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The Venture Codex

Catalyst Fund

Riverside Green Suites, Acacia Suite, Fl 2, Nairobi, Kenya

Overview

Catalyst Fund is an inclusive FinTech accelerator that supports early-stage startups building innovative FinTech solutions for the 3 billion underserved in emerging markets. The company works with innovators in emerging markets who are building affordable, accessible, and appropriate solutions for underserved communities, and accelerate the local innovation ecosystems around them. Catalyst Fund is supported by The UK Department for International Development (DFID) and JPMorgan Chase & Co., managed by BFA Global and fiscally sponsored by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

Total investments
9
Lead investments
1
Investments · 12mo
4
Active investors
11

Sector focus

  • Emerging Markets
  • Finance
  • Financial Services
  • FinTech
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Investment portfolio

  • Biochar Industrial Group

    Participated · Seed · Aug 2026

    Biochar Industrial Group (BIG) is described in coverage as a Nigerian climate tech startup. The company recently completed a $1.5M pre-seed financing backed by Catalyst Fund, BREEGA and Mulago Foundation. The announced financing is the only funding event reported in the articles. The reporting does not provide details on the company’s products, operating metrics, revenue, or specific plans for the new capital. No founding year or additional location details were provided in the articles. There are no disclosed financial metrics or user figures in the coverage.

  • Enakl

    Participated · Seed · Jan 2026

    Founded in 2022 by Samir Bennani and Charles Pommarède, Enakl builds and runs intelligent shared mobility services that combine software and fleet operations to create dynamic, demand-responsive transport networks. Its proprietary platform allows companies, public bodies and commuters to plan, deploy and manage pooled routes in real time, aiming to reduce congestion and carbon emissions while widening job accessibility. After 18 months of R&D, the system is now live and reportedly "widely adopted," and in 2025 the company secured a pilot public contract with the Casablanca–Settat Region, validating its model. The firm is now preparing to launch a SaaS version of its technology, expand commercial teams and test new ride-pooling fleet formats. Proceeds from its recent seed financing will accelerate these initiatives and support broader rollout across Morocco and beyond. No revenue or user figures were disclosed, but investors cite the first public-sector win and rapid product deployment as evidence of traction.

  • Farm to Feed

    Participated · Seed · Nov 2025

    Founded in 2021, Farm to Feed runs a business-to-business digital marketplace that aggregates surplus or cosmetically imperfect fruits and vegetables and matches them with commercial buyers. The platform streamlines logistics, manages orders, and facilitates seamless customer interactions, helping reduce post-harvest losses that can reach 40 % of produce in Kenya. By redirecting would-be waste, the company increases farmer earnings, lowers food system emissions, and supplies sustainably sourced produce to buyers. Farm to Feed has registered 6,500 farmers, sold over 2.1 million kilograms of produce, and averted 247 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions while recording 100 % year-on-year growth. With the new capital, the startup plans to deepen its presence in Kenya, enter neighboring African markets, upgrade its digital infrastructure, and launch a semi-processed product line to capture higher-value markets. The firm positions itself as a climate-resilient supply-chain enabler for Sub-Saharan Africa’s food system.

  • MazaoHub

    Led · Seed · Sep 2025

    Founded in 2023, MazaoHub integrates artificial intelligence with soil sensors, portable soil testing kits, and farm-management software to enhance crop productivity and climate resilience for smallholder farmers. Its hybrid “Tech and Touch” model is reinforced by local agronomists who provide field-level support. The company also operates CropSupply.com, a marketplace that links farmers to buyers with end-to-end traceability. Planned Farmer Excellence Centers will further disseminate best practices and training. With the new capital, MazaoHub aims to scale manufacturing of its soil kits and sensors, expand its agronomist network, and grow the CropSupply.com platform across additional African markets. These initiatives target reductions in fertilizer usage and greenhouse-gas emissions while improving farmer incomes. No revenue or user metrics were disclosed in the article.

  • The Awareness Company

    Participated · Seed · Jan 2025

    The Awareness Company builds HYDRA, a SaaS platform that leverages AI, IoT and data analytics to convert business data into actionable insights. Its solutions target sectors including agriculture, conservation, safety and smart infrastructure. The company plans to use new funding to boost marketing and sales and to enhance HYDRA's AI capabilities. The Awareness Company was founded in 2018 and operates from South Africa. The recent financing improves its runway to accelerate product development and go-to-market efforts. The company positions itself on situational awareness and data-driven operational and sustainability improvements.

Team