Savannah Fund

Savannah Fund, established in 2012, is a venture capital firm based in Ebene, Mauritius, focusing on seed-stage technology startups across sub-Saharan Africa. The firm specializes in investments ranging from $25,000 to $500,000 in high-growth sectors such as agtech, e-commerce, fintech, healthcare, and logistics. Initially concentrated on East Africa, Savannah Fund aims to bridge the investment gap between early-stage and venture capital by providing capital along with access to a robust mentor network, which includes connections to Silicon Valley through an accelerator program. The firm is managed by a knowledgeable team with experience in founding companies and angel investing, and they leverage local, regional, and international networks to support startups in scaling into successful enterprises. Savannah Fund is committed to fostering Africa's potential as a global technology innovator by promoting the development of sustainable, profit-driven companies that create jobs and generate positive societal impacts.

Mbwana Alliy

Managing Partner and Founder

43 past transactions

Hohm Energy

Seed Round in 2024
Hohm Energy is an online marketplace that connects customers with accredited solar providers, product suppliers, and financiers. It provides clients with an evolving solar purchasing experience by utilizing scalable technology that manages their entire solar transition journey from scoping for the solution, installation, ongoing operations, and maintenance. The company was founded in 2021 and is headquartered in Gauteng, South Africa.

Aya Data

Pre Seed Round in 2023
Aya Data specializes in data annotation, data collection, natural language processing, and transcription services. The company has developed a comprehensive platform that facilitates the creation of quality training data for machine learning models. This platform offers a range of tools for businesses to label data effectively, including image, text, and audio labeling. By providing these services, Aya Data helps organizations enhance the accuracy and performance of their machine learning initiatives, making it easier for them to harness the power of artificial intelligence.

Kubik

Seed Round in 2023
Kubik is an environmental technology company that uses plastic waste to make low-carbon, durable, and affordable buildings.

Afropolitan

Pre Seed Round in 2022
Afropolitan is creating a Digital Nation to enable all Africans to build abundant lives. The internet enables people to organize around shared values at scales that were previously unthinkable before the turn of the century. If it were a country, Facebook would be the largest one in the world. With the advent of cryptocurrency, the next Facebook will not be a social network with a passive online community, but rather a full-blown digital country with its own native currency and shared purpose. We are building the first-ever internet country.

Oze

Seed Round in 2022
Oze is a digital platform designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa by providing tools for managing sales, expenses, and customer data. The app enables entrepreneurs to track their financial activities efficiently and offers tailored recommendations, reports, and business education to enhance their operations. Oze also provides access to coaching for users seeking additional guidance. By leveraging data and machine learning, Oze can assess credit risk and facilitate affordable financing options through banking partners. With a user base exceeding 150,000, Oze has established itself as the largest online community of SMEs in West Africa, demonstrating significant impact as 97% of businesses using Oze for over nine months have reported growth or profitability.

Root

Seed Round in 2021
Root enables companies to embed & sell insurance. Root’s proven low-code platform and strong insurance partnerships make it easy to design, build and integrate insurance at scale. Root is an enterprise-grade solution, with digital platforms, retailers, and insurers building, refining and selling insurance products powered by Root. Root processes more than $32m in active Gross-Written-Premium with 1.7m+ in-force policies on the platform, and a team of 50 people.

Knabu Distributed Systems

Seed Round in 2021
We are a DLT company based in London and have started our bank authorization process to solve the problem of denial of bank accounts to blockchain businesses. We are building a Utility Bank from scratch & engineering it to leverage DLT.

Ando Foods

Pre Seed Round in 2021
The ANDO platform offers an end-to-end technology stack that begins when an order is placed and ends when an order is delivered and guest feedback is collected. The company's technologically advanced commercial kitchens ensure that all food is produced while keeping very sensitive prep times and quality requirements in mind.

