FUNDES Catalyst

WE ARE SOCIAL VENTURES BUILDERS

Innovations to go beyond subsistence entrepreneurship in Latin America.

WE ARE CATALYST

The impact venture studio in Latin America, which builds social enterprises and tech solutions servicing micro businesses to unleash their potential to tackle poverty.

Check us out!

One Year Report
Showcasing our learnings, impacts, and goals for the future.

    Traditional entrepreneurs in LATAM comprise 98% of all businesses and 64% of all jobs. They have the power to become change agents and transform their community. Without access to innovative services, however, their existence is threatened, posing a major societal challenge.

    FUNDES Catalyst works to bring the best technology solutions and human connections directly to the millions of traditional entrepreneurs who need them.

    WE

    bring our partners closer to the reality of MSMEs through smart data.

    develop the best strategies to align business goals and impact proposals with MSMEs and entrepreneurs.

    implement projects on the ground using the right methods, the best practices with the highest standards.

    Impact through innovation

    We design, develop and launch innovative tech solutions to solve the fundamental business problems of traditional entrepreneurs at scale. We turn them into change agents for their community and habitat.

    Expertise

    Our solutions leverage human networks, logistics and upskilling, 3 key areas of expertise of FUNDES.

    Ideation + -
    We conceive and design innovative products and services for micro and small businesses.
    Incubation + -
    We apply a repeatable and customized process to transform ideas into fundable projects.
    Investment + -
    We use venture philanthropy funding to scale our projects and make them self-sustaining.
    E-learning
    B2B white label learning platform for microbusinesses

    Marketplace of digital solutions for merchants

    First to last-mile

    Shopkeepers-led community group buying app for
    BOP-Consumers

    Delivery service linking local producers to middle income consumers
    Micro-franchises

    Micro-franchise for beauty professionals

    Microfranchise of waste pickers associations with optimized collection routes

    Our social innovation methodology

    At the intersection of human-centered design, frugal innovation, and agile development, we have developed a unique approach to creating sustainable products and businesses. We are agnostic by nature. We believe in facts, human networks, technology accessibility, and sustainable business models to scale our long-term impact.

    Our portfolio

    We have designed a portfolio of innovative and complementary solutions to solve the root business problems of micro-businesses.

    Last Mile Delivery

    Increase shopkeepers’ income, offer low income families discounts through a community group buying app.

    About

    Location: Mexico
    Sector: Foodtech
    Product: Community group buying model
    Stablished in: 2021

    Key Metrics

    • 2,000 shops
    • 7,140 BOP consumers & families
    • Monthly growth of 30%
    • 9% Average commissions earned by shop
    • 15% Average ticket saving for BOP Consumers

    Last Mile Delivery

    Making healthy products accessible to all through an integrated local value chain.

    About

    Location: Peru, Mexico
    Sector: Foodtech / Agrotech
    Product: Farm-to-store logistics
    Stablished in: 2018

    Key Metrics

    • 2,000 active shopkeepers
    • 9,000 smallholder farmers
    • 75,000 consumers reached/ month

    E-Learning Platforms

    Upskilling microbusinesses through a curated e-learning platform dedicated to their needs.

    About

    Location: Mexico
    Sector: EdTech
    Product: White label E-learning
    Stablished in: 2017

    Key Metrics

    • 14,703 registered users
    • 24,801 lessons taken
    • 50% of users complete
    • 80% of lessons (Coppel Emprende)
    • 2 clients and 20 partners
    • 619k total sale

    E-Learning Platforms

    Connecting local artisans with the digital marketplace through a micro-content platform.

    About

    Location: Mexico
    Sector: EdTech
    Product: E-learning platform and digital marketplace
    Stablished in: 2023

    Key Metrics

    • First key metrics coming soon

    Micro-franchises

    Enabling beauty professionals increase income by joining a unique micro-franchise model.

    About

    Location: Guatemala
    Sector: Micro-franchises
    Product: Marketplace, social commerce, certified courses
    Stablished in: 2022

    Key Metrics

    • 50 franchise members
    • 1300 unique beauty products
    • 30 brands
    • 2 running cohorts
    • 15 Community events & workshops

    Micro-franchises

    Improving the livelihood of waste pickers through an inclusive recycling ecosystem.

