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JUST ANNOUNCED 📣 IFC - International Finance Corporation is investing up to $3 million in i2i Ventures, #Pakistan’s first female-led venture capital fund. This includes $2 million from IFC and up to $1 million from the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi). The investment is part of IFC’s #StartupCatalyst Program, which supports early-stage startups in underserved markets like #Pakistan. The goal is to foster an inclusive startup ecosystem that creates jobs and boosts innovation and entrepreneurship. 📱💡🚀 Since 2019, i2i Ventures has been growing Pakistan's startup ecosystem by providing strategic, fundraising, and mentorship support, especially to women-led startups and those addressing key development challenges. 📲 Learn more about i2i here: http://wrld.bg/wE0X50SFbb2 📲 Learn more about IFC's Startup Catalyst here: https://lnkd.in/gF8vXPtR IFC Asia Pacific IFC Middle East #IFCfunds #VCfunds #VentureCapital #WomenEntrepreneurship #Startups, Kalsoom Lakhani, Misbah Naqvi

💪 #MondayMotivation: We are THRILLED to share that We-Fi and IFC - International Finance Corporation are investing up to $3 million in i2i Ventures, #Pakistan's first woman-led #VCfund. ♀️♀️ The investment is part of IFC’s #StartupCatalyst Program, which supports early-stage #startups in underserved markets to foster the development of #inclusive #startupecosystems that create jobs and boost #innovation and #entrepreneurship. Pakistan has many of the key elements for a thriving startup ecosystem—including a young population, growing tech adoption, and increasing entrepreneurial support—however regional and global challenges like political instability and economic volatility have hindered access to crucial funding. Led by Misbah Naqvi and Kalsoom Lakhani, i2i Ventures has been at the forefront of providing early-stage startups, particularly #WSMEs, with tailored support that goes well beyond financing. This includes mentorship and training programs, networking opportunities, and access to cutting-edge industry research and insights. #Venturecapital funds like i2i Ventures are vital to help close the gender #financinggap by investing in pre-seed and seed-stage startups and providing them with hands-on support. Learn more ⬇️ . . . Ailia Naeem Farwa Sajjad Vazir Fawzia Naqvi Zeeshan Sheikh Hanh Nam Nguyen Farid Fezoua #IFCFunds #WomenEntrepreneurs

In a significant boost to #Pakistan’s startup ecosystem, the IFC - International Finance Corporation has announced a $3 million #investment in i2i Ventures, the country’s first female-led venture capital fund. This investment includes $2 million from #IFC and up to $1 million from the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi). As part of #IFC’s Startup Catalyst Program, the funding aims to support early-stage startups in underserved markets like #Pakistan, fostering a more inclusive startup ecosystem. The program's #goal is to create jobs, boost innovation, and promote #entrepreneurship, particularly among women-led startups and those addressing critical development challenges. i2i Ventures, established in 2019 by venture capital veterans Kalsoom Lakhani and Misbah Naqvi, focuses on investing in pre-seed and seed-stage startups, providing not only financial backing but also hands-on support. The fund has already made a significant impact, with one of its portfolio companies, Oraan, reaching over 2 million Pakistani women with secure and user-friendly financial products and services. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dH-hhm3n IFC - International Finance Corporation, i2i Ventures, IFC Disruptive Tech, VC & Funds, Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), Ailia Naeem, Farwa Sajjad Vazir, Syed Asad Jafri, Fawzia Naqvi, Anissa Kanoun, Alisher Abdrakhmanov, Sahar Etezaz, Mohamed Eissa, Laurien Field, Zeeshan Sheikh, Abhi (YC S21), CreditBook, Metric, DealCart, Swag Kicks (Techstars '22, SOSV-Orbit ‘21), Oraan, Tazah Technologies #FintechNewsPakistan #i2iVentures #IFC #WeFi #firstfemaleledVCfund #Investments #VCFunding #VCs #VentureCapitals #Founders #Startups #Tech #Fintech #logistics #Innovations #Funding #WomenLedStartups #entrepreneurship #PakistaniStartups #FintechStartups #FintechNews #PakistanFintechNews #Pakistan

Safaricom Launches Start-Up Loans Through Venture Fund 💡 Safaricom has introduced start-up loans through its Safaricom Spark Venture Fund, a pioneering initiative designed to support tech entrepreneurs in Kenya. This fund, which initially launched in 2014, has committed $6 million to 12 startups, aiming to bolster innovation and growth in the tech sector. 🚀 The second phase of the fund will provide loans ranging from $150,000 to $500,000 to eligible startups. This financial support is intended to help startups scale their operations and enhance their market presence. Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa emphasized the company’s dedication to nurturing the local tech ecosystem and fostering sustainable business growth. 🌱 Startups interested in the venture fund can apply through the Safaricom website, where they will undergo a rigorous selection process to identify those with the highest potential for impact and profitability. This initiative aligns with Safaricom’s broader mission to drive economic development through digital innovation. 🌍 #TechInnovation #StartupFunding #Safaricom #VentureFund #KenyaTech #DigitalGrowth #EconomicDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #InnovationEcosystem 

