
Symbiotics Group
Description
Symbiotics Group, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is a prominent investment company specializing in impact investing within emerging and frontier markets. Established in 2005, the group serves as a leading market access platform, primarily focusing on financial inclusion by providing capital to microfinance institutions (MFIs) and other financial intermediaries. Their comprehensive services span market research, investment advisory, brokerage, and asset management, positioning them as a multifaceted player in the sustainable finance landscape.
The core of Symbiotics' investment strategy revolves around debt financing, channeling capital to institutions that then extend credit to underserved populations and small businesses. They target a broad range of sectors critical for sustainable development, including SME finance, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, affordable housing, education, and healthcare. This approach allows them to foster economic growth and social progress in regions often overlooked by traditional investors, addressing critical funding gaps in developing economies.
Symbiotics has demonstrated significant scale and impact since its inception. As of December 2023, the group managed approximately USD 3.0 billion in assets under management (AUM), reflecting its substantial capacity to deploy capital. Over its operational history, Symbiotics has structured and originated more than 6,000 impact investments, totaling over USD 10.5 billion. These investments have reached more than 500 financial institutions across 95 countries, underscoring their extensive global reach and commitment to fostering financial inclusion worldwide. Their typical initial debt facilities to these institutions often range from several million to tens of millions of US dollars, reflecting their role as institutional lenders rather than early-stage equity investors.
Investor Profile
Symbiotics Group has backed more than 31 startups, with 5 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 18 rounds, about 58% of its total and boasts 3 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Debt Financing, Post Ipo Debt, Series Unknown rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in India, Colombia, Kenya.
- Strong thematic focus on Financial Services, FinTech, Finance.
- Led 4 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $5M – $25M.
Stage Focus
- Debt Financing (71%)
- Post Ipo Debt (10%)
- Series Unknown (6%)
- Seed (6%)
- Angel (3%)
- Series A (3%)
Country Focus
- India (26%)
- Colombia (13%)
- Kenya (10%)
- United States (6%)
- Senegal (6%)
- South Africa (6%)
- Uganda (3%)
- The Netherlands (3%)
- Switzerland (3%)
- Myanmar (3%)
Industry Focus
- Financial Services
- Fintech
- Finance
- Banking
- Mobile Payments
- Small And Medium Businesses
- Energy
- Payments
- Lending
- Online Portals
Frequently Asked Questions
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