    About

    Location: Colombia
    Sector: Recycling
    Product: Integrated, inclusive local recycling system
    Stablished in: 2020

    Key Metrics

    • 539 recyclers
    • 240 waste generators
    • 24 collection centers
    • 1069 kg recycled per month
    • 40% increase in the income of recyclers
    • 20% increase of price for waste material for 60% recyclers

    Supported by the Wealth Inequality Initiative by Julius Baer Foundation and Fondation Botnar

    Merkomuna

    Merkomuna delivers group discounts to low-income families. We are a social commerce platform that allows BOP consumers to buy discounted everyday goods from local merchants in groups with their friends.

    • Launched in 2021.
    • Connecting with 700 mom & pop shops.
    • Currently scaling its activities in Mexico. 
    • Scaling our activities: elea foundation.

    EcoBodegas

    EcoBodegas makes healthy food accessible to all Latin American consumers by connecting small farmers with mom & pop shops. We are a triple bottom line distribution platform dedicated to fighting malnutrition at scale while transforming the traditional food sector from farm to store.

    • Launched in 2018.
    • Connecting 10,800 agroecological farmers with 1800 local stores.
    • Currently scaling its activities in Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, and Mexico.
    • Supported by the Leopold Bachmann Foundation and the JPMorgan Chase Foundation.

    EcoBodegas

    EcoBodegas makes healthy food accessible to all Latin American consumers by connecting small farmers with mom & pop shops. We are a triple bottom line distribution platform dedicated to fighting malnutrition at scale while transforming the traditional food sector from farm to store.

    • Launched in 2018.
    • Connecting 10,800 agroecological farmers with 1800 local stores.
    • Currently scaling its activities in Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, and Mexico.
    • Supported by the Leopold Bachmann Foundation and the JPMorgan Chase Foundation.

    Enko Solutions

    Enko enables governments, NGOs, and businesses to train and empower MSEs in their ecosystem: customers, partners, suppliers, and more. We are a fully customizable e-learning platform targeted at micro and small businesses.
    • Launched in 2017.
    • Connecting more than 75,000 users with 16 modules about personal development, sales, marketing, administration, and finance. 
    • Currently scaling our activities in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Chile. 
    • Supported by Visa Social Impact.

    Pymental

    Pymental connects community entrepreneurs to the digital economy. We are a gamified learning platform and marketplace based on profiling MSEs.

    • Launched in 2021.
    • Connecting beauty professionals, restaurateurs, and artisans with gamified learning experiences.
    • Currently scaling our activities in Guatemala, Colombia, Mexico, Peru. 
    • Supported by Argidius.

    Pymental

    Pymental connects community entrepreneurs to the digital economy. We are a gamified learning platform and marketplace based on profiling MSEs.

    • Launched in 2021.
    • Connecting beauty professionals, restaurateurs, and artisans with gamified learning experiences.
    • Currently scaling our activities in Guatemala, Colombia, Mexico, Peru. 
    • Supported by Argidius.

    Reciclamos Juntos

    Reciclamos Juntos transforms recycling value chains into equitable economies. We are a collaborative network of waste-pickers connected to waste producers and processors.

    • Launched in 2020.
    • Connecting more than 200 waste generators, 500 recyclers, 1,200 children, and several collection points, as well as FMCG companies.  
    • Currently scaling our activities in Colombia. 
    • Supported by the Wealth Inequality Initiative by Julius Baer Foundation and Fondation Botnar

    Waste is Opportunity and Life

    A recycling network to bolster the vulnerable

    Our Donors & Investors

    Econecta

    Econecta is the network that connects authentic experiences to protect nature. We are a sustainable tourism solution that provides access to e-commerce, local tourism routes, and skills development.

    • Launched in 2020.
    • Connecting with 400 services providers. 
    • Already implemented in México. 
    • Supported by Fomento Social Banamex.

    Econecta

    Econecta is the network that connects authentic experiences to protect nature. We are a sustainable tourism solution that provides access to e-commerce, local tourism routes, and skills development.

    • Launched in 2020.
    • Connecting with 400 services providers. 
    • Already implemented in México. 
    • Supported by Fomento Social Banamex.

    ELEVATE YOUR BUSINESS WITH

    Valiance theme

    Limitless customization options & Elementor compatibility let anyone create a beautiful website with Valiance.