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‘One size fits all’ investing is limiting innovations in East Africa and India
The reality is different. Despite all of the hype, most startups in India and East Africa are failing to attract the investment capital they need to grow and scale. For example, although startup investment in East Africa is at an all-time high, in the past two years 72 percent of venture capital went to only three startups. The vast majority of startups in these regions are not being given a fair shot.
- Categories
- Investing
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Wider, deeper VC investment needed for Indian and African mobile money firms, says Gates Foundation report
In excess of 233 million and 60 million people in India and East Africa respectively still lack formal bank accounts and 50% of small businesses don't have access to formal credit.
Financial technology (fintech) enabled firms such as M-Pesa in Kenya, which provides mobile payment, saving and credit facilities to 30 million people in East Africa, and the Paytm giant mobile m-commerce operation in India that claims 200 million users, are still the exception in terms of providing access to financial services for poor people.- Categories
- Uncategorized
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Unitus Seed Fund hires Milind Shah as healthcare venture partner
Early-stage impact-focused venture fund Unitus Seed Fund has roped in Milind Shah, the India managing director of global healthcare company Medtronic as its healthcare venture partner.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- South Asia
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Venture Capital’s Funding Gender Gap Is Actually Getting Worse
It's a well-documented fact that female founders receive less venture capital funding than their male counterparts. What is perhaps more surprising is that things haven't improved—and have actually worsened—over the past year.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- North America
- Tags
- venture capital
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Impact investor Ankur Capital to launch $50 million fund next year
Mumbai-based impact investor focused on innovative businesses in agriculture, healthcare, education, skill development and rural access – is positioning for the next leg of growth.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Investing
- Region
- South Asia
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Dymon Asia announces first close of $50M fund for fintech, focused on Southeast Asia
Hedge fund Dymon Asia is getting into the venture capital game after it announced its maiden fund. Dymon Asia Ventures is focused on fintech deals and it is targeting a $50 million raise. Today, its founding partners disclosed a first close of $20 million from a range of LPs that include Thai bank Siam Commercial (SCB), which invested an undisclosed sum via its Digital Ventures arm.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Investing
- Region
- Asia Pacific
- Tags
- fintech, venture capital
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UBS Raises $110 Million Fund to Invest in Woman-Led Firms
UBS Group AG’s American wealth management unit has helped raise $110 million for a U.S. venture capital fund that will invest in companies in the health, education and environmental areas that are led by or co-managed by women.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Investing
- Region
- North America
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Jay Z Launching Venture Capital Fund to Invest in Startups, Including Impact Investments
Jay Z is launching a new venture capital fund, as Rolling Stone points out. It’s called Arrive, and it is a collaboration between Jay’s Roc Nation, Primary Venture Partners, and GlassBridge Asset Management. According to a press release, Arrive will invest in startup companies, “providing them with brand services, business development, advisory and capital to drive growth in their organizations.”
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Investing
- Region
- North America
- Tags
- venture capital
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