Deepening Luxembourg–ASEAN collaboration to mobilize capital for high-impact monetary inclusion. The Luxembourg Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia acceleration program will now be supported by NextFin Asia, a newly established devoted fund launched in partnership with the Luxembourg Ministry of International and European Affairs, Defence, Improvement Cooperation and International Commerce (MFA) and the Asian Improvement Financial institution (ADB).
LUXEMBOURG and SINGAPORE, Feb. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Luxembourg Home of Monetary Know-how (LHoFT) publicizes a serious evolution of the Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia program with the launch of its first devoted funding fund, delivered by NextFin Asia. Launched in partnership with the Luxembourg Ministry of International and European Affairs, Defence, Improvement Cooperation and International Commerce (MFA), and ADB Ventures, the enterprise capital arm of the Asian Improvement Financial institution (ADB), Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia 3.0 goals to strengthen Luxembourg’s function in supporting scalable fintech options throughout Southeast Asia.
NextFin Asia: A New Devoted Fund for the Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia Program to Additional Scale Inclusive Finance Fintechs in ASEAN.
After proving the mannequin in its first two editions, the third version of Catapult SE Asia will change the sport. By introducing direct funding, this system evolves from a pure acceleration initiative right into a regional platform that mixes capital, experience, and market entry to help fintechs tackling growth and monetary inclusion challenges throughout ASEAN.
From Acceleration to Funding: A New Chapter
Constructing on the success of its earlier editions, Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia 3.0 will help a particular cohort of high-potential fintech startups working throughout ASEAN. For the primary time, taking part startups will profit not solely from tailor-made acceleration, mentorship and institutional partnerships, but in addition from direct funding alternatives by the newly launched NextFin Asia Fund, designed to finance and help founders to scale sooner and extra sustainably. Past capital, Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia 3.0 graduates will achieve tailor-made strategic steering and important deployment help to assist speed up their market entry, improve model visibility and strengthen influence measurement to make sure efficient scaling. The 2026 version will unfold throughout two key world and regional milestones:
- June 2026 – Luxembourg, marking the official world launch and institutional engagement section in one of many foremost Monetary hubs on the earth.
- November 2026 – Singapore FinTech Competition, positioning Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia on the coronary heart of the area’s fintech ecosystem.
A Strategic Partnership for Regional Affect
The collaboration between the MFA, ADB, and the LHoFT Basis displays a shared dedication to fostering inclusive, resilient and progressive monetary ecosystems in Southeast Asia.
ADB brings deep regional experience, growth finance capabilities and a powerful give attention to scalable, impact-driven innovation. Mixed with Luxembourg’s long-standing management in sustainable finance and fintech innovation, the partnership creates a robust platform to help startups addressing challenges in monetary inclusion, local weather finance, SME finance, digital infrastructure and past.
ADB performs a crucial function in advancing inclusive progress throughout Asia and the Pacific by loans, grants and technical help, supporting international locations the place entry to finance stays a key barrier to growth. ADB Ventures, as ADB’s enterprise arm, enhances this mission by investing in early-stage know-how corporations whose breakthrough improvements have robust potential to scale and create growth influence.
Luxembourg’s Dedication to Inclusive Finance and Innovation
Luxembourg continues to be a world chief in sustainable and inclusive finance, allocating 1% of its Gross Nationwide Revenue to Official Improvement Help and internet hosting a major share of the world’s microfinance and influence funding autos.
Via Luxembourg’s worth chain, know-how, experience, and main monetary stakeholders, Catapult SE Asia builds on this basis, reinforcing Luxembourg’s place as a main monetary hub connecting capital, innovation, and growth influence.
Since its inception, the Catapult program has supported 115 fintechs from rising markets throughout Africa and Asia, serving to them scale options that serve underbanked communities and strengthen monetary methods.
Voices from the Partnership
Quote from the Luxembourg Ministry of International and European Affairs, Defence, Improvement Cooperation and International Commerce (MFA)
“Luxembourg has lengthy established itself as a middle for sustainable and progressive finance. I’m happy about this new partnership with the LHoFT and ADB Ventures, which brings collectively Luxembourg’s monetary experience, regional perception and funding capability to scale inclusive innovation throughout Southeast Asia. Via the NextFin Asia programme, we’re supporting native entrepreneurs and start-ups, whereas utilizing public funding strategically to mobilise personal capital alongside it. That is how robust partnerships, by innovation, translate into tangible influence on the bottom,” mentioned Xavier Bettel, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for International Affairs and International Commerce, Minister for Improvement Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs.