Guidewheel

Series A in 2021
Guidewheel is a developer of an AI-powered factory operations platform that helps manufacturers enhance productivity and profitability across their operations. The platform utilizes a non-intrusive approach, similar to a smartwatch, to monitor machines by analyzing their electrical signals. This allows for real-time insights into machine performance, including operational speed, activity status, and early detection of potential issues. With the integration of additional sensors, Guidewheel’s technology offers increasing value related to profitability and sustainability. Founded at Stanford University, Guidewheel has already made strides with hundreds of manufacturers, achieving an average runtime improvement of 40%. The company aims to become the leading real-time intelligence platform for the world’s factories, contributing significantly to operational efficiency and addressing climate change challenges.

eBanqo

Seed Round in 2021
eBanqo is a customer engagement SaaS provider that helps organizations automate customer-facing services and speed up the resolution of customer issues. It helps businesses extend their services to every digital channel their customers use - webchat, in-app chat, social media, USSD, and SMS - promoting connectivity and quick issue resolution. Equipped with the latest technology in AI, businesses using eBanqo’s platform provide a consistent personalized interaction across all digital platforms, leading to repeat customers and high brand affinity. eBanqo substantially lowers cost, while providing automated customer support, self-service, issue resolution, and multi-channel live chat on diverse messaging platforms.

Moringa School

Seed Round in 2021
Moringa School is a coding institution focused on developing technical skills among students through intensive training programs. It specializes in software engineering, data science, and professional development, offering a range of courses in areas such as software development, computer programming, UI and UX design, machine learning, and full stack web development. By providing both full-time and part-time education options, Moringa School equips its pupils and graduates with the necessary skills to thrive in the global digital economy. The institution aims to enhance the employability of its students by ensuring they are well-versed in essential technologies and concepts relevant to the industry.

Orbit Health

Seed Round in 2019
They believe a healthy society is the foundation of a productive society. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, healthcare resources are scarce and a living a healthy life is often treated as a luxury. As the founders of Orbit Health, they lived through those circumstances theirselves and decided to help strengthen this weak healthcare infrastructure through innovative technology solutions. There are two major contributing factors that are affecting the nation’s healthcare frame work, delayed access to healthcare & delayed care delivery.

FlexClub

Seed Round in 2019
FlexClub is a mobility platform that offers an online marketplace for car subscriptions, allowing customers to create personalized car subscription plans. Users can subscribe to a vehicle for a minimum duration of one month and have the flexibility to cancel or modify their plans without incurring penalties. The platform caters to both commercial and private members, facilitating the buying, renting, and selling of movable assets, including cars for ride-hailing services. This approach simplifies the process of accessing vehicles, making it convenient for users to browse and order a car that meets their needs.

Supermart Nigeria

Seed Round in 2017
Supermart is a grocery delivery service that allows shop from all favourite supermarkets all under one roof.

Aerobotics

Seed Round in 2017
Aerobotics is a data analytics company that specializes in providing insights into tree and fruit health through the use of drone imagery and artificial intelligence. The company has developed aerial imagery technology that combines satellite and drone data with machine learning algorithms. This technology assists farmers in various aspects of orchard management, including the identification of problematic trees, pest and disease management, and yield optimization. By enabling farmers to efficiently scan their fields and analyze the information captured, Aerobotics helps reduce costs and enhance agricultural productivity.

Smile ID (formerly Smile Identity)

Pre Seed Round in 2017
At Smile ID they believe anyone should be able to prove their identity easily, anywhere in the world. Their team is made up of American and African engineers and financial services professionals with experience across global markets in highly regulated environments. They have built encryption, authentication and security solutions. They have developed image processing technology from the chip level up. They have been part of security investigations and have pursued fraudsters. Having worked with, or for, telecoms, lenders, banks and startups, they know the challenges of building world class technology and they understand the needs of the African consumer and enterprise customer. They are backed by leading Silicon Valley & African investors and they have pan-African reach, with representation in the United States, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Rwanda.

Lidya

Seed Round in 2017
Lidya is a financial services platform based in Lagos, Nigeria, focused on improving access to credit and finance for small and medium enterprises. Founded in 2016, Lidya enables businesses to open accounts online, manage funds, and access credit within 15 minutes using mobile-first technology and proprietary credit scoring algorithms. The platform offers a range of banking services, including invoice financing and working capital, designed to help business owners build credit profiles and secure affordable financing. Additionally, it provides tools and dashboards for managing receivables and cash flow, allowing businesses to enhance their credit scores and unlock higher credit limits.

