|
PRNewswire
Luxembourg, October 30: The Luxembourg House of Financial Technology (LHoFT) today announced that Finfra, an Indonesia-based lending-as-a-service platform and participant in its Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia program, is the rst company to receive investment through NextFin Asia. Finfra raised new capital in a Series A extension funding round from ADB Ventures, the venture capital arm of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), through the NextFin Asia fund, alongside existing investors Cento Ventures and Accion Ventures. The funding will support Finfra's growth, strengthen its technology platform, and support its expansion into new markets. Launched in February 2026, NextFin Asia is the dedicated investment fund supporting LHoFT's Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia acceleration program. It is a partnership between LHoFT, ADB Ventures, and the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade (MFA). "When we launched NextFin Asia, we called it a world rst: a development bank joining forces with a ntech accelerator to invest in ntechs driving nancial inclusion and social impact. A unique and bold model, made possible by the condence the Luxembourg Government and ADB showed in Catapult SE Asia. With this rst investment, that ambition is now becoming reality," said Alex Panican, Acting CEO of the LHoFT. The fund invests in early-stage tech companies helping to advance nancial inclusion across Southeast Asia. By combining the program's acceleration and ecosystem support with access to investment opportunities through ADB Ventures, NextFin Asia helps promising companies access the capital and support they need to grow. Finfra participated in Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia in 2024. "Finfra's progression from Catapult participant to the rst company to receive investment through NextFin Asia highlights the high value of combining acceleration support with access to capital. It is a very encouraging early example of how the initiative can help promising ntech companies expand their reach and impact across the region," added Annabelle Fonteneau, Head of Acceleration Programs at the LHoFT. Finfra provides the infrastructure and operational capabilities lenders need to launch and scale lending products more eciently. Through a single platform, lenders can originate, underwrite, service, and collect loans without having to build local operations from the ground up, helping nancial institutions reach more borrowers, including the underserved. The platform also enables embedded nance models, allowing businesses and digital platforms to integrate credit into existing customer journeys and opening new pathways for small businesses to access working capital. "Access to credit remains one of the biggest challenges facing small businesses across Southeast Asia," said Markus Prommik, Founder and CEO of Finfra. "Our mission is to make lending infrastructure more accessible so that nancial institutions can serve more businesses and individuals that have traditionally been overlooked. We're grateful for the support of our investors and excited to continue building the infrastructure that helps expand access to capital for millions of small businesses in the region." "Many small businesses still struggle to access the nancing they need to grow, while lenders face signicant costs and complexity in reaching them," said Yichu Zhang, Investment Specialist, ADB Ventures. "Finfra is helping close that gap by making it easier for lenders to launch and scale lending products. Through NextFin Asia, we're pleased to support a solution that can help more small businesses access nancing through formal channels." In addition to investment, Finfra will continue to benet from the wider NextFin Asia ecosystem, including connections with nancial institutions, industry experts, and partners working to advance nancial inclusion across the region. Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia is gearing up for its next cohort of promising ntech startups. Applications already open. Visit Catapult: Inclusion SE ASia #4 webpage to learn more and to apply! Follow us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/the-lhoft About the LHoFT Foundation The LHoFT Foundation is a public-private sector initiative that drives technology innovation for Luxembourg's nancial services industry, connecting the domestic and international ntech community to develop solutions that shape the world of tomorrow. The LHoFT Foundation offers an innovation platform that provides ntech startups with access to talent, expertise, funding, and market opportunities. The LHoFT Foundation also works with government agencies, regulators, and industry associations to foster a supportive and inclusive ntech ecosystem in Luxembourg. For more information, please visit: https://lhoft.com/ About Finfra Established in 2022, Finfra serves as a prominent Indonesian lending-as-a-service platform, allowing enterprises to embed customizable credit offerings directly into their customer journeys. Its API-driven infrastructure delivers end-to-end loan management, automated underwriting, risk analytics, and institutional capital access, helping digital platforms generate additional revenues while deepening customer connection. Supported by prominent venture funds including Cento Ventures, Accion Ventures, and ZVC, Finfra actively promotes nancial inclusion throughout Southeast Asia. Through close cooperation between its aliate and the Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK), the company upholds rigorous regulatory standards, expanding nancing opportunities across the country. For additional information, please visit: https://nfra.io/ About ADB Ventures ADB Ventures is the venture arm of the Asian Development Bank, supporting technology-driven startups that deliver measurable social, climate, and development impact across Asia and the Pacic. It provides early-stage capital, strategic support, and access to ADB's network, helping startups scale innovative solutions in sectors such as inclusive ntech, climate tech, sustainable agriculture, and clean energy. By crowding-in private capital for sustainable development, ADB Ventures accelerates progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals in emerging markets. For more information, please visit: https://ventures.adb.org (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
|