Catalyst Fund

Congratulations, team Earthbond 🇳🇬 🚀 🎉 , on being named a finalist in the MIT Solve Climate Challenge!   The MIT Solve Climate Challenge seeks exceptional solutions that leverage technology to address the causes and impacts of the climate crisis. Technology and innovation have an essential role in contending with climate change's effects. Technology exists to replace or mitigate all major areas of current emissions but often has minimal adoption due to high costs, a lack of engagement with communities, and the need for design at scale. This is where Initiatives like MIT Solve step in 🙌. Earthbond will pitch at the Boston Final with 13 other selected startups globally. We wish them all the best! Chidalu Onyenso, Maelis Carraro, Maxime Bayen, Rasima Swarup, Javier Linares, Ngetha Mwangi, Gabriel Abagalana, Valiullah Hashmi, Sydney Thiam, Maureen K., Charles I. Nweke

📸 Photo highlights of Ngetha Mwangi speaking at the Africa Climate Tech Summit, day one, in a panel discussing "The Future Farming: Integrating Climate-Resilient Crops with Smart Technology." 🎊 🙌. Join him today as he represents The Catalyst Fund in a reverse pitch competition. Link to register:https://lnkd.in/dW8nkgP8 This two-day summit will feature 20+ of Africa’s top startups who are making inroads in the continent’s Climate Tech and Green Economy sectors showcasing their highly scalable ventures to 100+ investors and 30+ speakers, moderators and panellists who are among the brightest minds in tech, business, finance, venture capital, private equity, media and policy in Africa and the world 🌍. #AfricArenaSummit AfricArena Maelis Carraro Maxime Bayen

💡📚The #AgTech scene in sub-Saharan Africa demonstrates significant potential to capitalize on digitization and innovation to facilitate the provision of financial services for historically underserved consumer segments. This is especially important for the agriculture sector which is plagued by considerable financing gaps. This report by The IFC - International Finance Corporation explores how #agtechs can be a conduit for increased financing throughout seven markets in sub-Saharan Africa. Link to download the report 👉: https://lnkd.in/d2DKW6M5 Maelis Carraro, Maxime Bayen, Rasima Swarup, Javier Linares, Ngetha Mwangi, Gabriel Abagalana, Valiullah Hashmi, Sydney Thiam, Maureen K., Charles I. Nweke

The countdown to the Africa Climate Tech Summit taking place in Nairobi, Kenya from 3 - 4 September 2024 is on 🚀 🕰! Our very own, Ngetha Mwangi will be speaking tomorrow at Shamba Events in Loresho Ridge, Nairobi. Don't miss out as he engages other speakers in a panel discussing "The Future Farming: Integrating Climate-Resilient Crops with Smart Technology." This two-day summit will feature 20+ of Africa’s top startups who are making inroads in the continent’s Climate Tech and Green Economy sectors showcasing their highly scalable ventures to 100+ investors and 30+ speakers, moderators and panellists who are among the brightest minds in tech, business, finance, venture capital, private equity, media and policy in Africa and the world 🌍. Link to register: https://lnkd.in/dW8nkgP8 #AfricArenaSummit #TheFutureOfFarming #AgTech cc: AfricArena Maelis Carraro Maxime Bayen

“We’re not going go far enough with just the public funding...We need the private sector and the public sector to work together to unlock more financing. And in particular, looking beyond just a few industries where the innovation is writ large.” ~Maelis Carraro, Managing Partner, Catalyst Fund, quoted in this piece by The Associated Press: https://lnkd.in/gFxg6KCY In the face of climate impacts, every sector of the economy will need to adapt. At The Catalyst Fund, we want to make sure climate solutions are accessible to all. We focus on backing game-changing entrepreneurs building tech and tech-enabled ventures offering affordable, accessible, and appropriate solutions for climate-vulnerable communities across key economic sectors. We grow them to become commercial and scalable companies. Read more about our investment thesis in the comment section👇 #ClimateAction #SustainableInvesting #ClimateResilience Carlos Mureithi, Maxime Bayen, Rasima Swarup, Javier Linares, Ngetha Mwangi, Gabriel Abagalana, Valiullah Hashmi, Sydney Thiam, Maureen K., Charles I. Nweke

🆕 🔊 Are you attending the AFS Forum 2024 in Kigali, Rwanda next week? Geophrey Tenganamba will be representing MazaoHub at the #AfricaFoodSystemsForum2024 from the 2nd to 6th of September. Join him as he engages different stakeholders in Africa, in line with this year's theme of spotlighting the agenda on food systems and showcasing innovative approaches, solutions, and business models that can transform agriculture and ensure food and nutrition security in #Africa. He's open to connecting and engaging stakeholders. Reach him on LinkedIn: Geophrey Tenganamba to schedule a cup of coffee! #SustainableAgriculture #FoodSystems #InnovationInAgriculture Maelis Carraro, Maxime Bayen, Rasima Swarup, Javier Linares, Ngetha Mwangi, Gabriel Abagalana, Valiullah Hashmi, Sydney Thiam, Maureen K., Charles I. Nweke

IYMI: Why we invested 📈 🚀 Of all the energy used in the global food system, 38% is spent on food that is eventually lost or wasted. On the African continent, most of this food waste rots in landfills, emitting potent methane gas. Meanwhile, growing demand for animal protein drives an unsustainable expansion of crops like soy for animal feed, leading to deforestation, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions. BioBuu's innovative model tackles these interconnected challenges of food, waste and climate change. The Tanzanian startup upcycles organic waste from municipalities and factories into nutritious, cost-effective animal feeds and organic fertilizer using black soldier fly larvae and windrow composting. Here's why we invested: https://lnkd.in/d8i6mBjT Kigen Compton, Matthew Haden, Maelis Carraro, Maxime Bayen, Rasima Swarup, Javier Linares, Ngetha Mwangi, Gabriel Abagalana, Valiullah Hashmi, Sydney Thiam, Maureen K., Charles I. Nweke

Since the Catalyst Fund started investing in climate resilience solutions across the continent, we are often asked two questions: Why are you investing in this sector, what is the business case? and what climate resilience and adaptation solutions are you investing in? 🤔 In a world facing the looming threat of climate change, Africa is emerging as a powerhouse of climate tech innovation 🌍. The continent possesses a unique set of natural assets that help to position African climate innovators as leaders in building solutions ✨ Here's why we do what we do: https://lnkd.in/dEBAgbTa Maelis Carraro, Maxime Bayen, Rasima Swarup, Javier Linares, Ngetha Mwangi, Gabriel Abagalana, Valiullah Hashmi, Sydney Thiam, Maureen K., Charles I. Nweke

📚 💡 10 Startups To Watch In Cairo, Egypt: https://lnkd.in/dEHrqZkE #goodread by TechRound featuring Bekia inc 👏 To read more on why we decided to partner with Bekia, check out the link in the first comment 👇 #whyweinvested #recycling Alaa Afifi, Maelis Carraro, Maxime Bayen, Rasima Swarup, Javier Linares, Ngetha Mwangi, Gabriel Abagalana, Valiullah Hashmi, Sydney Thiam, Maureen K., Charles I. Nweke

Congratulations to the entire NoorNation team for securing this new investment 🎉 🎊 ! Onwards and upwards 🙌 We're proud to have partnered with NoorNation: https://lnkd.in/d7BB2emH Ragy Ramadan, REP®, Maxime Bayen, Maelis Carraro, Javier Linares