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Catalyst Fund Reaches $30 Million Second Close to Scale Investment in Africa’s Climate Tech Startups

By
Ojukwu Emmanuel
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0

Catalyst Fund, an early-stage VC fund, has announced the successful completion of a $30 million second close, bringing on a new group of investors to further its mission of supporting Africa’s climate technology entrepreneurs.

The latest funding round welcomes new investors, including the International Finance Corporation (IFC), FASA Fund by Investisseurs & Partenaires, Shell Foundation, Trafigura Foundation, Speedinvest, Blink Impact, Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative, and a group of high-net-worth individuals.

These investors join existing backers, including FSD Africa and the Cisco Foundation, which participated in the fund’s first close.

Catalyst Fund said the additional capital will enable it to continue supporting 40 climate technology startups across Africa, investing in companies from pre-seed to Series A.

The fund aims to back founders developing innovative solutions to strengthen climate resilience across the continent.

Commenting on the recent funds raised, Maelis Carraro, Founder & General Partner, Catalyst Fund said,

“Climate adaptation is one of the defining investment themes of the next decade, especially in Africa, where the need is immediate, and the entrepreneurial talent is extraordinary. This second close allows us to double down on our mission: backing ambitious founders building practical, scalable solutions for a climate-changed world, and supporting them not just with capital, but with the hands-on venture-building support they need to grow.”

This investment comes at a critical time as African economies face increasing challenges across food systems, supply chains, energy access, and infrastructure.

Despite being home to nearly 20% of the world’s population, Africa accounts for only about 3% of global manufacturing output, leaving many countries heavily dependent on imports for essential goods and vulnerable to global supply chain disruptions.

The continent also spends more than $50 billion annually on food imports, even though it possesses roughly 60% of the world’s uncultivated arable land, highlighting the gap between agricultural potential and productivity.

Energy insecurity remains another major obstacle. Around 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still lack access to electricity, representing nearly 80% of the global population without power.

Frequent electricity shortages and unreliable grids increase operating costs for businesses, reduce industrial productivity, and discourage investment

By expanding its funding capacity, Catalyst Fund seeks to accelerate the growth of startups developing technologies that address pressing climate and development challenges, while fostering a more sustainable future for the continent.

The early-stage VC fund began its journey in 2015 as a global accelerator managed by BFA Global, targeting early-stage inclusive fintech startups dedicated to improving the financial health of underserved communities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

Aligned with its mission to empower entrepreneurs addressing the most significant challenges in this present time, the company launched its first equity fund in 2022 to support founders tackling the urgent global issue of climate change.

Built on nearly a decade of supporting African entrepreneurs, the Catalyst fund has already made 28 investments across 10 markets. Some of its portfolio company includes Agrails, Assuraf, Bekia, Biobuu, Earthbond, and Enakl amongst others.

The Fund’s thesis focuses on supporting mission-driven local women and founders building solutions across several sectors critical for climate resilience; agritech and food systems, insurtech and climate fintech, cold chain, waste management, clean energy, and water management.

It invest $200K in pre-seed startups and follow on at Seed and Series A, as well as connecting startups to its network of 250+ investors and ecosystem partners.

The firm is betting that climate resilience in Africa is not just an impact story, but one of the most important venture opportunities emerging on the continent. As climate shocks intensify, demand is rising for affordable, scalable solutions that help communities and economies adapt.

Catalyst Fund believes the next generation of category-defining African startups will be built in that gap and that backing them early can deliver outsized impact and strong returns for investors.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs End 10-Day Outflow Streak as Bitcoin Surpasses $62,000

By
Paul Ugbede Godwin
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0

The cryptocurrency market regained momentum after U.S. spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds (ETFs) recorded a combined $222 million in daily net inflows, bringing an end to a 10-day streak of capital outflows. The renewed investor interest coincided with Bitcoin climbing above the $62,000 mark, signaling a notable improvement in market sentiment.

These developments suggest that institutional confidence may be returning after a period of uncertainty that had weighed on digital asset prices. The 10-day outflow streak had raised concerns among investors, as persistent withdrawals from spot Bitcoin ETFs often indicate weakening demand from institutional and retail participants.

Such outflows can reflect caution driven by macroeconomic uncertainty, shifting expectations for interest rates, or short-term profit-taking following previous price rallies. However, the latest inflow of $222 million represents a significant reversal, implying that investors are once again willing to allocate capital to Bitcoin through regulated investment products.

Spot Bitcoin ETFs have become an important gateway for institutional and traditional investors seeking exposure to Bitcoin without directly holding the cryptocurrency. Since their introduction, these funds have increased accessibility to digital assets by allowing investors to buy Bitcoin exposure through familiar brokerage accounts.

