Binance Charity and Mercy Corps Ventures Team Up 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 investment arm of 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 giving them access to capital, technical assistance and business development support.
“We are thrilled to partner with Mercy Corps Ventures to support their mission to advance financial inclusion through innovative digital solutions. The partnership perfectly expresses 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 are excited to continue this mission and support innovative entrepreneurs to solve the world’s most pressing problems through the responsible deployment of technology, says Scott Onder, Chief Investment Officer of Mercy Corps.
To date, MCV has invested in 43 early-stage companies, 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, enabling those living in frontier markets to withstand disruptions and plan for the future. The partnership between Binance Charity and MCV aims to promote 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.
In addition, MCV manages the Crypto For Good Fund, which provides grant funding to mission-driven social enterprises that leverage Web3 technology to solve the world’s pressing problems. This year’s fund 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, the Pacific Islands and the Western Balkans. Priority focus areas include access to credit for unbanked users, nature-based solutions for climate resilience, delivery of humanitarian aid, transparent supply chains and crypto-enabled wallets for underserved users. Successful applicants will receive funding along with mentoring opportunities, advice on impact measurement, 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 education and research accessible to all, and promoting 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
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 investment arm of the global development agency, Mercy Corps, we have 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, enabling those living in frontier markets to withstand disruption and plan for the future. Through capital and support, piloting new approaches, actionable insights and rigorous impact management, we catalyze the ecosystem towards smarter, more impactful investments.
Learn more at www.mercycorpsventures.vc
