Yango Group has launched Yango Ventures, a $20 million corporate venture fund aimed at backing early-stage startups across Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, North Africa, Pakistan (MENAP), and other emerging markets where the company operates.
The fund will focus on Seed to Series B investments in online-to-offline (O2O) platforms, B2B SaaS, and fintech sectors. It plans to scale its capital base over time in line with regional entrepreneurial growth.
The move aligns with Yango Group’s broader strategy to support tech-driven local innovation in high-growth regions. The company said the fund will provide both capital and operational support through its network, infrastructure and industry expertise.
“We’re sharing our expertise and network to help startups scale, thrive, and drive meaningful change in their communities,” said Daniil Shuleyko, CEO of Yango Group.
Yango Ventures will target startups that promote digitalisation and economic development in markets where Yango has a direct presence. According to the company, the fund is intended to foster sustainable business models that contribute to long-term ecosystem growth.
The initiative comes as venture capital investment into emerging markets continues to rebound, particularly in fintech and SaaS sectors. Data from PitchBook shows that investor interest in frontier markets is rising, especially where digital infrastructure and mobile penetration are expanding rapidly.
Yango Ventures’ advisory board includes technology and business leaders with experience scaling products in mobility, entertainment, artificial intelligence, and digital financial services. The fund will also organise local networking events and training programmes to support startup ecosystems.
The launch follows similar moves by other global tech companies expanding their venture arms in Africa and Asia. Recent examples include Google’s Africa Investment Fund and Prosus Ventures’ increased activity in India and Southeast Asia.
Yango operates across several verticals including ride-hailing, logistics, fintech, and entertainment. The launch of its venture arm marks its latest effort to embed itself deeper into the economies where it operates while nurturing the next wave of local tech entrepreneurs.
