Mercy Corps Ventures, in partnership with Salicrop, is testing a non-GMO seed priming technology in Baja California to enhance tomato resilience under heat and saline stress, helping smallholder farmers improve yields and adapt to growing water scarcity.

In partnership with Lilliput Technologies Ltd., this pilot tests biodegradable coatings to protect coffee seedlings in Costa Rica from heat and water stress, improving early plant survival and helping farmers strengthen climate-resilient coffee production systems.

Esta convocatoria invita a startups en Colombia a desarrollar soluciones tecnológicas que ayuden a comunidades vulnerables a prepararse, adaptarse o recuperarse frente a impactos climáticos. Las iniciativas seleccionadas recibirán hasta USD 40.000 en financiamiento. Postula antes del 9 de febrero de 2026.

This call for proposals invites early-stage startups in Colombia to develop tech-enabled solutions that help vulnerable communities prepare for, adapt to, or recover from climate shocks. Selected ventures will receive up to $40,000 in equity-free funding, technical assistance, and access to Mercy Corps Ventures’ global partner and investor network. Apply by February 9, 2026

In partnership with Artifields, this pilot uses satellite and drone data to redesign rainfed fields in Mexico improving water retention, reducing runoff, and helping smallholder farmers build climate-resilient production systems.

In Cameroon, Mercy Corps Ventures and REasy piloted a stablecoin-based cross-border payment solution for micro-merchants. Reaching over 900 traders, the pilot enabled them to move more than US$5 million in inventory purchases from Asia while reducing transaction costs by 75%. Sixty-four percent of participants reported higher revenues, with nearly a quarter seeing profit increases above 20%. Results point to strong demand for faster, more affordable payment rails that can strengthen small business resilience amid climate and market shocks.

How did stablecoin based aid perform in one of the most challenging environments for humanitarian delivery? This endline report shares the results of a digital cash pilot in eastern Afghanistan, where families used offline cards linked to stablecoin wallets for the first time. It outlines what worked, including cost reductions, faster delivery, and strong user preference, along with key operational lessons, gender barriers, and what these findings mean for scaling digital payments in low connectivity and high risk settings.

In Kenya, Mercy Corps Ventures and Farm Star piloted a mobile-based solution delivering AI-powered weather forecasts and farming advice to smallholder farmers. Reaching 63 farmers—70% of them women—the pilot saw 80% reporting higher yields, with 97% applying the guidance received. Results point to strong demand and potential for scale, especially as 80% of participants lacked good alternatives.

This call for proposals invites early‑stage startups to join Mercy Corps Ventures’ Ventures Lab in tackling financial exclusion through AI. With up to $50,000 in equity‑free funding, we’re looking for solutions that expand access to credit, insurance, savings, and remittances for unbanked, climate‑vulnerable populations in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Apply by December 1, 2025.

As climate-driven water challenges intensify, Mercy Corps Ventures launched a global call to fund tech solutions improving water efficiency, access, and infrastructure for vulnerable communities. We received 243 applications from 48 countries—uncovering powerful trends in innovation across AI, IoT, purification, smart irrigation, and more. This blog shares what we learned and where the most promising solutions are emerging.

In Ghana, Mercy Corps Ventures partnered with Haraka and Grameen Foundation to test blockchain-powered microloans for women’s savings groups. No apps, no crypto wallets, no collateral. The result? Faster, cheaper credit in local stablecoins helping over 500 borrowers — 90% of them women — grow businesses and build resilience.

Selected from 230+ applications in 50+ countries, OPAL for Floods will pilot in Senegal, using AI, satellite imagery, and smart contracts to help Thiès and Grand Dakar act before floods.