KARANDAAZ PAKISTAN is a not-for-profit special purpose vehicle set up under Section 42 in August 2014. Karandaaz is the implementation partner of the Enterprise and Asset Growth Programme (EAGR) and Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) programme of UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). SEED is grant funded by FCDO whereas EAGR is co-funded by FCDO and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) on grant basis.
Karandaaz promotes access to finance for micro, small and medium-sized businesses through a double bottom line investment platform and financial inclusion for individuals by employing technology enabled solutions. The company has four verticals:
Karandaaz Capital: Provides wholesale structured credit and equity-linked direct capital investments to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that demonstrate compelling prospects for sustainable business growth and employment generation in Pakistan.
Karandaaz Digital: Focuses on expanding the poor’s access to digital financial services in Pakistan by working across the ecosystem with all stakeholders.
Karandaaz Innovation: Manages the Innovation Challenge Fund and Women Ventures, providing risk capital and grants to partners with the aim to generate innovative solutions in areas of financial inclusion and entrepreneurship.
Karandaaz Research: Supports the company’s core financial inclusion goal by developing and disseminating evidence-based research and insights.