Manulife & Kiva Team Up for Microfinance; Renewable Metals Gets Climate Tech Boost
Manulife and Kiva have joined forces to finance microentrepreneurs and underserved communities worldwide, with a focus on Asia and other emerging markets. Meanwhile, Australian lithium battery recycling company Renewable Metals has received a lead investment from Investible's Climate Tech Fund.
Bizongo, an Indian packaging startup, has secured USD 50 million in a Series E funding round, bringing its valuation to USD 980 million. The funds will support its expansion and growth. In another development, Kita Agritech has raised USD 3 million in seed funding to digitalize agriculture supply chains in the Philippines.
DPDzero, an Indian electric vehicle charging infrastructure company, has raised USD 3.25 million in a seed funding round led by Blume Ventures and IndiaQuotient. The funds will be used to expand its charging infrastructure network. Similarly, FreightFox, a digital freight forwarding platform, has secured USD 600,000 in a seed funding round led by Aeravti Ventures.
Investree, an Indonesian digital lending platform, has announced Series D financing of up to USD 230.8 million through a joint venture in Doha with JTA International Holding. The joint venture, JTA Investree Doha Consultancy, will act as Investree's hub in the Middle East, offering digital lending services to SMEs in the region and Central Asia. The funds will be used to expand Investree's product portfolio and explore collaborations to provide solutions for SMEs.
These investments and partnerships reflect a growing trend of global cooperation and innovation in fintech, sustainability, and digital infrastructure. They aim to support underserved communities, promote sustainable practices, and drive economic growth through technological advancements.
