Emerging markets represent a $1 trillion opportunity, and Verda Ventures is leading the charge to close the financial access gap. With the launch of the $40 million MiniPay Fund in partnership with Opera, Verda Ventures is fueling a new generation of fintech startups designed to revolutionize financial services in underserved regions. By focusing on scalable, founder-led solutions, this fund is poised to reshape the future of banking, payments, and wealth-building for millions.
Addressing a Global Challenge
Financial exclusion limits opportunities for individuals, small businesses, and communities. Recognizing this challenge, Verda Ventures partnered with Opera as an anchor investor and brought together leading supporters like Jump Crypto, Borderless Capital, and former Citigroup chairman Richard Parsons. Together, they’ve launched the MiniPay Fund to support startups that can create tangible, scalable solutions.
At the heart of this initiative is MiniPay, a mobile wallet spun out of Opera and powered by the Celo blockchain. MiniPay allows users to send and receive money instantly via phone numbers, making financial transactions seamless and accessible even in areas with limited banking infrastructure. Since its launch in September 2023, MiniPay has grown to 4.8 million users, leveraging Opera’s massive 320+ million monthly active user base.
Why MiniPay?
MiniPay is more than just a wallet—it’s a gateway to financial access. By integrating stablecoins, MiniPay provides users with secure, low-cost financial tools that combat local currency volatility. This is especially critical in emerging markets where traditional banking services are often expensive and inaccessible. MiniPay’s integration with Opera Mini, which already has over 100 million users in Africa, positions it as a powerful tool for addressing financial exclusion at scale.
Alex Witt at Verda Ventures emphasizes the potential:
“Partnering with Opera allows us to leverage stablecoin-powered solutions to bridge the financial access gap. MiniPay is uniquely positioned to empower individuals and businesses with essential financial services at a fraction of the cost.”
A $1 Trillion Opportunity
The MiniPay Fund focuses on three key areas that drive financial growth in emerging markets:
- Mobile Banking: Delivering essential services to the unbanked population.
- SME Lending: Providing vital funding to over 65 million small and medium-sized enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Investments: Offering tools to counter local currency risks and enable wealth-building.
These areas are critical to unlocking the full potential of financial inclusion, creating opportunities for individuals and businesses alike.
An Ecosystem of Growth
What sets the MiniPay Fund apart is its ecosystem-first approach. Portfolio companies benefit from immediate access to MiniPay’s infrastructure, Opera’s vast distribution network, and the technical resources of the Celo Foundation. This creates a streamlined path for startups to build, scale, and deliver impact from day one.
Startups like Pretium, Partna, Mural, and Mento Labs have already joined the MiniPay ecosystem, driving financial innovation through integrations that expand access to underserved populations. With Verda’s hands-on support, these companies are scaling faster and reaching broader audiences than ever before.
Why Emerging Markets and Blockchain?
Emerging markets are ripe for disruption. Stablecoin-powered solutions and decentralized infrastructure provide a unique opportunity to overcome the limitations of traditional banking. Blockchain-based services can offer secure, low-cost alternatives to traditional systems, empowering billions of people who are excluded from the global economy.
As Alpen Sheth, Partner at Borderless Capital, puts it:
“Scaling requires building trust with billions of people worldwide, focusing on genuinely addressing their needs. We’re thrilled to partner with Verda, Opera, Jump, and other outstanding players committed to improving global financial access.”
Join the Movement
The MiniPay Fund is more than an investment vehicle—it’s a catalyst for change. By empowering fintech startups with the tools, resources, and networks they need, Verda Ventures is accelerating a new era of financial access. For founders building solutions in payments, identity, remittances, or stablecoin banking, the MiniPay Fund offers an unparalleled opportunity to make an impact.
If you’re a founder with a vision for scalable financial solutions, Verda Ventures invites you to connect and explore partnership opportunities. Together, we can create a world where financial services are accessible to everyone.
About Verda Ventures
Verda Ventures invests in high-growth fintech and blockchain companies transforming financial services in emerging markets. By leveraging technical support, capital, and access to the MiniPay ecosystem, Verda Ventures helps startups scale faster and deliver impactful solutions to underserved populations.
For more information or to explore opportunities, get in touch with us and become part of the movement reshaping global finance.