We use basic cookies on our website so it can function correctly. By accessing and using this website, you agree to our terms of use and our privacy policy.

Confirm

productivity

investment thesis

Financial inclusion and productivity are main drivers for sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and societal progress. However, there is a widespread lack of access to finance and business productivity, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Also, basic infrastructure supporting technologies, communications, transportation, and financing that individuals and businesses rely on is not universally available, hindering economic and societal advancement further. Lightrock believes that enabling universal access to better financing, technology and innovation will make value chains, particularly in legacy sectors, and the corresponding businesses more efficient and productive, allowing them to further increase quality and access of essential products and services to underserved segments of the population while at the same time creating more jobs and improving livelihoods.
‍
Within this theme, we invest in solutions that are transforming finance to serve individuals and businesses better and promoting the adoption of technology and digitisation to increase their productivity.

go to people theme
go to planet theme

portfolio impact

1.3m

SMEs supported to increase productivity

1.8bn

USD
of loans disbursed to SMEs

25k

businesses with improved customer communication

154k

small merchants provided with better payment solution
Transforming Finance
Digital Business Infrastructure
Impact Objectives
Improving access to and use of responsible financial services for individuals and SMEs
Promoting an inclusive and sustainable financial sector
Fostering the adoption of technology in financial products and services
Promoting financial health and literacy
Theory of change
Problem
One out of three adults globally still do not have a bank account (Worldbank, 2017)
‍
SMEs are facing a formal finance gap of USD 5.2 trillion p.a. (Worldbank, 2021)
Solution
Technological upgrading across the financial value chain
Digital is key to increasing access
Focus on responsible practices to minimize risk of negative impacts
Innovative solutions to unlock sources of capital
Outcomes
Increased individual productivity and economic opportunities leading to improved livelihoods and resilience
Higher business productivity and increased operational efficiency
Economic inclusion of SMEs
Sustained and new employment
Business model
Tech-driven financial services providers targeting underserved segments of the population and small businesses
Innovative financial value chain operators and service providers offering enabling tools
Digital lending platorms
Portfolio
See Lightrock's productivity portfolio
Main SDGs and targets
1.4 access to basic services, new technology and financial services, including microfinance
9.3 increase access to financial services for SMEs and their integration into value chains
Additional SDGs
Impact Objectives
Transforming inefficient legacy sectors by fostering better business models and improved infrastructure
Increasing business productivity and efficiency through the adoption of technology and digitization
Theory of change
Problem
There is a widespread lack of business productivity hindering economic growth and social progress
Solution
Promote technology, big data, artificial intelligence (AI),automation and digitization to enable economic inclusion and sustainable productivity
Take an ecosystem approach to drive value creation and foster innovation
Outcomes
Increased business efficiency e.g., by allowing employees to do more productive and value enhancing tasks
Secondary positive outcomes for end consumers, employment, livelihoods
Optimized resource management and capital allocation
Business model
Tech-enabled tools to support efficient business operations
Enabling businesses that promote automation, big data, AI and digitization as a force of good
Portfolio
see all productivity portfolio
Main SDGs and targets
8.2 achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation
Additional SDGs

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod

Read More
Approach
ImpactPortfolioAboutTeamNewsContact

recent
news & updates

March 25, 2025
company news
Lightrock co-leads funding round for AMBOSS

Heading

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

DenyAccept
March 25, 2025
company news
Lightrock co-leads funding round for AMBOSS
February 28, 2025
company news
Samir Abhyankar joins Lightrock as Partner & Head of India

Heading

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

DenyAccept
February 28, 2025
company news
Samir Abhyankar joins Lightrock as Partner & Head of India
February 20, 2025
company news
Finland's first industrial-scale green hydrogen plant goes into operation with Sunfire's electrolyser

Heading

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

DenyAccept
February 20, 2025
company news
Finland's first industrial-scale green hydrogen plant goes into operation with Sunfire's electrolyser
February 19, 2025
portfolio news
CMR Surgical reports more than 30,000 patients treated with Versius

Heading

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

DenyAccept
February 19, 2025
portfolio news
CMR Surgical reports more than 30,000 patients treated with Versius
see more news
October 31, 2024
company news
Head of Impact LatAm Tatiana Sasson discusses the impact investment opportunities ready to seize in Brazil
October 31, 2024
company news
Head of Impact LatAm Tatiana Sasson discusses the impact investment opportunities ready to seize in Brazil
latin america
October 14, 2024
portfolio news
Dock partners with Ant International to drive financial inclusion with innovative credit tech solutions
October 14, 2024
portfolio news
Dock partners with Ant International to drive financial inclusion with innovative credit tech solutions
latin america
October 9, 2024
portfolio news
Creditas founder & CEO discusses Brazil's new private loan bill
October 9, 2024
portfolio news
Creditas founder & CEO discusses Brazil's new private loan bill
latin america
October 1, 2024
portfolio news
Buser bets on technology to improve safety and reduce delays by up to 62%
October 1, 2024
portfolio news
Buser bets on technology to improve safety and reduce delays by up to 62%
latin america
November 27, 2024
portfolio news
Nigeria's Vice President Shettima promises to be the “chief promoter” of Moniepoint
November 27, 2024
portfolio news
Nigeria's Vice President Shettima promises to be the “chief promoter” of Moniepoint
africa
November 21, 2024
portfolio news
Moniepoint crowned Financial Inclusion Champion Of The Year
November 21, 2024
portfolio news
Moniepoint crowned Financial Inclusion Champion Of The Year
africa
October 29, 2024
portfolio news
Moniepoint raises $110m in its Series C funding round and gains unicorn status
October 29, 2024
portfolio news
Moniepoint raises $110m in its Series C funding round and gains unicorn status
africa
October 17, 2024
portfolio news
Moniepoint’s CEO named Outstanding Fintech Personality Of The Year
October 17, 2024
portfolio news
Moniepoint’s CEO named Outstanding Fintech Personality Of The Year
africa
March 25, 2025
company news
Lightrock co-leads funding round for AMBOSS
March 25, 2025
company news
Lightrock co-leads funding round for AMBOSS
europe
February 20, 2025
company news
Finland's first industrial-scale green hydrogen plant goes into operation with Sunfire's electrolyser
February 20, 2025
company news
Finland's first industrial-scale green hydrogen plant goes into operation with Sunfire's electrolyser
europe
February 19, 2025
portfolio news
CMR Surgical reports more than 30,000 patients treated with Versius
February 19, 2025
portfolio news
CMR Surgical reports more than 30,000 patients treated with Versius
europe
January 14, 2025
portfolio news
CMR Surgical appoints Massimiliano Colella as Chief Executive Officer
January 14, 2025
portfolio news
CMR Surgical appoints Massimiliano Colella as Chief Executive Officer
europe
February 28, 2025
company news
Samir Abhyankar joins Lightrock as Partner & Head of India
February 28, 2025
company news
Samir Abhyankar joins Lightrock as Partner & Head of India
india
January 17, 2025
portfolio news
Axio to be acquired by Amazon
January 17, 2025
portfolio news
Axio to be acquired by Amazon
india
January 6, 2025
company news
Lightrock invests in SolarSquare
January 6, 2025
company news
Lightrock invests in SolarSquare
india
November 19, 2024
portfolio news
Scaler’s School of Technology receives double the number of applications for its flagship undergraduate programme
November 19, 2024
portfolio news
Scaler’s School of Technology receives double the number of applications for its flagship undergraduate programme
india

sign up to our newsletter

Thank you for signing up.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
TermsPrivacyPolicies & Disclosures
Copyright 2025