Binance Charity and Mercy Corps Ventures Join Forces to Support Inclusive Fintech Startups With a $1 Million Partnership

Binance Charity, the philanthropic arm of Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange platform, has pledged a $1 million donation to Mercy Corps Ventures (MCV), the impact investing arm of the global development agency, Mercy Corps. The funding will serve as investment capital for up to five high-impact startups using responsible fintech and Web3 solutions to drive financial inclusion and resilience for underserved and low-income groups.

The partnership between Binance and MCV aims to provide critical support to startups in emerging markets by granting them access to capital, technical assistance, and business development support.

"We're thrilled to partner with Mercy Corps Ventures to support their mission of promoting financial inclusion through innovative digital solutions. The partnership perfectly embodies our goal of using blockchain technology to transform lives and create more opportunities for underserved populations." said Helen Hai, Head of Binance Charity.

"Mercy Corps Ventures' mission is to catalyze an ecosystem of venture-led solutions to strengthen the resilience of individuals and communities in frontier markets. Together with Binance Charity, we're excited to further this mission and support innovative entrepreneurs to solve the world's most pressing problems by responsibly deploying technology," said Scott Onder, Chief Investment Officer at Mercy Corps.

To date, MCV has invested in 43 early-stage ventures, supporting them to scale and raise over $396.7 million in follow-on capital. Their portfolio is 49% female-founded and centers around resilience-building solutions in adaptive agriculture and food systems, inclusive fintech, and climate-smart technologies, so that those living in frontier markets can withstand disruption and plan for the future. The partnership between Binance Charity and MCV aims to further foster greater financial inclusion and drive positive change in emerging markets through responsible and innovative digital solutions.

The $1 million donation from Binance Charity will specifically support the seed and early-stage venture capital fund of MCV.

Additionally, MCV manages the Crypto For Good Fund, which provides grant funding to mission-driven social enterprises leveraging Web3 technology to solve the world's pressing problems. This year's Fund has received 200 applicants from 50 different countries, and was open to organizations from Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, Pacific Islands, and Western Balkans. Priority focus areas include access to credit for unbanked users, nature-based solutions for climate resilience, humanitarian aid delivery, transparent supply chains and crypto-enabled wallets for underserved users. Successful applicants will receive funding along with mentorship opportunities, impact measurement advisory, access to partnership opportunities, knowledge exchange, and brand exposure. 

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About Binance Charity

Binance Charity is a non-profit organization dedicated to unlocking Web3 as a powerful tool for social change. Its mission is to enable Web3 as a driver of social transformation by making its education and research accessible to all, and advancing global solutions for local humanitarian impact. Binance Charity uses its 100% transparent donation platform to build a future where technology is used as a force for good. To date, Binance Charity has supported over 2 million end beneficiaries through various projects. For more information, visit https://www.binance.charity/.

About Mercy Corps Ventures

Mercy Corps Ventures invests in and catalyzes venture-led solutions to increase the resilience of underserved individuals and communities. Founded in 2015 as the impact investing arm of global development agency, Mercy Corps, we've supported 43 early-stage ventures to scale and raise over $396.7 million in follow-on capital. Our portfolio is 50% female-founded and centers around resilience-building solutions in adaptive agriculture and food systems, inclusive fintech, and climate-smart technologies, so that those living in frontier markets can withstand disruption and plan for the future. Through capital and support, piloting new approaches, action-oriented insights, and rigorously managing impact, we catalyze the ecosystem toward smarter, more impactful investments.

Learn more at www.mercycorpsventures.vc