Quote From ADB:
“Via this partnership with the Luxembourg MFA and the LHoFT Basis, we’re combining catalytic capital with market‑readiness help to assist fintech founders scale options that advance monetary inclusion throughout Southeast Asia. NextFin Asia strengthens our shared dedication to increasing entry to finance for MSMEs and underserved communities within the area,” mentioned Isabel Chatterton, Director Basic of ADB’s Personal Sector Operations Division.
Quote from the LHoFT Basis
“It’s a World first initiative. A Improvement Financial institution partnering with a Fintech Accelerator, to drive monetary inclusion and social influence, by investing first hand in progressive fintechs, it’s daring, it’s distinctive. The NextFin Asia Fund is the results of the belief from Luxembourg’s Authorities and ADB’s in direction of the Catapult SE Asia program. And it positively displays the superb high quality of the entrepreneurs and companions collaborating in it. I’m assured that NextFin Asia will turn into the important thing catalyst for inclusive finance and innovation in Asia. And we’re very excited on the LHoFT to participate in such an endeavor,” mentioned Alex Panican, Deputy CEO of the Luxembourg Home of Monetary Know-how – LHoFT.
A Program Designed to Scale Affect
Catapult SE Asia 3.0 will provide:
- Tailor-made acceleration and mentoring
- Direct entry to institutional companions and regional stakeholders
- Publicity to traders and potential co-investors
- Funding alternatives by the NextFin Asia Fund
This system continues to behave as a bridge between Southeast Asia and Europe, fostering cross-regional collaboration and enabling fintechs to scale options that deal with the wants of underserved populations.
Functions
Fintech startups actively working in or concentrating on Southeast Asia are invited to use. Eligible sectors embody (however are usually not restricted to): Digital Funds, Monetary Inclusion, Local weather and Inexperienced Finance, InsurTech, AgriTech, SME Finance, RegTech and Digital Infrastructure.
Candidates should be primarily based in or lively inside ASEAN international locations, with enterprise phases starting from MVP to growth-stage corporations. Funding phases from pre-seed to Collection A are accepted.
Software particulars and timeline might be introduced quickly.
For updates, comply with us on LinkedIn:
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APPLY HERE: https://lhoft.com/packages/catapult-acceleration-programs/catapult-financial-inclusion/catapult-inclusion-asia/Third-edition-2026-asia/
Observe us on LinkedIn for updates all through this system:
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Concerning the LHoFT Basis
The LHoFT Basis is a public-private sector initiative that drives know-how innovation for Luxembourg’s monetary companies business, connecting the home and worldwide fintech group to develop options that form the world of tomorrow. The LHoFT Basis affords an innovation platform that gives fintech startups with entry to expertise, experience, funding, and market alternatives. The LHoFT Basis additionally works with authorities businesses, regulators, and business associations to foster a supportive and inclusive fintech ecosystem in Luxembourg.
For extra data, please go to: https://lhoft.com/
Concerning the Asian Improvement Financial institution (ADB)
The Asian Improvement Financial institution (ADB) is a number one multilateral growth financial institution supporting inclusive, resilient, and sustainable progress throughout Asia and the Pacific. Working with its members and companions to resolve complicated challenges collectively, ADB harnesses progressive monetary instruments and strategic partnerships to remodel lives, construct high quality infrastructure, and safeguard our planet. Based in 1966, ADB is owned by 69 members—50 from the area.
For extra data, please go to: https://www.adb.org/
About ADB Ventures
ADB Ventures is the enterprise arm of the Asian Improvement Financial institution, supporting technology-driven startups that ship measurable social, local weather, and growth influence throughout Asia and the Pacific. It supplies early-stage capital, strategic help, and entry to ADB’s community, serving to startups scale progressive options in sectors akin to inclusive fintech, local weather tech, sustainable agriculture, and clear power. By crowding-in personal capital for sustainable growth, ADB Ventures accelerates progress towards the UN Sustainable Improvement Objectives in rising markets.
For extra data, please go to: https://ventures.adb.org/
Observe us on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/firm/the-lhoft
