New Energy Nexus Ventures have launched the NEXCatalyst Climate Tech Fund, a catalytic blended finance fund aimed at closing the “Missing Middle” investment gap for early-stage climate ventures in Southeast Asia, particularly in Vietnam, Indonesia, and The Philippines.
With a target of US$35 million for its first close and up to US$100 million for the final close, NEXCatalyst aspires to mobilise an additional US$1 billion in co- and follow-on investments. The fund is designed to catalyse early-stage companies working on climate mitigation solutions and contribute to GHG emission reductions across the region.
Yeni Tjiunardi, the powerhouse behind NEXCatalyst Fund, emphasised the fund’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive climate tech ecosystem. “We are dedicated to supporting founders who can accelerate the clean energy transition and are optimistic about the potential opportunities for emerging early-stage ventures to address climate challenges, not only in Indonesia but also in other Southeast Asian countries, such as the Philippines and Vietnam.”
Impacting Diversity and Inclusion
A notable feature of NEXCatalyst is its allocation of capital to invest in companies led by underrepresented founders. This includes those who are women or based outside major startup cities, ensuring a broader spectrum of innovation and impact.
Building on Proven Success
NEXCatalyst builds on the successful deployment of the Indonesia 1 Fund (Indo1), a pioneering catalytic “proof of concept” fund supported by the IKEA Foundation.
Indo1 has mobilised capital into seven companies (with one exit) and catalysed 42x additional capital per dollar invested into these portfolio companies in less than three years. The Indo1 portfolio has created 368 green jobs (26% held by women) and has reduced over 165,000 tons of GHG emissions from 108,000 MWh of renewable energy generated and 66,000 MWh of energy saved.
A Significant Opportunity
NEXCatalyst represents a significant opportunity for both strategic and concessional investors to participate in the early-stage climate tech sector in Southeast Asia. By investing in scalable climate tech companies with high GHG reduction potential and promoting diversity within the local ecosystem, NEXCatalyst aims to make a lasting impact.
New Energy Nexus Ventures look forward to collaborating with investors who share their vision of accelerating Southeast Asia’s just transition to net zero.
For further inquiries, please reach out to: New Energy Nexus Ventures at nexcatalyst-investor@newenergynexus.com or visit www.newenergynexus.ventures.
Apply to the 2024 Climate Fintech Accelerator Cohort
In addition to the launch of the NEXCatalyst Climate Tech Fund, as covered by New Energy Nexus (NEX) is thrilled to announce the launch of the second round application for its 2024 NEX Climate Fintech Accelerator.
Its mission is to propel fintech innovations that are crucial for climate finance by providing an ecosystem of support, including business development, capacity building, and expansive networking opportunities.
Climate Fintech is digital financial technology that catalyses decarbonisation at the intersection of climate, finance, and digital technology. These digital innovations, applications, and platforms serve as crucial financial intermediaries and mediums between all stakeholders pursuing decarbonisation.
Why Join the 2024 Climate Fintech Accelerator Cohort?
- Diverse Focus Areas: This year, we delve into a range of fields including AI x Sustainability, Cross-Border Carbon Management, Web3 in Sustainability, and more within the realms of Payments, Banking, Lending, Investing, Trading, Risk Analysis, Insurtech, and Regtech.
- Proven Track Record: NEX has a history of nurturing successful climate fintech startups, fostering collaborations with major corporates and top-tier investors globally.
- Exclusive Benefits:
- Access to global markets and networking platforms
- Expert fundraising consultancy and support
- Tailored training and capacity enhancement programs
- Marketing and branding guidance
- Insightful enterprise visits and knowledge exchange sessions
Application deadline: Friday, August 2, 2024.
To download the application instructions, please click here; and to learn more about climate fintech, please visit: https://www.climatefintech.cn/