This publication is CPI’s analysis of the Catalyst Climate Resilience Fund, an innovative climate finance instrument endorsed by The Global Innovation Lab for Climate Finance  (the Lab). CPI serves as the Lab’s Secretariat. Each instrument endorsed by the Lab is rigorously analyzed by our research teams. High-level findings of this research are published on each instrument, so that others may leverage this analysis to further their own climate finance innovation.

The Catalyst Climate Resilience Fund (CCRF) is the leading impact fund and accelerator supporting pre-seed tech startups that are building a climate resilient future in Africa.

ABOUT

Although Africa has contributed the least to global affordable for vulnerable populations. emissions, climate change impacts will hit the continent the hardest, jeopardizing nearly half its GDP. Vulnerable communities on the continent have a serious and urgent need for adaptation and resilience solutions to prepare, manage, and recover from climate change impacts. Yet, funding going to climate adaptation solutions in Africa is dramatically insufficient, with an estimated gap of USD 453 billion accumulating over this decade.

Fortunately, rapid digital inclusion, a dynamic startup ecosystem, and abundant natural resources are creating the opportunity for game-changing innovation, positioning Africa to be a leader in climate action.

Catalyst Fund capitalizes on this opportunity to accelerate and invest in early-stage, tech-enabled resilience solutions on the continent.

INNOVATION

Although investments flows are growing, African startups captured only USD 6.5 billion of the USD 445 billion invested globally. Early-stage startups face critical gaps in funding, talent, and access to knowledge.

Catalyst Fund provides pre-seed capital and bespoke venture building support to bridge gaps, foster innovation, and promote game-changing adaptation solutions. The fund leverages a team of technical experts who provide startups with hands-on venture building support, so they can achieve product market fit faster and build climate resilience among their users.

The fund helps build a robust pipeline of scalable adaptation solutions that are accessible, appropriate, and Although Africa has contributed the least to global affordable for vulnerable populations.

“The fund’s mission is to build the resilience of climate-vulnerable communities in Africa by investing in and supporting early-stage entrepreneurs building tech-enabled adaptation and resilience solutions. We believe the Lab is the best partner and platform to develop innovative financing vehicles dedicated to building climate resilience across emerging markets.”

Maelis Carraro, Managing Partner, Catalyst Fund

IMPACT

Catalyst Fund supports founders building climate resilience solutions across three verticals: fintech for climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and climatesmart essential services. The fund’s portfolio of startups helps vulnerable communities manage climate risks, adapt livelihoods, and build long-term resilience through agtech, climate fintech, insurtech, agro-forestry, cold chain, and waste and water solutions. The fund plans to invest in 40 ventures across Africa in essential sectors to enable adaptation, resilience, and green growth.

DESIGN

Catalyst Fund is an early-stage fund and accelerator that blends capital from concessional and commercial equity investors to invest USD 200,000 in selected preseed portfolio companies. The fund combines capital and venture building support and will have significant reserves to make follow-on investments at Seed and Series A in selected portfolio companies.

Fund capital addresses a critical gap for innovators in Africa, where the climate tech sector has historically received less funding than other sectors.

The initial pre-seed investment includes approximately six months of dedicated venture building; product, data, technological, operational, growth marketing and fundraising support that is crafted based on the startups’ unique needs. Venture building is critical for early-stage companies that need much more support, especially in weaker markets where infrastructure, governance and logistics challenges inhibit innovation.

The fund is accompanied by a grant-funded facility, the Catalyst Ecosystem Hub, which promotes shared learnings, builds community, and engages ecosystem actors to create a more vibrant, informed, and effective climate resilience ecosystem in Africa.