Endeavor Catalyst, the co-investment fund affiliated with Endeavor Global, is raising a new $300 million fund to invest in high-growth startups across Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Why it matters: This fundraising effort comes at a challenging time for many venture investors in emerging markets, who are experiencing sluggish exits, fewer follow-on rounds, and a constrained global capital environment.
The details:
- The new fund is Endeavor Catalyst’s fifth and largest fund yet, and is in the early stages of fundraising.
- Endeavor Catalyst has initiated early conversations with limited partners, including family offices, development finance institutions, and tech founders within its global network.
- If successful, this round of funding would bring Endeavor Catalyst’s total assets under management to over $800 million.
- Endeavor Catalyst invests exclusively in founders selected by Endeavor Global’s network, referred to as “high-impact entrepreneurs.”
Founded in 2012, Endeavor Catalyst addresses a persistent gap in venture capital within developing markets: access to growth-stage funding.
By the numbers:
- Over its four funds, Endeavor Catalyst has raised over $540 million and made more than 360 investments across 34 countries.
- The portfolio includes 63 companies now valued at over $1 billion.
- Over 30 of its portfolio companies have exited via IPO or acquisition.
- Approximately 30% of the LPs across the first four funds are “Endeavor Entrepreneurs.”
What they’re saying:
- “Endeavor Catalyst’s work is crucial not just for its own returns but for the broader venture ecosystem. As one of the few global VCs with a mandate focused on emerging markets, it plays an important role in showcasing the investment potential of tech markets outside of Silicon Valley.” – Sources familiar with the matter
The bottom line: Despite challenges in the global venture landscape, Endeavor Catalyst is confident that its strategy of early support, global mentorship, and flexible capital can help high-growth startups succeed in emerging markets.