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Global Innovation Fund

Europe, England, United Kingdom, London

Description

Global Innovation Fund (GIF) is a distinctive London-based non-profit investment fund dedicated to fostering social innovations with the potential to significantly improve the lives and opportunities for millions in low- and middle-income countries. Unlike traditional venture capital firms, GIF employs a flexible capital approach, deploying a mix of grants, debt, and equity to support solutions that address critical development challenges across various sectors.

GIF's investment thesis is deeply rooted in evidence and impact. They rigorously seek out innovations with strong potential for large-scale social benefit, prioritizing solutions that are thoroughly tested and demonstrate a clear, scalable path to adoption. Their focus spans a broad spectrum of sectors, including health, education, agriculture, energy, and financial inclusion, all aimed at poverty alleviation and enhancing livelihoods in underserved communities.

The fund invests across various stages of development, from early-stage pilot projects requiring initial validation to more mature, proven solutions ready for significant scale-up. Their investment sizes are notably flexible, with initial commitments typically ranging from $50,000 for early-stage proof-of-concept grants up to $5,000,000 for established innovations poised for widespread adoption. This broad range allows them to support a diverse pipeline of impactful ventures, adapting their funding mechanism to the specific needs and maturity of each innovation.

Since its inception, GIF has built a robust portfolio, having invested in over 50 innovations across more than 30 countries globally. This extensive reach underscores their commitment to fostering change on a global scale. Furthermore, GIF emphasizes leveraging additional capital, often citing that every $1 of GIF funding has historically attracted substantial co-funding, amplifying the overall impact of their investments. Their strategic approach aims not just to fund, but to catalyze and scale solutions that can genuinely transform lives.

Investor Profile

Global Innovation Fund has backed more than 29 startups, with 2 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 19 rounds, about 66% of its total and boasts 3 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Grant, Series B, Series A rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in United States, United Kingdom, Kenya.
  • Strong thematic focus on Information Technology, Health Care, Software.
  • Led 1 rounds in the past year.
  • Typical check size: $50K – $5M.

Stage Focus

  • Grant (34%)
  • Series B (17%)
  • Series A (14%)
  • Seed (10%)
  • Series Unknown (10%)
  • Debt Financing (10%)
  • Convertible Note (3%)

Country Focus

  • United States (21%)
  • United Kingdom (21%)
  • Kenya (17%)
  • Singapore (10%)
  • Uganda (7%)
  • France (7%)
  • Indonesia (3%)
  • Ireland (3%)
  • Botswana (3%)
  • India (3%)

Industry Focus

  • Information Technology
  • Health Care
  • Software
  • Fintech
  • Information Services
  • Education
  • Apps
  • Financial Services
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Recycling
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does Global Innovation Fund frequently co-invest with?

Bossa Invest
South America, Sao Paulo, Brazil, São Paulo
Co-Investments: 1
Goodwell Investments
Europe, Noord-Holland, The Netherlands, Amsterdam
Co-Investments: 3
Endeavor Catalyst
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 2
Kickstart Ventures
Asia, Manila, Philippines, Makati
Co-Investments: 1
500 Global
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 1
DOB Equity
Europe, Gelderland, The Netherlands, Veessen
Co-Investments: 3
Warburg Pincus
Europe, Madrid, Spain, Boadilla Del Monte
Co-Investments: 1
MDI Ventures
Asia, Jakarta Raya, Indonesia, Jakarta
Co-Investments: 1
Peak XV Partners
Asia, Karnataka, India, Bengaluru
Co-Investments: 1
Alpha JWC Ventures
Asia, Jakarta Raya, Indonesia, Jakarta Pusat
Co-Investments: 1

Which angels does Global Innovation Fund often collaborate with?

Steve Melhuish
Asia, Central Region, Singapore, Singapore
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Global Innovation Fund?

Agros

Singapore, Central Region, Singapore

Agros is an agtech company offering an end-to-end solution to farmers that doubles their income and reduces carbon emissions.

AgricultureRenewable Energy
Series AMar 11, 2025
Amount Raised: $4,250,000
Komunidad

Singapore, Central Region, Singapore

Climate Action Management Software

Enterprise SoftwareEnvironmental Consulting
Debt FinancingAug 12, 2024
Amount Raised: $500,000
Mr. Green Africa

Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya

Mr. Green Africa is a tech-enabled plastic recycling company that tackles waste management problems.

Environmental EngineeringRecyclingWaste Management
Series BJan 13, 2022
Isizwe

Stellenbosch, NA - South Africa, South Africa

Isizwe is revolutionising internet connectivity and solving Africa's last mile connectivity crisis

E-Commerce PlatformsFinTechInternet
Series UnknownDec 30, 2021
Amount Raised: $460,000
Mr. Green Africa

Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya

Mr. Green Africa is a tech-enabled plastic recycling company that tackles waste management problems.

Environmental EngineeringRecyclingWaste Management
Series UnknownNov 15, 2020
Amount Raised: $2,000,000
Kamatan Farm Tech

New Delhi, Delhi, India

Building inclusive and sustainable agri value chains in India

AgricultureAgTechLogisticsSupply Chain Management
Series BMay 23, 2020
Amount Raised: $2,330,000
WhereIsMyTransport

London, England, United Kingdom

WhereIsMyTransport is a mobility technology company and central source of complete public transport data for emerging-market megacities

Information ServicesInformation TechnologySoftware
Series AFeb 28, 2020
Amount Raised: $7,500,000
Mr. Green Africa

Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya

Mr. Green Africa is a tech-enabled plastic recycling company that tackles waste management problems.

Environmental EngineeringRecyclingWaste Management
Series AAug 20, 2019
Balloon Ventures

London, England, United Kingdom

We are fixing SME banking in Africa. We provide loans of $10k - $200k to drive economic growth and create Good Jobs.

Financial Services
GrantJan 10, 2019
Amount Raised: $1,250,000
CityTaps

Montrouge, Ile-de-France, France

CityTaps helps bring running water to every urban home, to boost the health, dignity.

FinTechMobileSoftwareTelecommunicationsWater
SeedDec 6, 2018
Amount Raised: $1,137,677