Catalyst Fund2027 deadline, funding, equity and how to apply
Pan-African climate resilience VC and venture builder run with BFA Global. Invests pre-seed to Series A with hands-on support; $30M second close in July 2026.
- Up to $100K
- Funding
- Equity investment
- Equity
- Ongoing post-investment support
- Program length
- Rolling
- Applications
About Catalyst Fund
Catalyst Fund is a pan-African venture capital firm that invests in startups helping people adapt to climate change. It started in 2015 as a global fintech accelerator managed by BFA Global, then pivoted fully to climate resilience in 2022 with FSD Africa as an anchor backer. Its debut fund reached a $30 million second close in July 2026, with a final close expected later in 2026.
Backers include IFC, FASA, Shell Foundation, Trafigura Foundation, Speedinvest, We-Fi, FSD Africa and Cisco Foundation. The fund invests from pre-seed to Series A in agriculture, food systems, energy, water, mobility and fintech. It has made 28 investments across 10 African markets and plans to back about 40.
Its approach mixes capital with operating help. BFA Global operators work inside portfolio companies on strategy, product, hiring, sales, partnerships and follow-on fundraising. In its first climate cohort, announced in January 2023, each of ten startups received $100,000 in equity plus $100,000 worth of venture-building support.
Portfolio companies include Keep It Cool, a Kenyan solar cold-chain startup that won a 2024 Earthshot Prize, MazaoHub in Tanzania and Bekia in Egypt. Catalyst Fund often writes the first institutional cheque, which makes it relevant for early climate founders.
What Catalyst Fund looks for
Catalyst Fund backs African startups that help climate-vulnerable people and businesses adapt, in agriculture, food systems, energy, water, mobility and climate fintech. It looks for early traction, a clear resilience impact and a model that can scale across markets. It is open to being the first institutional investor. Through We-Fi, it is also building its pipeline of women-led startups. Founders should be able to show how the product protects incomes, food or assets against climate shocks.
How the Catalyst Fund program works
Catalyst Fund is an investor with an embedded venture-building team, not a fixed-length accelerator. After investment, BFA Global operators work with founders on product strategy, hiring, commercial traction, partnerships and preparing follow-on rounds. In earlier cohorts this support was valued at $100,000 per startup on top of the $100,000 equity cheque.
Portfolio companies also get expert-led sessions and access to investors, corporate innovators and talent networks. The fund has announced investments in cohorts, such as ten startups in January 2023 and nine in 2024, while also investing on a rolling basis. Support continues as long as the fund holds the investment.
How to apply to Catalyst Fund
- 1Confirm your startup builds climate adaptation or resilience solutions in Africa.
- 2Check that you are between pre-seed and Series A with early traction.
- 3Submit your startup through the Catalyst Fund website or BFA Global contact channels.
- 4Share your pitch deck, impact thesis and traction data.
- 5Go through diligence calls with the investment and venture-building teams.
Startup perks after acceptance
Accelerator startups qualify for most startup credit programs. These are the ones founders claim first.
Notable Catalyst Fund alumni
Companies that went through or were backed by Catalyst Fund.
Catalyst Fund vs similar accelerators
| Program | Funding | Equity | Location | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalyst Fund | Up to $100K | Equity investment | Nairobi, Kenya | Rolling admissions |
| Wayra (Telefónica) | Up to $5.8M | Minority stake | Madrid | Rolling admissions |
| EIC Accelerator | Up to $2.9M | None on grant | EU | November 4, 2026 (8 days left) |
| PearX | Up to $2M | ~7% | San Francisco Bay Area | Rolling admissions |
| Dreamit Ventures | Up to $1.5M | Not published | New York | Rolling admissions |
| Seedcamp | Up to $1.3M | Varies | London, UK | Rolling admissions |
Catalyst Fund FAQ
When is the Catalyst Fund application deadline?+
Catalyst Fund reviews applications on a rolling basis, so you can apply at any time.
How much does Catalyst Fund invest?+
Catalyst Fund does not publish a current cheque size. In its first climate cohort in January 2023, each of ten startups received $100,000 in equity plus $100,000 worth of venture-building support. The fund now invests from pre-seed to Series A, so later-stage cheques are likely larger. Confirm terms directly with the team.
Is Catalyst Fund an accelerator?+
It began as a fintech accelerator in 2015 but is now a venture capital fund focused on climate resilience in Africa. It keeps the accelerator element through venture-building support from BFA Global operators, who work inside portfolio companies on strategy, product, hiring and fundraising after the investment.
What sectors does Catalyst Fund cover?+
Climate adaptation and resilience across agriculture, food systems, energy, water, mobility and fintech. Examples include Keep It Cool (solar cold chains, Kenya), MazaoHub (AI soil intelligence and agronomy, Tanzania), Bekia (recycling marketplace, Egypt), Octavia Carbon and Farm to Feed (Kenya). Climate fintech, such as insurance for smallholder farmers, also fits.
How big is the Catalyst Fund?+
The debut climate fund announced a $30 million second close in July 2026, with a final close expected later in 2026. One report cites a $40 million target. It has made 28 investments across 10 African markets and plans to back about 40 startups in total.
Sources: wamda.com, launchbaseafrica.com, fsdafrica.org, techpoint.africa, esgtoday.com