Investors backing African startups

• Capria Ventures

  Capria Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on applied artificial intelligence in the Global South. It connects technology founders with a network of investors and other entrepreneurs.

  United States

• Cur8 Capital

  Cur8 Capital is the investment arm of Islamic Finance Guru, offering access to private investment funds. Its products include income strategies and private equity investments.

  United Kingdom

• Equal Ventures

  Equal Ventures backs founders bringing technology to established industries. It takes a concentrated, thesis-driven early-stage investment approach and works closely with its portfolio companies.

  United States

• Hashed Emergent

  Hashed Emergent is a venture investment and ecosystem platform supporting founders in India and other emerging markets. It backs early-stage blockchain and AI-native companies and undertakes research and ecosystem development.

  India

• KfW

  KfW provides development-oriented financing programmes for individuals, companies and public institutions. Its support areas include business formation, innovation, energy efficiency, housing and infrastructure development.

  Germany

• Lava

  LAVA invests in early-stage African businesses developing stablecoins, payments, credit and digital trust infrastructure. Its approach also considers artificial intelligence applications supporting financial services and related systems.

  India

• M Empire Angels

  No description available.

  Egypt

• National Bank of Egypt

  No description available.

  Egypt

• Nissay Capital

  No description available.

  Japan

• Nithio

  Nithio is a climate fintech platform investing in clean energy companies and advising capital providers. It uses repayment, geospatial and other data to assess risk and support climate finance decisions.

  United States

• Oyass Capital

  Oyass Capital provides financing and strategic support to small and medium-sized businesses in Senegal. Its services include loans, equity investment, mentoring and technical assistance for entrepreneurs.

  Senegal

• SMBC Venture Capital

  SMBC Venture Capital is the venture investment arm of SMBC Group. It provides capital and management support, connecting portfolio companies with corporate partners, talent and specialists through the group’s network.

  Japan

• Twelve Below

  Twelve Below is a New York venture capital firm investing at pre-seed and seed stages. It takes a generalist approach and typically leads financing rounds before Series A.

  United States

• Union Square Ventures

  Union Square Ventures is a New York-based venture capital firm investing from the earliest stages. It backs technology businesses across areas including AI, robotics, energy, finance and biotechnology.

  United States

• Authentic Ventures

  Authentic Ventures invests in early-stage companies, primarily developing artificial intelligence software. It typically backs pre-seed and seed businesses, with selected Series A investments and support tailored to founders’ needs.

  United States

• Boehringer Ingelheim

  No description available.

  Germany

• Bonfire Ventures

  Bonfire Ventures is a seed-stage venture capital firm backing AI-native business software companies. It leads early financing rounds and provides hands-on support as portfolio companies grow.

  United States

• Commerce Ventures

  No description available.

  United States

• Commercial International Bank (CIB)

  No description available.

  Egypt

• Dakar Network Angels

  No description available.

  Senegal

• Den VC

  Den VC invests in startups combining commercial potential with social impact. Its interests include financial inclusion, education, healthcare, women’s economic participation and environmental solutions in emerging markets.

  United States

• Digital Africa Ventures

  Digital Africa Ventures invests seed capital in African businesses. It supports founders through strategic guidance, mentoring, professional connections and operational assistance as they develop their companies.

  South Africa

• Ecosystem Integrity Fund

  No description available.

  United States

• Edge Growth

  Edge Growth supports small and medium-sized business development through advisory services, fund management and enterprise development programmes. It works with entrepreneurs to address constraints on business growth.

  South Africa

• EEP Africa

  EEP Africa finances early-stage clean energy projects in Southern and Eastern Africa. Its support includes technical assistance, investment facilitation and networking for participating projects and businesses.

  Global

• Emso Asset Management

  No description available.

  United Kingdom

• Everywhere Ventures

  Everywhere Ventures is a global pre-seed venture capital fund backed by a community of founders. It provides early investment and network support to companies across international markets.

  United States

• Exel by Merak

  Exel by Merak is an innovation platform operating accelerators, incubation programmes and hackathons. Backed by the Merak Capital ecosystem, it supports founders, companies and government stakeholders in Saudi Arabia.

  Global

• Grand Challenges Canada

  Grand Challenges Canada finances and supports locally led innovations intended to improve lives. It provides patient, flexible capital and assistance to help innovators demonstrate solutions and expand their adoption.

  Canada

• Hesabu Capital

  Hesabu Capital is a venture capital firm investing in technology-enabled companies in Kenya. It focuses on Series A, Series B and later-stage businesses seeking capital to expand.

  Kenya

• Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU)

  No description available.

  Global

• Livelihood Impact Fund

  Livelihood Impact Fund supports programmes and leaders working to improve economic opportunities for people living in poverty. Its partners provide skills, capital and other resources for sustainable livelihoods.

  United States

• Marula Square

  Marula Square operates an Africa-focused venture capital fund investing in technology businesses across agriculture, healthcare and education. It seeks sustainable commercial growth alongside positive local economic impact.

  South Africa

• Maven 11

  Maven 11 is a cryptocurrency investment fund backing founders developing open digital networks. It combines investment with technical expertise and hands-on support through company development.

  Netherlands

• Mediatek

  MediaTek develops technology platforms for smartphones, connected devices, home entertainment and vehicles. Its product areas include wireless connectivity, mobile processors, artificial intelligence and display technologies.

  China

• OneBio Venture Studio

  OneBio Venture Studio partners with biotechnology entrepreneurs to build companies. It provides investment capital and venture-building support, alongside an associated innovation centre offering laboratories, equipment and workspace.

  South Africa

• Polymorphic Capital

  Polymorphic Capital is an early-stage Web3 venture capital investor focused on practical applications. Its interests include payments, tokenisation and artificial intelligence built on blockchain infrastructure.

  Global

• Prosus Ventures

  Prosus Ventures is the early-stage investment arm of Prosus. It invests in emerging technologies and new sectors that may contribute to the group’s future growth.

  Netherlands

• RZM Investment

  RZM Investment backs businesses in sectors including healthcare, education, information technology and financial services. It works with founders through partnerships, operational involvement and support for business growth.

  Global

• SAAD Investment Holdings

  SAAD Investment Holdings buys, builds and grows businesses with a long-term ownership approach. It focuses on established, capital-light companies with growth potential and works with management partners.

  South Africa

• Sanari Capital

  Sanari Capital is a private equity firm investing in African mid-market growth businesses. It specialises in founder-run, owner-managed and family-owned companies with regional or international expansion potential.

  South Africa

• Seedstars Africa Ventures

  Seedstars Africa Ventures is an early-stage venture capital fund investing across sub-Saharan Africa. It supports companies addressing product and service needs with capital and access to regional and international networks.

  Switzerland

• Sukna Ventures

  Sukna Ventures is a Riyadh-based early-stage venture capital fund investing in digital transformation businesses. It builds and backs companies focused on the Middle East and North Africa.

  Global

• Sumitomo Corporation

  Sumitomo Corporation is an integrated trading company operating through an international network. Its business activities span multiple industries and markets, supported by group companies and regional operations.

  Japan

• Teranga Capital

  Teranga Capital supports local businesses through private equity, seed funding and acceleration. It works with entrepreneurs on development strategies and long-term partnerships to support sustainable business growth.

  Senegal

• UGFS North Africa

  No description available.

  Tunisia

• University of Tokyo Edge Capital Partners (UTEC)

  UTEC is a venture capital firm investing in science and technology companies. It works with universities, research institutions and other partners to commercialise intellectual property and support entrepreneurs.

  Japan

• Verod Capital Management

  No description available.

  Global