MEXICO CITY — IDB Lab, the innovation and venture arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group), is joining forces with Fundación Capital to expand digital and financial inclusion for older adults and micro and small businesses in Mexico through Connected Finance 55+, an initiative to help more people participate in the digital economy.

The initiative aligns with broader efforts to create lasting economic opportunities through innovation, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion, while contributing to the social legacy agenda linked to the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Connected Finance 55+ seeks to accelerate the adoption of digital payments and financial services among micro and small businesses, particularly neighborhood retailers, while also promoting digital and financial inclusion among people aged 55 and older through a tech-touch approach. The initiative combines accessible technology, training, and personalized support to help participants adopt and effectively use digital and financial tools.

The initiative will be implemented by Fundación Capital, an organization with 17 years of experience promoting financial and digital inclusion in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa. Activities will initially focus on economic corridors in Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey, with a goal of directly reaching approximately 45,000 people during the first phase of implementation.

Connected Finance 55+ is supported by IDB Lab through a $2.29 million non-reimbursable technical cooperation and is designed as a scalable model that can later expand to additional countries in the region in phase II, including Argentina, Paraguay, and El Salvador. The project aims to generate practical evidence on how technology, financial services, and human-centered support can help expand economic participation and opportunity.

The initiative reflects a shared commitment among public, private, and philanthropic partners to strengthen digital and financial inclusion, support small businesses, and promote innovative solutions that can improve lives across Latin America and the Caribbean.

About IDB Lab

IDB Lab is the innovation and venture arm of the Inter-American Development Bank Group. We focus on entrepreneurship and technology to co-create solutions to development challenges and activate new industries for growth in Latin America and the Caribbean. IDB Lab supports high-impact startups and the innovation ecosystems they need to thrive through flexible financing, practical knowledge, and global connections. www.idblab.org

About Fundación Capital 

Fundación Capital is an international organization that promotes global economic citizenship. With 17 years of experience and presence in more than 22 countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa, it works with a broad ecosystem of partners to design and implement innovative solutions that strengthen the financial, digital, and economic well-being of individuals and communities. www.fundacioncapital.org