How to apply to Mercy Corps Ventures as an African founder

TL;DR

Mercy Corps Ventures invests in Agritech, Climate, Fintech, and Healthtech companies at Pre-Seed and Seed, writes cheques of $50K -- $2M, and takes applications through a direct online application.

Who Mercy Corps Ventures is

Mercy Corps Ventures is a Global emerging markets (Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, South Asia, MENA) investor headquartered in Portland, OR. Its stated focus is Agritech, Climate, Fintech, and Healthtech. The thesis, in the fund's own words: Backing bold entrepreneurs building climate-resilient futures in emerging markets, from adaptive agriculture and inclusive fintech to anticipatory tech that protects vulnerable communities.

On the ground, Mercy Corps Ventures operates as a Pre-Seed and Seed investor with an Africa focus described as "Sub-Saharan Africa is a primary geography". The fund's chief investment officer is Scott Onder, alongside Toffene Kama (Africa Lead) and Ken Kou (Head of Venture Lab).

What they invest in

Stages: Pre-Seed and Seed
Sectors: Agritech, Climate, Fintech, and Healthtech
Cheque size: $50K -- $2M
Geography focus: Global emerging markets (Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, South Asia, MENA) / Yes -- Sub-Saharan Africa is a primary geography

How to apply

Apply directly at https://www.mercycorpsventures.com/contact-us. That link is the fund's own application channel, listed in their Trampoline entry as of 2026-07-29. Fill out whatever the form asks for completely: skipped fields read as a rushed application, and a rushed application is an easy first-pass reject at any fund fielding more submissions than it can meaningfully review.

Portfolio pattern

Mercy Corps Ventures's portfolio, as listed in their Trampoline fund page, includes:

Kofa (Ghana): Portable battery swapping stations providing affordable, low-carbon electricity for mobility
Ejara (Cameroon / Francophone Africa): Decentralized investment platform for savings, crypto, and fractional shares in French-speaking Africa
Payhippo (Nigeria): SME lending platform using technology to match small businesses with appropriate capital
OKO Finance (Mali / West Africa): Microinsurance for climate-vulnerable smallholder farmers
Turaco (Kenya / East Africa): Affordable health and life insurance for low-income workers

That spread gives you a sense of what a real check from Mercy Corps Ventures has funded, not just what the thesis claims it funds.

Before you apply

Have these ready before you reach out:

Deck: Check your readiness first so you know where the gaps are
Metrics dashboard: Set up your metrics dashboard so you can show real traction, not slides
Cap table
A one-line description of what your company does

FAQ

Does Mercy Corps Ventures invest in Agritech?

Yes. Agritech is listed among Mercy Corps Ventures's stated sector focus areas.

What stage does Mercy Corps Ventures typically write cheques at?

Mercy Corps Ventures invests at Pre-Seed and Seed, with cheque sizes of $50K -- $2M.

Do you need a warm intro to apply to Mercy Corps Ventures?

No. Mercy Corps Ventures takes applications through a form on their website, so a warm intro is not required to apply, though it can still help your submission stand out.

Does Mercy Corps Ventures invest outside Global emerging markets (Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, South Asia, MENA)?

Mercy Corps Ventures's Africa focus is described as "Sub-Saharan Africa is a primary geography". Check the full fund profile for the exact geographic boundaries before you apply.

Is Mercy Corps Ventures a remote or in-person fund?

Mercy Corps Ventures's format is listed as Equity investment + Venture Lab grants.