💼 #NewFundAlert — Sawari Ventures has disclosed plans to launch a new fund to back Egyptian startups with a targeted investment of around $150 million USD. 🚀🇪🇬 CEO and co-founder Hany Al-Sonbaty announced this initiative, highlighting the company's strategic focus on key sectors such as fintech, education, healthcare, green technology, and deep tech projects within the Egyptian market. 👩🏫 Since its establishment in Egypt in 2010, Sawari Ventures has risen to prominence as a leading venture capital firm in the country, providing backing to more than 30 Egyptian companies, including Swvl, MoneyFellows, Instabug, Si-Ware Systems, and Elves. For more information, check out the news: 👇 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gxC5k-Aa #SawariVentures #EgyptianStartups #VentureCapital #TechInvestments #Fintech #EdTech #HealthTech #GreenTechnology #DeepTech #StartupFunding #Entrepreneurship #EgyptianEconomy #StartupSuccess #InvestmentOpportunities #InnovationHub #EmergingMarkets #MiddleEastStartups #BusinessDevelopment #TechInnovation #StartupEcosystem #FundAlert

The Innovative Startups and SMEs Fund (ISSF), Jordan's largest investment fund of its kind, announced a USD 5 million investment in Global Ventures’ Fund III. A leading venture capital firm focused on growth-stage investments across the Middle East and Africa, Global Ventures has been mandated by ISSF to invest in Jordanian startups. This strategic partnership highlights the ISSF's commitment to empowering the Jordanian ecosystem. MOHAMMED ALMUHTASEB, ISSFJO - Innovative Startups and SMEs Fund CEO, stated, "We are happy to welcome Global Ventures Fund III to our portfolio of funds. They have demonstrated deep belief in the Jordanian ecosystem, having invested in several Jordanian companies from previous funds. We believe that the investment thesis aligns with our vision for the Jordanian ecosystem. Together, we will focus on strategic verticals that solve for the challenges in our region and capitalize on Jordanian talent and skills to take advantage of the opportunities." In turn, Noor Sweid, Global Ventures’ Managing Partner added, “We are thrilled to extend our partnership with ISSF and welcome them into Global Ventures' Fund III. We are excited to support their mission of backing Jordanian entrepreneurs and startups. With hundreds of startups already active in the country and 98% of recently registered companies in Jordan being SMEs and startups, which generate more than 50% of private-sector GDP and 60% of new employment opportunities, we are eager to contribute to this dynamic landscape and witness the transformative impact these entrepreneurs will have on the global stage.” #Startup #SME #VC #InvestmentFund #ISSF #GlobalVentures #Jordan

African investors say they are stepping up to fill the region’s startup funding gap created by the reluctance of many US venture capital firms to return to the market over the last two years. https://lnkd.in/gszrzd49 #african #techinvestors #filling #fundinggap #region #startupfunding #gap #created #reluctance #unitedstates #venturecapital #firms #return #market #vcfunding #capitalraising #funding #startups

While the global VC market shrank in 2023, causing a 43% drop in foreign funding in Africa, P1 Ventures went against the trend with a $35 million capital infusion. This investment supports Africa's most innovative startups, including super app Yassir in Algeria, savings app MoneyFellows in Egypt, and employee healthcare platform Reliance Health in Nigeria. Learn more about these recent investments and their impact on Africa's tech ecosystem in our latest blog #AfricanTech #VCFunding #Startups #Innovation #EgyptInnovate

#JustIn! 📣 IFC - International Finance Corporation is investing up to $3 million in i2i Ventures, Pakistan’s first female-led venture capital fund. This includes $2 million from IFC and up to $1 million from the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi). The investment is part of IFC’s Startup Catalyst Program, which supports early-stage startups in underserved markets like #Pakistan. The goal is to foster an inclusive startup ecosystem that creates jobs and boosts innovation and entrepreneurship. 📱💡🚀 Since 2019, i2i Ventures has been growing Pakistan's startup ecosystem by providing strategic, fundraising, and mentorship support, especially to women-led startups and those addressing key development challenges. To learn more, check out this story: http://wrld.bg/wE0X50SFbb2 IFC Disruptive Tech, VC & Funds