As a result, ETF inflows and outflows are closely monitored because they often provide insight into broader market trends and investor confidence.

Bitcoin’s move above $62,000 reinforces the positive sentiment created by the ETF inflows. Price appreciation and fund inflows frequently reinforce each other, creating a cycle in which rising prices attract additional investment while fresh capital further supports market gains.

Breaking above a key psychological level such as $62,000 may also encourage technical traders and momentum investors to increase their exposure, potentially strengthening buying pressure in the short term. Several factors could be contributing to the renewed optimism.

Investors may be anticipating more favorable macroeconomic conditions, including the possibility of lower interest rates in the future. Additionally, confidence in Bitcoin’s long-term value proposition continues to grow as more financial institutions embrace digital assets and regulatory frameworks become clearer in several major markets.

Positive developments within the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem may also be encouraging investors to re-enter positions after the recent period of selling. Despite the encouraging signs, market participants remain aware that Bitcoin is inherently volatile.

A single day of strong ETF inflows does not necessarily establish a sustained trend, and future performance will depend on a range of factors, including global economic conditions, regulatory developments, and overall investor sentiment. Continued positive inflows over several trading sessions would provide stronger evidence that institutional demand has regained momentum.

Analysts will closely monitor whether spot Bitcoin ETFs continue attracting fresh capital in the coming weeks. Sustained inflows, combined with Bitcoin maintaining levels above $62,000, could strengthen confidence that the market is entering a new phase of recovery.

Renewed outflows or sharp price corrections would indicate that investors remain cautious despite the recent rebound. Overall, the combination of $222 million in net inflows into spot Bitcoin ETFs and Bitcoin’s rise above $62,000 marks a significant shift in market dynamics.

While it is too early to declare the start of a prolonged bull run, these developments highlight renewed investor confidence and underscore the growing influence of regulated investment products in shaping the future of the cryptocurrency market.

Good Shareholding, The Cap fits TAP, The Power Behind Cowry Card, Ije Card, etc

By
Ndubuisi Ekekwe
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0

I first met them in a modest office on Adeola Odeku Street in Victoria Island, Lagos. They had a small piece of technology, but I was completely sold on the vision.

Today, Touch and Pay (TAP) powers governments, enterprises, and millions of users across Nigeria. Olamide, Kabir Aderemi, and Michael set out to solve what looked like an impossible problem: How do you profitably digitize collections of ?60, ?100, or ?200?

Using traditional global payment rails such as Visa and Mastercard would have made the economics almost impossible because transaction fees could consume much of the revenue.

So they did something different. They built a new payment protocol designed for the realities of the local market. Today, from Lagos to Enugu, from Kano to many other cities, that innovation is powering everyday transactions at scale.

The lesson is timeless: learn from global innovations, but build for local realities. Great companies are not created by copying the world; they are created by understanding local market frictions and engineering solutions that fit.

Today, Touch and Pay has become Africa’s leading micro-transaction payments company, and it continues to expand into new markets and opportunities. When I write of good shareholding, the cap fits TAP, the power behind Cowry Card, Ije Card, etc across Africa.

Cloudflare Unveils Stablecoin Monetization Platform for the Modern Web

By
Paul Ugbede Godwin
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Cloudflare has announced the launch of a stablecoin monetization gateway, marking another significant step toward integrating blockchain-based payments into the broader internet economy.

As one of the world’s leading internet infrastructure companies, Cloudflare powers millions of websites, applications, and online services. By introducing a gateway that enables stablecoin payments, the company aims to simplify digital transactions while creating new revenue opportunities for website owners, developers, and content creators.

Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value by being pegged to traditional assets such as the U.S. dollar. Unlike more volatile cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ether, stablecoins offer predictable pricing, making them well-suited for everyday transactions, subscriptions, and business payments.

Their growing adoption has attracted interest from financial institutions, technology firms, and payment providers seeking faster and more efficient alternatives to conventional payment networks. Cloudflare’s monetization gateway allows businesses to accept stablecoin payments with minimal friction.

This solution is particularly valuable for digital publishers, software developers, online communities, and content creators looking to monetize their services without relying solely on traditional payment processors. By leveraging blockchain technology, payments can be settled more quickly, with potentially lower transaction fees and broader accessibility for users around the world.

One of the key advantages of the gateway is its global reach. Conventional payment systems often involve multiple intermediaries, resulting in delays, higher costs, and restrictions for cross-border transactions.

Stablecoin payments can significantly reduce these barriers, enabling businesses to receive funds from customers in different countries almost instantly. This capability is especially beneficial for startups and small businesses that operate internationally but lack access to sophisticated financial infrastructure.

The launch also reflects a broader trend of blockchain technology moving beyond speculative investing and into practical business applications.

In recent years, stablecoins have become an increasingly important component of the digital asset ecosystem, supporting decentralized finance, remittances, and online commerce. Infrastructure providers like Cloudflare are now helping bridge the gap between blockchain networks and mainstream internet services, making cryptocurrency payments more accessible to everyday users.

The company has built its reputation on protecting websites from cyberattacks, improving network performance, and ensuring reliable internet connectivity. Integrating stablecoin payment functionality into its existing infrastructure allows businesses to benefit from both secure transaction processing and Cloudflare’s established cybersecurity expertise.

This combination could encourage greater confidence among organizations considering digital asset payments for the first time. Regulatory frameworks continue to evolve across different jurisdictions, and businesses must comply with local financial regulations, anti-money laundering requirements, and tax obligations.

While stablecoins reduce price volatility, users still require secure digital wallets and blockchain literacy to fully participate in the ecosystem. Addressing these challenges will be essential for widespread adoption.

Cloudflare’s stablecoin monetization gateway represents an important milestone in the convergence of internet infrastructure and blockchain technology. By enabling faster, lower-cost, and globally accessible digital payments, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of the next generation of online commerce.

As stablecoins continue to gain acceptance among businesses and consumers alike, innovations like this gateway could play a pivotal role in reshaping how value is exchanged across the internet, accelerating the transition toward a more efficient and inclusive digital economy.

X Allocates $1 Million to Streamers as Venice Reaches $1 Billion Valuation with $65 Million Funding Round

By
Paul Ugbede Godwin
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0

The digital economy continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with technology platforms and artificial intelligence companies making strategic moves to attract creators, users, and investors.

Two recent developments highlight these changing dynamics: X’s decision to allocate $1 million in rewards to streamers and Venice’s successful $65 million equity fundraising round, which values the AI company at $1 billion. These announcements underscore the growing importance of creator-driven platforms and AI innovation in shaping the future of the internet.

X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, has increasingly focused on becoming more than just a place for text-based conversations.

By setting aside $1 million in rewards for streamers, the platform is signaling its commitment to expanding into live content and creator-focused experiences. Streaming has become one of the fastest-growing segments of digital entertainment, with audiences spending billions of hours watching gaming sessions, live podcasts, educational content, and interactive broadcasts.

Financial incentives play a crucial role in attracting talented creators. By rewarding streamers directly, X hopes to encourage more users to produce engaging live content while strengthening user retention and platform activity.

Similar strategies have been successfully employed by competing platforms, which have invested heavily in creator funds, revenue-sharing programs, and exclusive partnerships. If executed effectively, X’s reward initiative could help establish the platform as a serious competitor in the rapidly expanding livestreaming market.

The move also reflects a broader trend in social media where creators are increasingly viewed as the primary drivers of platform growth. Rather than relying solely on advertising revenue, platforms are building ecosystems that reward creators for attracting audiences, generating engagement, and fostering communities.

As competition intensifies, financial support programs like X’s $1 million initiative could become increasingly common across the industry. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence startup Venice has achieved a significant milestone by closing a $65 million equity funding round at a valuation of $1 billion.

Reaching unicorn status places Venice among a growing group of AI companies attracting substantial investor confidence during the current wave of AI adoption.

The successful fundraising demonstrates continued optimism surrounding artificial intelligence despite increased competition in the sector.

Investors remain eager to back companies developing innovative AI tools, infrastructure, and consumer applications that can capitalize on growing enterprise and individual demand. The new capital is expected to support Venice’s product development, infrastructure expansion, talent acquisition, and market growth as it competes in an increasingly crowded landscape.

A billion-dollar valuation also reflects expectations for long-term growth rather than current financial performance alone. Venture capital firms are increasingly betting that AI startups capable of building differentiated technology and sustainable business models will become key players in the next generation of software and digital services.

These two announcements illustrate how technology companies are investing aggressively in different aspects of the digital ecosystem. X is focusing on empowering creators and expanding its live content offerings, while Venice is leveraging investor capital to accelerate AI innovation.

Both strategies aim to capture opportunities in rapidly growing markets where user engagement, technological advancement, and scalable business models remain the primary drivers of success.

As the digital landscape continues to transform, investments in creators and artificial intelligence are likely to remain central themes.

Whether through rewarding streamers or funding breakthrough AI technologies, companies are positioning themselves to compete in an increasingly interconnected and innovation-driven economy, where attention, creativity, and advanced technology are becoming the world’s most valuable assets.

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