6 March 2026
DLA Piper advises VisionFund on investment advancing financial inclusion in emerging markets
DLA Piper advised VisionFund, the financial services arm of the humanitarian organization World Vision, in its strategic investment in DreamStart Labs, a technology platform providing accessible, community-centered financial services to individuals and small businesses that lack access to traditional banking systems.
The investment strengthens VisionFund's ability to provide its customers with digital financial tools that strengthen their financial and business management, provide direct links to formal financial services, and help them build their credit history.
“VisionFund’s work sits at the intersection of financial inclusion and community empowerment,” said Craig Tighe, Senior Counsel at DLA Piper. “We are pleased to help enable VisionFund serve underserved populations.”
The matter, which originated as a pro bono engagement, reflects DLA Piper’s longstanding commitment to supporting mission-driven organizations.
Tighe (Palo Alto) led the deal team, which included Partners Brian Hamano, Jeff Aronson, Ute Krudewagen (all Palo Alto), and Katie Lee (New York), Of Counsel Renee Schoenberg (Chicago), and Associates Pilar Ay (Santiago) and Bridget Sojung Jeong (Palo Alto).
With more than 1,000 corporate lawyers globally, DLA Piper helps clients execute complex transactions seamlessly while supporting clients across all stages of development. The firm has been rated number one in global M&A volume for 16 consecutive years by Mergermarket and ranked number one in VC, PE, and M&A in combined global deal volume by PitchBook.
The investment strengthens VisionFund's ability to provide its customers with digital financial tools that strengthen their financial and business management, provide direct links to formal financial services, and help them build their credit history.
“VisionFund’s work sits at the intersection of financial inclusion and community empowerment,” said Craig Tighe, Senior Counsel at DLA Piper. “We are pleased to help enable VisionFund serve underserved populations.”
The matter, which originated as a pro bono engagement, reflects DLA Piper’s longstanding commitment to supporting mission-driven organizations.
Tighe (Palo Alto) led the deal team, which included Partners Brian Hamano, Jeff Aronson, Ute Krudewagen (all Palo Alto), and Katie Lee (New York), Of Counsel Renee Schoenberg (Chicago), and Associates Pilar Ay (Santiago) and Bridget Sojung Jeong (Palo Alto).
With more than 1,000 corporate lawyers globally, DLA Piper helps clients execute complex transactions seamlessly while supporting clients across all stages of development. The firm has been rated number one in global M&A volume for 16 consecutive years by Mergermarket and ranked number one in VC, PE, and M&A in combined global deal volume by PitchBook.