.
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Last updated: February 2025