FUNDES Catalyst
WE ARE SOCIAL VENTURES BUILDERS
Innovations to go beyond subsistence entrepreneurship in Latin America.
WE ARE CATALYST
The first impact venture studio dedicated to empowering subsistence entrepreneurs in LATAM.
FUNDES Catalyst works to bring the best technology solutions and human connections directly to the millions of traditional entrepreneurs who need them.
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 proposal leverages human networks, logistics, and training, three key areas of FUNDES’ expertise.
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.
Our social innovation methodology
Our porfolio
We are designing a portfolio of innovative and complementary solutions to solve the root business problems of microbusinesses.
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
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, Colombia, Bolivia, 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, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Chile
Sector: EdTech
Product: White Label E-learning
Stablished in: 2017
Key Metrics
- 80,000 MSEs registered
- 15,000 active users in 7 countries
- 7 allied corporations and governments
- 17% average monthly sales difference between non-adopters & adopters
- 75% of users had improved the way they manage the business
E-Learning Platforms
Connecting local artisans with the digital marketplace through a micro-content platform.
About
Location: Guatemala, Colombia, Mexico, Peru
Sector: EdTech
Product: E-learning Platform and Marketplace
Stablished in: 2021
Key Metrics
- 400 active users
Micro-franchises
Enabling beauty professionals increase income by joining a unique micro-franchise model.
About
Location: Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Mexico
Sector: Micro-franchises
Product: Microfranchise Model
Stablished in: 2016
Key Metrics
- 600 active women haidresser
- 20-25% Average income increase
- 33-41% median earnings increase
- 237 jobs created
Micro-franchises
Improving the livelihood of waste pickers through an inclusive recycling ecosystem.
About
Location: Cartagena, Colombia
Sector: Recycling
Product: Collaborative network
Stablished in: 2020
Key Metrics
- 503 waste-pickers
- 197 waste-generators linked to the network (10.000 consumers)
- 21 Collection Centers
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
- 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.
