IFC INVESTS US$15 MILLION IN NAZCA III TO PROMOTE TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED BUSINESSES IN MEXICO AND LATIN AMERICA

The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a   member of the World Bank Group (WBG), has   announced a US$15 million investment in Nazca III, a venture capital (VC) fund focused on investing in early-stage technology companies seeking to transform Mexican and Latin American industries through tech-enabled business models. Nazca III will be managed by Nazca, a VC firm founded in 2014 focused on backing Latin American entrepreneurs who are building transformative technology-enabled businesses in sectors like fintech, mobility, education, health and e-commerce.

Jennifer McLeod Petrini, IFC’s regional lead for funds and disruptive technology investments in Latin America stated: “IFC continues to expand its reach in Latin America to tech-focused funds investing in companies in exciting verticals and across various stages of development. Our investment in Nazca III allows us to expand our digital footprint into Mexico and to work with a talented team in what is still a nascent, but rapidly growing ecosystem in Mexico.”

Target

Equity financing for technology companies in Latin America and the Caribbean is scarce across the spectrum, from seed (early stage) to growth stage companies. Nazca III has reached its target size of US$150 million and will invest in approximately twenty early stage and seed investments that seek to transform Mexican or Latin American industries through tech-enabled business models.

Jaime Zunzunegui, managing partner of Nazca, said: “Nazca is proud to have IFC as a recurring institutional lead investor. IFC´s backing has been a catalyst for our investor base and a source of shared playbooks and industry insights to transform industries across Latin America. We believe they come at the right time to the right region. This consolidates our commitment to deliver good returns to our limited partner base.”

IFC supports early-stage ventures in developing countries that are creating new markets, transforming industries and driving inclusive growth while realizing strong returns. By investing in best-in-class entrepreneurs and partnering with top-tier VC funds, IFC supports the development of the asset class across emerging markets that fosters private sector growth. The organization   works   in more than one hundred   countries, using our capital, expertise and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries.