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Symbiotics Group

Europe, Geneve, Switzerland, Geneva

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
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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 Symbiotics Group frequently co-invest with?

FMO
Europe, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands, The Hague
Co-Investments: 4
Norfund
Europe, Oslo, Norway, Oslo
Co-Investments: 3
Comfama
South America, Antioquia, Colombia, Medellín
Co-Investments: 2
U.S. International Development Finance Corp
North America, District of Columbia, United States, Washington
Co-Investments: 1
International Finance Corporation
North America, District of Columbia, United States, Washington
Co-Investments: 3
Triodos Bank
Europe, Utrecht, The Netherlands, Zeist
Co-Investments: 2
Stanbic IBTC Bank
Africa, Lagos, Nigeria, Lagos
Co-Investments: 2
responsAbility Investments
Europe, Zurich, Switzerland, Zürich
Co-Investments: 3
CDC Group
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Co-Investments: 2
Calvert Impact Capital
North America, Maryland, United States, Bethesda
Co-Investments: 1

Which angels does Symbiotics Group often collaborate with?

SM
Europe, Zurich, Switzerland, Zürich
Shared Deals: 1
Brijesh Agrawal
Asia, Uttar Pradesh, India, Noida
Shared Deals: 1
Kunal Shah
Asia, Karnataka, India, Bengaluru
Shared Deals: 1
Aman Gupta
Asia, Delhi, India, New Delhi
Shared Deals: 1
Sameer Mehta
Asia, Maharashtra, India, Mumbai
Shared Deals: 1
Ashneer seth Grover
Asia, Delhi, India, Delhi
Shared Deals: 1
Suhail Sameer
Asia, Delhi, India
Shared Deals: 1
MP
Europe, Switzerland
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by Symbiotics Group?

Dugar Finance and Investments

Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Dugar Finance and Investments is a financial service firm that offers car loans, property loans, refinance, and investment services.

Financial ExchangesFinancial ServicesPersonal FinanceReal Estate Investment
Debt FinancingJun 17, 2025
Amount Raised: $3,000,000
DFCC Bank PLC

Colombo, Western, Sri Lanka

DFCC Bank offers financial and banking services for the health, education, and construction sectors.

BankingFinanceFinancial Services
Post Ipo DebtMay 23, 2025
Amount Raised: $12,000,000
Lorien Finance

New York, New York, United States

Lorien Finance is a cross-border FinTech platform providing banking and lending products to the immigrants moving to the US

BankingFinancial ServicesFinTech
SeedFeb 27, 2025
Amount Raised: $2,250,000
Credit Fair

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Credit Fair operates as a consumer lending fintech startup.

Financial ServicesFinTech
Debt FinancingFeb 18, 2025
Amount Raised: $5,000,000
Maxxa

Santiago, Region Metropolitana, Chile

Maxxa provides SMB clients with lending + software solutions in Latam.

Commercial InsuranceFinancial ServicesFinTechPaymentsSoftware
Debt FinancingJan 23, 2025
Amount Raised: $10,600,000
Varthana

Bangalore, Karnataka, India

Varthana is a financial services company for schools and students.

BankingEducationFinanceFinancial Services
Debt FinancingSep 1, 2023
Amount Raised: $2,500,000
Khan Bank

Ulaanbaatar, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Khan Bank is a universal bank and a customer of FMO.

Financial ServicesInsurance
Debt FinancingJun 6, 2023
Amount Raised: $10,000,000
AMK Microfinance Institution

Phnom Penh, Phnum Penh, Cambodia

AMK Microfinance Institution Plc. (AMK) traced back to Concern Worldwide’s (Concern) microcredit interventions in the 1990s.

FinanceFinancial ServicesLeasingMobile Apps
Debt FinancingApr 5, 2023
Amount Raised: $7,500,000
Accial Capital

Miami, Florida, United States

Accial Capital is an impact-focused, tech-enabled investor in small business and consumer loan portfolios in emerging markets

Asset ManagementFinancial ServicesFinTech
Series UnknownMar 9, 2023
Amount Raised: $35,000,000
Mufin Green Finance

Delhi, Delhi, India

Mufin Green Finance is an NBFC that specialises in the electric vehicle (EV) market.

Electric VehicleFinancial Services
Post Ipo DebtFeb 15, 2023
Amount Raised: $64,055,239