UNICAF

Venture Round in 2016
Unicaf, founded in 2012, operates an online higher education platform that provides affordable and quality university degree programs to young professionals in Africa. The company partners with reputable universities from the UK, US, Europe, and Africa, offering locally accredited degrees that allow students to study primarily online while balancing their work commitments. Unicaf's approach combines online instruction with physical instructional centers and virtual coaching, making it easier for students to pursue their education and enhance their career prospects. The organization has experienced significant growth, serving over 8,000 students and aiming to expand its reach to 60,000 students.

Podozi

Convertible Note in 2016
Podozi is a beauty tech startup focused on addressing the unique needs of people of color in the beauty market. It operates an e-commerce platform that simplifies the process of discovering and purchasing beauty and personal care products, specifically tailored for African women. By utilizing an algorithm-based system, Podozi offers a personalized shopping experience that ensures customers can find products that are the perfect fit for their individual needs. The platform features a diverse selection of categories, including makeup, skincare, hair care, nail products, and fragrances, allowing beauty enthusiasts to access quality products from authentic brands around the world.

Sendy

Seed Round in 2015
Sendy Ltd. is a logistics platform based in Nairobi, Kenya, founded in 2014. The company specializes in providing door-to-door delivery services for e-commerce, facilitating logistics optimization for manufacturers and distributors, and connecting businesses with various transporters. Sendy's platform simplifies the delivery process by allowing businesses to schedule, track, and pay for deliveries in one place, while also offering cashless payment options through mobile technology. With thousands of companies utilizing its services, Sendy aims to empower businesses and individuals by making trade more accessible and efficient.

Wasoko

Pre Seed Round in 2015
Wasoko is an e-commerce platform designed to connect small shops with the digital economy across Africa. By facilitating access to essential goods and services, it enhances sales and market reach for companies in emerging markets. The platform allows informal retailers to conveniently order products anytime through SMS or a mobile app, ensuring free same-day delivery to their stores. This service simplifies the sourcing process for shopkeepers while helping manufacturers maintain consistent product availability for consumers. Overall, Wasoko plays a significant role in fostering trade and economic growth in the region.

Golix

Seed Round in 2015
Golix, originally founded in December 2014 as BitFinance, aimed to empower individuals in Africa with financial autonomy through cryptocurrency. Initially, it functioned as a Bitcoin trading platform, allowing users to buy and sell bitcoins via mobile money or online banking transactions. The platform also provided a cloud-based solution for managing Bitcoin accounts and expanded its offerings to include other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum and Litecoin, along with wallet services for secure storage. Despite its pioneering role in the African cryptocurrency market, Golix encountered significant regulatory hurdles, including a directive from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to cease trading operations. Though Golix secured a High Court order to continue its activities, it ultimately ceased operations in October 2019 and sold its remaining assets. In January 2021, Golix relaunched as a cryptocurrency price tracking platform, maintaining its brand but shifting focus from trading to providing market information.

Forex

Seed Round in 2015
Forex.co.ke enables foreign exchange consumers to compare quotes from currency dealers, transact online, and settle payments electronically.

Djuaji

Seed Round in 2015
Djuaji is an accounting platform that facilitates survey-based research for businesses, primarily targeting the African market. The company operates an online mobile survey community where users can share their opinions on products, services, and public policy. Participants are incentivized for their contributions through payments made via mobile money. This approach not only enables businesses to gather valuable insights but also empowers respondents by rewarding them for their time and input.

Africa Courier Express

Seed Round in 2015
Africa Courier Express (ACE) is a logistics company operating in Africa, focused on providing delivery solutions for businesses and consumers. The company utilizes a technology-enabled logistics platform that facilitates efficient communication between clients and service providers. ACE's platform offers multiple rescheduling options, catering to the diverse needs of customers. With a commitment to timely service, ACE enables clients to access same-day and next-day delivery across various regions in Africa, enhancing the overall logistics experience.

