Finfra Secures NextFin Asia’s First Investment in Southeast Asia

By Grace Kim

LHoFT announced on Oct. 30, 2026 that Finfra had become the first company funded through NextFin Asia, in a Series A extension involving ADB Ventures, Cento Ventures and Accion Ventures.

The Indonesia-based lending-as-a-service platform said the new capital will support growth, strengthen its technology platform and fund expansion into new markets. ADB Ventures supplied the investment through NextFin Asia alongside existing investors Cento Ventures and Accion Ventures.

What did NextFin Asia’s first investment establish?

LHoFT launched NextFin Asia in February 2026 as the dedicated investment fund supporting its Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia acceleration program. The fund is a partnership between LHoFT, ADB Ventures and the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade (MFA).

LHoFT says NextFin Asia invests in early-stage technology companies advancing financial inclusion across Southeast Asia. It combines the accelerator’s program and ecosystem support with access to investment opportunities through ADB Ventures.

Alex Panican, Acting CEO of the LHoFT, said:

“When we launched NextFin Asia, we called it a world first: a development bank joining forces with a fintech accelerator to invest in fintechs driving financial inclusion and social impact.

A unique and bold model, made possible by the confidence the Luxembourg Government and ADB showed in Catapult SE Asia. With this first investment, that ambition is now becoming reality.”

Annabelle Fonteneau, Head of Acceleration Programs at the LHoFT, said:

“Finfra's progression from Catapult participant to the first company to receive investment through NextFin Asia highlights the high value of combining acceleration support with access to capital.

It is a very encouraging early example of how the initiative can help promising fintech companies expand their reach and impact across the region.”

Finfra joined Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia in 2024. The first deal turns its accelerator participation into a funded company.

How does Finfra expand access to credit?

LHoFT says Finfra provides the infrastructure and operational capabilities lenders need to launch and scale lending products. The company’s single platform handles loan origination, underwriting, servicing and collection without requiring lenders to build local operations from the ground up.

Finfra’s platform also enables embedded-finance models, letting businesses and digital platforms integrate credit into existing customer journeys. LHoFT says the approach can open working-capital routes for small businesses and bring financial institutions to underserved borrowers.

Markus Prommik, Founder and CEO of Finfra, said:

“Access to credit remains one of the biggest challenges facing small businesses across Southeast Asia. Our mission is to make lending infrastructure more accessible so that financial institutions can serve more businesses and individuals that have traditionally been overlooked.

We're grateful for the support of our investors and excited to continue building the infrastructure that helps expand access to capital for millions of small businesses in the region.”

Finfra gives lenders a route to credit without making them build local operations from scratch.

What role does ADB Ventures play?

Yichu Zhang, Investment Specialist, ADB Ventures, said:

“Many small businesses still struggle to access the financing they need to grow, while lenders face significant costs and complexity in reaching them.

Finfra is helping close that gap by making it easier for lenders to launch and scale lending products. Through NextFin Asia, we're pleased to support a solution that can help more small businesses access financing through formal channels.”

LHoFT said Finfra will also continue to benefit from NextFin Asia’s wider ecosystem, including connections with financial institutions, industry experts and partners working to advance financial inclusion across the region. Applications are already open for Catapult: Inclusion SE Asia #4.

The model now joins development capital, accelerator support and commercial investors in one financing path.

What supports Finfra and NextFin Asia?

Finfra was established in 2022 as an Indonesia-based lending-as-a-service platform. According to the company, its API-driven infrastructure provides end-to-end loan management, automated underwriting, risk analytics and access to institutional capital. Customizable credit products let enterprises embed lending in customer journeys, while digital platforms can add revenue and deepen customer relationships.

Cento Ventures, Accion Ventures and ZVC support Finfra. The company says close cooperation between its affiliate and the Indonesian Financial Services Authority (OJK) helps it meet rigorous regulatory standards and expand financing opportunities across Indonesia.

The LHoFT Foundation describes itself as a public-private sector initiative that drives technology innovation in Luxembourg’s financial-services industry. It connects domestic and international fintech communities and gives startups access to talent, expertise, funding and market opportunities. LHoFT also works with government agencies, regulators and industry associations to foster a supportive fintech ecosystem in Luxembourg.

ADB Ventures, the venture arm of the Asian Development Bank, supports technology-driven startups with measurable social, climate and development impact across Asia and the Pacific. It provides early-stage capital, strategic support and access to ADB’s network.

Its portfolio spans inclusive fintech, climate tech, sustainable agriculture and clean energy. ADB Ventures says it crowds in private capital for sustainable development and supports progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals in emerging markets.

With applications open for Catapult #4, the next cohort will test whether NextFin Asia can extend its first-company milestone into a broader financing program.