The Last Mile Money Accelerator
We partner with high-growth startups in emerging markets to scale digital commerce and financial services for underserved communities.
We help startups reach product-market fit faster with resources and design support from experts in design, technology, and the last mile.
Get in touch if your organization is interested in scaling support to startups.
FOCUS AREASDIGITIZING FINANCIAL LIVES
How might we embed digital financial services into moments of everyday life, to improve wealth and prosperity for all?
STRENGTHENING ON & OFF RAMPS
How might we create accessible and viable pathways for people to switch between digital and physical money?
BUILDING DIGITAL & FINANCIAL CONFIDENCE
How might we build digital and financial confidence among new internet users to increase adoption and use of formal financial services.
WHAT WE PROVIDE
Tailored design support
Access weekly office hours to unpack a current and urgent product challenge, with the potential of extending into 4-6 week design sprints with a fulltime team of IDEO designers.
Flexible capital
Receive US$ 50K of non-dilutive capital to build and pilot a prototype to include underserved communities in digital financial services.
Powerful mentorship
Get access to our network of mentors from telcos, FMCGs, technology firms, investors, and other organizations.
Fundraising guidance
Get 1:1 coaching to develop a fundraising strategy and narrative, as well as introductions to the IDEO network.
OUR TEAM
SELECTED MENTORS
Prashanthi Ravanavarapu
Head of Product Experiences, PayPal
Pheodor Mundia
Head of Marketing, East & South Africa, Upfield
Hector Bartlett
Managing Partner, One Day Yes
Kolawole Osinowo
CEO, Baobab - Nigeria
Kartik Singhal
Product Manager, PayTM
Charlotte Lieberman
VP of UX Content Design, JP Morgan Chase
Gideon Abate
Head of Product, Paga
Mansi Gupta
Founder, Unconform
Anouk Heilen
Head of Social Sustainability, Unilever
Hayden Simmons
Emerging Market Fintech Expert & VC
Michel Hanouch
Financial Inclusion Expert
BY THE NUMBERS
19
startups accelerated
17
countries represented
10,000,000+
customers reached
OUR STARTUP PORTFOLIO
Applications for the 2023 Last Mile Money Accelerator are now closed.
You can explore our Digital Confidence Toolkit, Design Library and read further about our work with startups in previous Accelerators on our Medium page.
You can stay updated on upcoming public resources, webinars, and future Accelerators on our Substack.
Design Spotlights
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Increasing financial inclusion by future-proofing mobile money agents in Africa
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Collateralizing remittances to increase access to digital credit for low-income families in Mexico
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Designing a radically transparent and responsible loan eligibility process for mobile money agents in Uganda and beyond
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Converting delivery drivers into mobile money agents
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Launching a savings and investment product for underserved customers
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Digitizing commerce for women in low income locales