Angani

Seed Round in 2015
Angani is a Kenyan public cloud computing provider located in Nairobi, Kenya, offering services to the entire East African region.

StudySearch

Seed Round in 2015
StudySearch is a course matching and applications platform connecting Africans with the best universities abroad.

Cardplanet Solutions

Seed Round in 2014
CardPlanet Solutions develops and markets proprietary personal information solutions. The company leverages on smart cards and related technologies integrated to the internet and offers a robust “chip-to-cloud” solutions for an array of environments. Their main focus areas are health, identity, payments, and loyalty. Their solutions are aimed at increasing efficiency, convenience, security, and save costs. CardPlanet Solutions’ product portfolio includes InstAid, a secure platform for organizations to create, manage, and distribute medical and nutritional e-vouchers via mobile phone technology; PesaCard, an electronic wallet linked to mobile money; CampoCard, an official identification and access card for students, faculty, and staff at universities and colleges; Fuel and Loyalty Programs, a unique rewards program that enables users to earn points and get discounts for daily activities such as refueling, traveling, shopping, eating out, watching movies, flying, and so on. CardPlanet Solutions was founded by Samuel Masinde and Rodgers Muhadi in 2011 and is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

BabyGroup

Series A in 2014
BabyGroup is an e-commerce company based in Cape Town, South Africa, that specializes in providing a comprehensive range of products and services for parents-to-be and parents. Founded in 2012, the company operates an online platform where customers can purchase various baby-related items, including clothing, carriers, toys, and baby-care products. By centralizing these offerings, BabyGroup aims to simplify the shopping experience for parents, enabling them to find all their baby needs in one convenient location.

Wyzetalk

Series A in 2014
Wyzetalk is a developer of a digital employee engagement platform aimed at enhancing communication between organizations and their frontline workforce, which comprises a significant portion of the global labor market. With a focus on addressing the disengagement of frontline workers, the platform utilizes mobile technology to create an accessible communication channel that connects workers with their organizations. This multi-channel approach, which includes mobile, app, and USSD options, facilitates improved access to information and streamlined processes, ultimately enhancing the day-to-day experiences of deskless employees. By combining its employee experience platform with industry expertise, Wyzetalk effectively enables organizations to foster better communication, increase engagement, and drive overall business performance, thereby addressing the challenges posed by a disengaged workforce.

StorkBrands

Seed Round in 2014
StorkBrands specializes in the import and distribution of childcare and juvenile products, primarily serving the Southern African region. The company provides access to an extensive network of retailers, facilitating the growth of both local and international mom and baby brands. StorkBrands is committed to delivering exceptional customer service and employs advanced supply chain management practices to enhance product availability and brand activation across various channels. Through these efforts, the company aims to support families by ensuring they have access to quality products for childcare.

UniSmart

Seed Round in 2014
UniSmart is a web and mobile discount platform connecting verified African students with discounted offers locally, nationally and globally.UniSmart provides retailers and merchants in Africa and worldwide, the opportunity to connect with students at the point of sale both online and in-store. UniSmart will be launching in Nigeria.

Zevan Limited

Angel Round in 2014
Zevan Limited is a Nairobi-based company that operates a mobile trading platform designed to connect hotels and food processors with small-scale farmers for the procurement of raw materials. Founded in 2012, the platform facilitates the linkage between agricultural producers and various stakeholders, including input providers and end markets, while also offering logistical services such as warehousing and transport. By streamlining these connections, Zevan Limited aims to enhance the efficiency of agricultural supply chains in Kenya.

Ahonya

Seed Round in 2014
Ahonya.com is an online shopping platform in Ghana that specializes in providing consumers with access to a wide range of high-quality electronics at competitive prices. The company offers a marketplace where users can conveniently purchase various products, including laptops, mobile phones, cameras, tablets, and PC accessories, as well as clothing and other accessories. Ahonya.com emphasizes the importance of genuine products and aims to enhance the shopping experience by providing doorstep delivery services, allowing customers to shop from the comfort of their homes. The platform is positioned as a leading online retailer in Ghana, with a mission to help consumers find and buy the electronics they need efficiently.

