MDIF Ventures

Overview

MDIF Ventures is a venture capital fund investing in early-stage media companies with a positive social impact. It focuses on projects located or serving audiences in countries where access to free and independent news and information is under threat. The fund offers equity financing to young and growing media companies with the potential to scale. MDIF Ventures has invested approximately $1 million in nine early-stage companies across seven countries, including Nigeria, Pakistan, and Colombia. It is currently closed for applications. The fund targets companies along the early-stage spectrum, from pre-seed to growth and Series A rounds. It may choose to make follow-on investments in existing investees. MDIF Ventures builds on the successes of Digital News Ventures, which invested $3.8 million in early-stage media from 2012 to 2015, the South Africa Media Innovation Program (SAMIP), and Amplify Asia. MDIF Ventures' investees include Dataphyte, PumaPodcast, and The Current. The fund is currently closed for applications. MDIF Ventures is a venture capital fund investing in early-stage media companies with a positive social impact. It focuses on projects located or serving audiences in countries where access to free and independent news and information is under threat. The fund offers equity financing to young and growing media companies with the potential to scale. MDIF Ventures has invested approximately $1 million in nine early-stage companies across seven countries, including Nigeria, Pakistan, and Colombia. It is currently closed for applications. The fund targets companies along the early-stage spectrum, from pre-seed to growth and Series A rounds. It may choose to make follow-on investments in existing investees. MDIF Ventures builds on the successes of Digital News Ventures, which invested $3.8 million in early-stage media from 2012 to 2015, the South Africa Media Innovation Program (SAMIP), and Amplify Asia. MDIF Ventures' investees include Dataphyte, PumaPodcast, and The Current. The fund is currently closed for applications.

Investment Focus

• Commitment to providing unique, credible, independent news
• Addressing accountability, strengthening debate, or reducing information poverty
• Ownership independent from government or other political or economic interests
• Located in or serving an audience in countries where access to free and independent news and information is under threat

Portfolio Companies