DFC announces $25 million equity investment in Ukrainian fund to support technology enabled small businesses
KYIV, Ukraine – The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) Chief Executive Officer Scott Nathan traveled to Kyiv on Friday where he joined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to announce a new investment in the country. He also met with Prime Minister Shmyhal, several Deputy Prime Ministers and other senior Ukrainian officials, and peer development finance institutions. to support economic growth and resilience in Ukraine. And he met with private sector leaders to discuss specific investment opportunities in the infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and small business sectors.
During his trip, CEO Nathan emphasized DFC’s commitment to using all available tools to mobilize private sector investment in Ukraine’s economy including political and war risk insurance, equity and debt financing, and technical assistance. CEO Nathan signed a $25 million DFC equity investment for Horizon Capital Growth Fund IV alongside colleagues from USAID and the U.S. State Department, leading European development finance institution representatives, and Horizon Capital CEO Lenna Koszarny. The investment will provide growth capital to fast-growing, technology-enabled small and medium size businesses primarily in Ukraine.
"Access to capital is the key to economic growth and the lifeblood of business. That is true in normal times and especially true for Ukrainian businesses that are continuing to operate, pay their employees, and plan for the future during Russia’s brutal war. I am proud of DFC’s equity investment in Horizon Capital’s latest fund, to provide growth stage companies in Ukraine with the capital they need to create jobs and opportunities for the Ukrainian people across important sectors. I was also honored to have the opportunity to meet President Zelenskyy and pleased to continue DFC’s engagement with leaders in Ukraine’s government and private sector to discuss how we can use our tools to mobilize private capital in support of the country’s economy today and for the long term," DFC CEO Scott Nathan said. “DFC is open for business in Ukraine today. We were investing in Ukraine before the war, and we will be here long after this illegal and unjustifiable war ends.”
On the heels of their meeting in Washington earlier this month, CEO Nathan and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal discussed the importance of strengthening the U.S.-Ukraine economic partnership and expanding investment opportunities in the country. CEO Nathan also participated in a roundtable discussion with members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine that focused on current business development opportunities and recovery efforts in the wake Russia’s ongoing aggression.
CEO Nathan joined Deputy Prime Minister for Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov to discuss investing in Ukraine’s technology infrastructure. He also met with Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine Minister of Communities, Territories, and Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov and Mustafa Nayyem, Head of the State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine. Together they discussed the potential for DFC to invest across sectors, including in infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and small business development. CEO Nathan had a productive conversation with Deputy Head of the Office of the President Shurma and Deputy Minister of Economy Gryban on strategies to mobilize private sector capital into Ukraine today and for the long-term.
Today’s deal announcement follows CEO Nathan’s most recent visit to Kyiv in January, where he announced DFC’s intent to mobilize $1 billion of investment in Ukraine. In December 2022, CEO Nathan traveled to Lviv to announce DFC’s first two investments in Ukraine since the war began. During each of his visits, CEO Nathan emphasized the United States’ enduring and unwavering support for Ukraine, the steps DFC is taking to mobilize capital to the private sector, and the importance of Ukraine’s long-term commitment to high economic standards and overall reform efforts.
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The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) partners with the private sector to finance solutions to the most critical challenges facing the developing world today. We invest across sectors including energy, healthcare, critical infrastructure, and technology. DFC also provides financing for small businesses and women entrepreneurs in order to create jobs in emerging markets. DFC investments adhere to high standards and respect the environment, human rights, and worker rights.