Organization · Venture Capital
Catalyst Fund
The Catalyst Fund is a pre-seed venture capital fund and accelerator based in Nairobi, Kenya, focusing on technology solutions for climate adaptation and resilience in Africa. It supports mission-driven founders, particularly women, across various sectors critical for climate resilience.
Overview
What Catalyst Fund does
What Catalyst Fund is
The Catalyst Fund is a pre-seed venture capital fund and accelerator based in Nairobi, Kenya, focusing on technology solutions for climate adaptation and resilience in Africa. It supports mission-driven founders, particularly women, across various sectors critical for climate resilience.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder and program host capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Venture Capital
- Founded
- Founded in 2015
- Approximate age
- About 11 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder · Program host
- Last reviewed
- March 18, 2026
Official channels
Find Catalyst Fund elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Catalyst Fund as a funder
Investment thesis
The Catalyst Fund invests in technology solutions for climate adaptation and resilience in Africa, focusing on supporting founders developing impactful solutions across various sectors.
Focus narrative
The Catalyst Fund invests primarily in pre-seed startups, providing initial funding of $200,000 and following on at Seed and Series A stages. The fund's investment thesis emphasizes supporting founders who are creating solutions in sectors such as fintech for climate resilience, insurance, carbon finance, sustainable agriculture, clean energy, and waste management.
Value beyond capital
The Catalyst Fund adds value to its portfolio companies by providing not only capital but also strategic support in venture building, access to networks, and expertise in climate adaptation and resilience. The fund's focus on impact-driven solutions ensures that portfolio companies are aligned with broader social and environmental goals.
Terms and economics
- Typical check
- $50,000–$200,000
- Sweet spot
- $200,000
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Series A
- Regions
- AfricaAsiaLatin America
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 81
Portfolio context
The Catalyst Fund has accelerated 81 companies across 19 markets since its inception. Notable portfolio companies include: Agrails: AI-powered climate intelligence to monitor and verify agricultural risk portfolios. Agro Supply: A USSD-based layaway system enabling smallholder farmers to save. Assuraf: An inclusive digital platform offering insurance products from over 20 companies. Bekia: An app for exchanging valuable waste for cash. Biobuu: Upcycling organic waste into high-quality animal feeds and organic compost. Farm to Feed: A digital marketplace for odd-looking and surplus produce. Keep IT Cool: Decentralizing cold chain access for small-scale farmers. Mazao Hub: Providing hyperlocal soil analytics for farming.
Capability profile
Catalyst Fund as a program host
Program thesis
The Catalyst Fund is dedicated to investing in technology solutions for climate adaptation and resilience in Africa, supporting founders who are developing innovative solutions to address climate challenges.
Focus narrative
The Catalyst Fund invests in pre-seed startups, particularly those developing solutions in sectors such as fintech for climate resilience, insurance, carbon finance, sustainable agriculture, and clean energy. Their investment strategy is designed to foster innovation that contributes to climate adaptation and resilience.
Value and support
Founders participating in the Catalyst Fund program receive $200,000 in initial funding, along with access to mentorship, resources, and a network of industry experts to help scale their solutions effectively.
Terms and economics
- Indicative investment
- $200,000
Availability
- Application state
- Accepting
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Series A
- Regions
- Africa
Alumni and track record
Alumni context
Notable alumni companies include Agrails, which uses AI for climate intelligence in agriculture; Agro Supply, a USSD-based savings system for farmers; and Assuraf, a digital platform offering inclusive insurance products. Other alumni include Bekia, Biobuu, Farm to Feed, Keep IT Cool, and Mazao Hub, each contributing innovative solutions to climate challenges.
Common questions
What to know about Catalyst Fund
Upseed classifies Catalyst Fund under the Venture Capital organization type. Its current public profile includes funder and program host capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
March 18, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.