Kansas City-based financial technology firm C2FO has landed a substantial $30 million investment to expand its working capital platform across emerging markets. The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, led this strategic funding round announced Tuesday.
The investment marks a significant milestone for C2FO, which has built its reputation on connecting businesses with affordable working capital. Their platform helps smaller suppliers get paid faster by offering slight discounts on invoices to large corporate buyers. This model creates a win-win scenario where suppliers improve cash flow while buyers strengthen their supply chains.
“Access to working capital remains the number one challenge for small businesses globally,” said Sandy Kemper, founder and CEO of C2FO. “This partnership with IFC allows us to reach underserved markets where financing gaps are most severe.”
The funding will specifically target regions across Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America – areas where small and medium enterprises (SMEs) often struggle to secure affordable financing through traditional banking channels. The World Bank estimates the global SME financing gap exceeds $5.2 trillion annually, with emerging markets facing the most severe shortages.
C2FO’s expansion comes at a critical time. Supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainties have intensified cash flow challenges for businesses worldwide. The company’s technology platform addresses these issues by creating digital marketplaces where suppliers can request early payment on approved invoices.
The IFC investment reflects growing recognition of fintech’s role in addressing financial inclusion. “Digital financial services can dramatically reduce costs and expand access to formal financial systems,” said Paulo de Bolle, IFC’s Global Director of Financial Institutions Group. “C2FO’s innovative model has proven effective in delivering working capital to businesses that traditional lenders often overlook.”
For C2FO, which currently serves businesses across more than 180 countries, the funding accelerates an already ambitious growth trajectory. The company recently reported processing over $200 billion in funding requests annually through its platform.
The expansion also represents a promising economic development for Kansas City’s technology sector. C2FO has grown from a startup to one of the region’s most successful financial technology companies, now employing over 700 people globally.
Market analysts view the deal positively. “This partnership validates C2FO’s business model and positions them to capture significant market share in regions with underdeveloped financial infrastructure,” said Maria Gonzalez, senior fintech analyst at Morgan Stanley.
Beyond geographical expansion, the funding will support technology enhancements to C2FO’s platform. The company plans to introduce new capabilities tailored to emerging market needs, including multi-currency support and improved integration with local payment systems.
The investment comes with technical assistance from IFC to help navigate regulatory frameworks across diverse markets. This support will be crucial as C2FO adapts its model to regions with varying financial regulations and business practices.
Small business advocates have welcomed the news. “Access to affordable working capital can mean the difference between survival and closure for many small enterprises,” noted James Chen, director of the Global SME Finance Initiative. “Innovative platforms like C2FO provide alternatives to traditional financing that often excludes smaller businesses.”
C2FO expects to begin its expanded operations in select African countries by third quarter 2025, followed by Southeast Asian markets later in the year. The company has already established pilot programs in Kenya and Indonesia that have shown promising results.
As global supply chains continue evolving, C2FO’s working capital solutions address a critical need. The company’s platform not only provides funding but also generates valuable data on payment patterns and supply chain health – insights that benefit both suppliers and buyers.
With this significant backing from IFC, C2FO appears well-positioned to help close the financing gap for small businesses in markets where capital access remains a persistent challenge.
