Oikocredit leads US$ 10 million equity-and-debt seed funding for Mexican fintech YoFio

Amersfoort, the Netherlands– Social investor Oikocredit is proud to announce its latest equity investment in YoFio, a fast-growing fintech platform for Mexican micro businesses. Oikocredit has led a US$ 10 million equity-plus-debt seed investment round involving 500 Global, Innogen Capital, G2 Fintech Fund, Cauris Finance and other angel investors. 

Oikocredit and its partners’ investment will support YoFio in its work of promoting financial inclusion in Mexico. Nearly 60% of private companies in Mexico are micro enterprises. Yet, despite their importance for economic growth and job creation, these small businesses are ‘invisible’ to most financial institutions and face barriers when trying to access credit. YoFio was created to unlock tech-driven and innovative sources of financing for this underserved and underbanked segment.  

YoFio’s proprietary technology and wide network of wholesaler partnerships enable an easier, faster, more competitive and more flexible offering compared to traditional banking solutions. To date, YoFio has disbursed US$ 8 million in digital loans to more than 3,500 client merchants and micro entrepreneurs with a multi-sectoral approach. It plans to close 2024 with a total portfolio of US$ 5 million. 

Alberto Bonetti Frías, CEO and co-founder of YoFio, said: “Our due diligence process showed us that Oikocredit is the long-term investor we need on our journey of providing micro enterprises with working capital to grow their business and increase their financial resilience. Oikocredit shares our vision and values. We look forward to working together to increase our impact on clients’ lives.”  

Harold Calderón Meza, Equity Officer at Oikocredit, said: “Micro,small and medium enterprises in Mexico employ 70% of the labour force, yetmany fail during their first year because they lack funding. We at Oikocredit, as part of our social objectives, work actively to reduce this financing gap.It’s why wehave partnered with YoFioto support the inclusive growth of microbusinesses in Mexico through technology and friendlier financing solutions.” 

About YoFio 

YoFio is a fast-growing Mexican fintech platform that offers financial solutions to help micro and small businesses grow through easy, fast and secure credit. Specialising in providing working capital financing to informal microgrocery stores, YoFio utilises its proprietary AI-driven underwriting model to estimate sales, free cash flow and risks of closure.