Funding Societies 59
Did you know that technology plays a major role in the agricultural sector? For farmers in Indonesia, it can make the difference between a disappointing harvest and a successful one. Beleaf researches how technology can improve farming outcomes and uses that knowledge to help farmers achieve structurally better results. With financial support from Funding Societies, the company is scaling up this approach.
The project
In 2019, Armit opened his first farm in Indonesia. This is not an ordinary farm, but a place where he researches ways to improve the yields of smallholder farmers in Indonesia.
He wanted to understand why agricultural yields in Indonesia consistently lag behind those of neighboring countries in Southeast Asia. His conclusion: many smallholder farmers lack access to high-quality seeds, modern farming techniques, and reliable financing.
Based on these findings, Armit founded Beleaf. The company supplies farmers with seeds and fertilizers and actively supports them in applying better farming methods. Technology plays a central role in this approach. Beleaf uses soil data and provides targeted guidance in the field. In addition, the company guarantees a purchase price for the harvest, allowing farmers to plan and invest without depending on intermediaries.
To apply this approach on a larger scale, Beleaf turned to Funding Societies, a fintech platform that connects SMEs in Southeast Asia with investors. With this financing, Beleaf grew from a single research farm into a scale-up that now helps thousands of farmers work toward a more stable income.
Will you give entrepreneurs the opportunity to scale up their businesses and support others in their communities?
Your investment
- Annual interest rate: 6%
- With an investment of €1,000 the expected total repayment is €1,045
- Maturity: 12 months
- Currency: EUR
Funding Societies
Impact
SMEs comprise about 60% of Southeast Asia's GDP and provide most jobs, but they face a $320B financing gap. Funding Societies has stepped in to bridge this gap, financing over €815 million through more than 3 million business loans in the last five years. Their focus lies in short-term credit, typically under 12 months, tailored to meet the needs of SMEs.
The impact of their loans is significant. About 76% of SMEs use their loans for working capital. Many acknowledge that this financing was essential to keep their businesses open and maintain their workforce. Furthermore, Funding Societies fosters women's economic empowerment by supporting female entrepreneurs, who comprise 24% of their borrowers.
Investing in Funding Societies on Lendahand promotes financial inclusion and social mobility in Southeast Asia, more specifically in Indonesia and Vietnam. With Funding Societies, you can contribute to regional development and make a real difference in people's lives.
Related blog posts
- Read the introduction of Funding Societies as an investment opportunity here.
- Want to learn more about Funding Societies? Read our email interview with CEO Kelvin Teo here.
- Curious about the impact Funding Societies and Lendahand create together? Watch our interview with Funding Societies’ COO and impact manager, Vikas, here.
Discover more - Log in or create an account
To protect our partners, certain information is only available when you are logged in. Log in, or create a free account if you are new to Lendahand!