From Catapult to capital: NextFin Asia reaches first investment milestone with Indonesia's Finfra. Published Oct 30, 2026, 08:00 AM First Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia participant to receive investment through NextFin Asia LUXEMBOURG, Oct. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - 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 first company to receive investment through NextFin Asia. Photo Caption (Left to Right): Mr. Lutz Kunack, Honorary Consul to the Philippines; Ms. Anne Siebenaler, Third Secretary (AS); Ms. Véronique Dockendorf, Director for Political Affairs; Mr. Luc Poveromo, Second Secretary, Press Officer; Mr. Sam Schreiner, Ambassador, Director for ASEAN; Ms. Anne Moes, Minister-Counsellor, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy in the Philippines; Mr. Michel Leesch, Ambassador of Luxembourg to the Philippines; Mr. Pierre Ferring, Ambassador, Director for the Promotion of Foreign Trade and Investments; H.E. Xavier Bettel, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg; Ms. Isabel Chatterton, Director General, Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD); Mr. Felix Ayque, CEO/CTO of Komunidad; Mr. Kenji Yuhaku, Senior Advisor, PSOD; Mr. Claus Astrup, Director, Strategic Partnerships Division; Mr. Allister Ayque, Co-Founder & COO, Komunidad; Mr. Paul Flegler, Director, Finance Sector Group; Ms. Lisette Cipriano, ADB Principal Digital Finance Specialist; Ms. Pang Sittakaradej, Head of Seed, ADB Ventures; Mr. Daniel Hersson, Head of ADB Ventures. 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 first: a development bank joining forces with a fintech accelerator to invest in fintechs driving financial inclusion and social impact. A unique and bold model, made possible by the confidence the Luxembourg Government and ADB showed in Catapult SE Asia. With this first 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 financial 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 first 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 fintech 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 efficiently. Through a single platform, lenders can originate, underwrite, service, and collect loans without having to build local operations from the ground up, helping financial institutions reach more borrowers, including the underserved. The platform also enables embedded finance 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 financial 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 financing they need to grow, while lenders face significant 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 financing through formal channels." In addition to investment, Finfra will continue to benefit from the wider NextFin Asia ecosystem, including connections with financial institutions, industry experts, and partners working to advance financial inclusion across the region. Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia is gearing up for its next cohort of promising fintech startups. Applications already open. Visit Catapult: Inclusion SE ASia #4 webpage to learn more and to apply! About the LHoFT Foundation The LHoFT Foundation is a public-private sector initiative that drives technology innovation for Luxembourg's financial services industry, connecting the domestic and international fintech community to develop solutions that shape the world of tomorrow. The LHoFT Foundation offers an innovation platform that provides fintech 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 fintech ecosystem in Luxembourg. 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 financial inclusion throughout Southeast Asia. Through close cooperation between its affiliate and the Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK), the company upholds rigorous regulatory standards, expanding financing opportunities across the country. 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 Pacific. It provides early-stage capital, strategic support, and access to ADB's network, helping startups scale innovative solutions in sectors such as inclusive fintech, 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. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Colombian FinMaq raises US$6.5 million in a Series A led by Accion to finance machinery for SMEs. FinMaq, the Colombian fintech that finances machinery and equipment for SMEs and independent workers, closed a US$6.5 million Series A led by Accion, the global nonprofit organization dedicated to financial inclusion. Spanish fund manager Mundi Ventures joined as a new investor, and ALIVE Ventures and 30N Ventures participated again, having already invested in the previous round. In January 2025, FinMaq had raised US$29 million in equity and debt in a pre-Series A whose equity tranche was led by ALIVE Ventures, with Accial Capital and Iris in the debt tranche. FinMaq finances the purchase of productive assets directly at the point of sale, through alliances with distributors, proprietary risk-assessment models, and a 100% digital process. It offers loans, lease-to-own, and after-sales solutions to food producers, manufacturers, construction equipment operators, clinics, rural veterinarians, carriers, and small farmers. In Colombia, MSMEs represent more than 99% of companies and generate 79% of employment, but nearly 40% lack access to credit to buy the machinery they need to grow. The fintech was founded in 2014 by Diego Sanz de Santamaría (CEO) and Diego Acero, both with backgrounds in investment banking; it was completely restructured in 2019. Point of sale and proprietary models: financing without a bank history. FinMaq's model starts from a specific premise: traditional banking does not finance small tickets for customers without a formal credit history, even when the loan is destined for an income-generating asset. The company solves this by partnering with machinery and equipment distributors and placing financing at the time of purchase, with proprietary credit-assessment models and digital processes that do not depend on conventional banking history. The results of an independent 60 Decibels survey of its customers support the thesis: 72% accessed financing for productive assets for the first time through FinMaq, 83% increased their productivity after purchasing the equipment, 86% improved their business prospects, and 70% said their quality of life improved. "A productive asset, such as an industrial oven, construction machinery, or a delivery truck, can transform a small business's income-generating capacity, but for many people in Colombia, the lack of affordable credit keeps those assets out of reach," said John Fischer, Accion's director of investments. From US$100 million to US$200 million: the goal for the next 18 months. With the new capital, FinMaq aims to double its operation: surpass US$200 million in cumulative disbursements and add more than 5,000 new customers among independent workers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses with limited access to banking, all within 18 months. The expansion includes adding new productive segments to a portfolio that is currently balanced between rural and urban areas. "Closing this Series A round is a testament to our team's hard work and the enormous opportunity ahead of us. Having Accion lead this round, with Mundi Ventures joining and the continued confidence of ALIVE Ventures and 30N Ventures, gives us a dream team of investors to drive our growth," said Diego Sanz de Santamaría, CEO of FinMaq. The deal comes at a time when productive credit for SMEs is attracting institutional capital across the region: in August, Salvadoran fintech Ábaco closed US$53 million to scale its digital factoring platform, while Spain's Anzi Finance launched a US$25 million plan to expand its credit guarantee infrastructure in Latin America.

Colombian fintech FinMaq has closed a $6.5 million Series A round led by Accion, with participation from Mundi Ventures. Existing investors ALIVE Ventures and 30N Ventures also returned. FinMaq finances machinery and equipment for small businesses that traditional banks often ignore. It offers credit and lease-to-own plans at the point of sale through distributor partnerships and a fully digital process. About 40% of Colombian micro, small and medium-sized enterprises lack access to such credit. Since 2019, the company has served more than 1,600 clients and disbursed over $100 million. It plans to double its operations within 18 months, reaching more than $200 million in disbursements and 5,000 additional clients. "Consolidating this Series A is a testament to our team's work," said chief executive officer Diego Sanz de Santamaría.