Village Capital and Standard Chartered Foundation

Village Capital and Standard Chartered Foundation have forged a powerful partnership dedicated to fostering innovation and inclusive growth in emerging markets. Village Capital, founded in 2009, is a global accelerator and venture capital firm that finds, trains, and invests in early-stage startups solving real-world problems. Their unique peer-selection investment model empowers entrepreneurs to evaluate and select the companies that receive investment, fostering a collaborative and supportive ecosystem. The Standard Chartered Foundation, established in 2019, is the charitable arm of Standard Chartered, focusing on empowering the next generation, lifting participation, and driving a just transition. Together, this partnership leverages Village Capital's expertise in impact investment and accelerator programming with Standard Chartered Foundation's commitment to sustainable development.

The collaboration's mission is to identify and support impact-driven entrepreneurs, particularly those addressing critical challenges in financial inclusion, climate resilience, and economic empowerment across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Their investment thesis centers on early-stage ventures that demonstrate strong potential for both financial returns and measurable social or environmental impact. A notable program resulting from this partnership is the 'Futuremakers' initiative, which supports young people and entrepreneurs in emerging markets. This program often includes tailored accelerator cohorts, mentorship, and access to capital for startups focused on areas like fintech for underserved populations, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy solutions. Geographically, their focus is broad, encompassing regions like Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, where the need for innovative solutions and access to capital is significant. While specific portfolio highlights from this joint venture are continually evolving, their combined efforts have supported numerous startups in scaling their impact. What makes this partnership stand out is the blend of Village Capital's innovative peer-selection model with the Standard Chartered Foundation's deep regional presence and commitment to long-term sustainable development, creating a robust platform for impactful entrepreneurship.