Standard Chartered Bank

Standard Chartered Bank's primary venture capital and innovation arm is SC Ventures, established in 2018. This unit operates with a dual mandate: to act as a venture builder, incubating new businesses internally, and to invest in external fintech and technology startups. SC Ventures aims to drive innovation within the financial services sector, leveraging Standard Chartered's global network and expertise to support its portfolio companies and contribute to the bank's strategic objectives.

SC Ventures focuses on a broad range of emerging technologies and business models crucial to the future of finance. Its investment thesis prioritizes areas such as blockchain, digital assets, sustainable finance solutions, and other disruptive fintech innovations. Geographically, SC Ventures aligns with Standard Chartered's core markets, concentrating its investments in companies based across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, reflecting a commitment to fostering growth in these dynamic regions. The firm typically invests across various stages, from early-stage seed rounds through to Series B.

Demonstrating its investment strategy, SC Ventures has actively participated in significant funding rounds. For instance, it joined a $20 million Series A round for Partior, a blockchain-based interbank clearing and settlement network, and contributed to a $30 million Series B for Solv, a B2B commerce platform. These investments highlight SC Ventures' capacity to deploy capital in growth-stage companies that are developing innovative solutions for the financial ecosystem, underscoring its role as a strategic partner rather than just a financial investor.