Paykind

Seed Round in 2013
They started in early 2013 as a platform that allowed parents to send money to their children in boarding schools in Kenya. Using the M-Pesa mobile money platform layered on top of NFC powered student IDs, They were able to help parents send money allocated specifically for educational supplies and food electronically to their children. Realizing the potential of electronic money transfers tied specifically to allocated expenses, They pivoted in September 2013 from student payment cards to electronic educational, medical and nutritional vouchers. Today Their main product is Paykind, an online e-voucher platform that enables individuals and organizations to send highly specified remittance packages using mobile phone technology.

Zished

Seed Round in 2013
Zished is an online gifting platform based in Accra, Ghana, that specializes in providing a variety of gifts for special occasions. Launched in 2013 by Kojo Ayirebi and Christiane Koenig, the company enables consumers to order cakes, flowers, gift vouchers, and hampers from a curated selection. Customers can conveniently have these items delivered to their doorsteps, facilitating the act of gifting for events such as birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and other celebrations. Zished aims to make it easy for individuals, including those living far away or abroad, to surprise their loved ones with thoughtful gifts on significant occasions.

Zatiti

Seed Round in 2013
Zatiti is a mobile e-commerce website builder that enables its users to create online shops and start selling their products online. Through Zatiti, shop owners have the ability to get a content management system that enables them to easily manage their content like uploading products, creating pages, and much more. Zatiti designs custom templates for merchants so that they can get unique online shops to promote their brands. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, it was launched in 2013 by [Grace Kiburi](https://www.crunchbase.com/person/grace-kiburi) and [David Njuguna](https://www.crunchbase.com/person/david-njuguna#/entity).

Kola Studios

Seed Round in 2013
Kola Studios is a mobile game developer based in Uganda that has popularized a local card game. The startup is backed by [Savannah Fund](http://www.crunchbase.com/financial-organization/savannah-fund).

Eneza Education

Seed Round in 2013
Eneza Education, a.k.a. MPrep, was founded in 2011 by Kenyan teachers and educators serious about making technology useful for their students. From the rural areas of Nyanza to Wajir Town and the Mombasa Coast, Kenyan teachers united to create the content of our initial Class 7 and Class 8 study tool. We wanted a tool that combined the best of great teaching practices: scaffolded assessments, direct feedback, and high engagement. And we wanted to make sure ALL kids had access to our system. What better way to start than with a simple SMS-based system?

Inforex Africa

Seed Round in 2013
Inforex Africa is an online platform that facilitates a network for foreign exchange service providers across the continent. Founded in 2012 and based in Kampala, the platform allows forex bureaus to view and compare each other's exchange rates, enabling seamless currency transactions among them. It provides institutions with real-time access to forex rate changes and alerts from central banks regarding market conditions and cash inflow submissions. Additionally, Inforex Africa features a messaging system to enhance communication among its users. Each forex bureau has a dedicated profile section to update its location and contact information, ensuring that the platform remains a reliable resource for both local and international foreign exchange institutions.

Copia Global

Seed Round in 2013
Copia Global Inc. is an e-commerce company based in Nairobi, Kenya, that focuses on providing a consumer catalog order and delivery system for middle to low-income individuals in the developing world. Founded in 2013, the company leverages mobile technology and a network of local agents to facilitate access to a diverse range of quality goods at reasonable prices. Its platform enables users, including those without direct internet access, to browse products and place orders with local shopkeepers, who can then fulfill these orders and manage payments through a mobile payment system. This approach not only empowers consumers but also enhances the distribution capabilities of local businesses, making it easier for rural and peri-urban populations to access essential products conveniently.

SafariDesk

Seed Round in 2012
SafariDesk is a travel technology start-up with operations in East Africa. SafariDesk helps travellers find the perfect deals for the best travel experiences in Africa. It is backed by [Savannah Fund](http://www.crunchbase.com/financial-organization/savannah-fund).

Datafree

Series A in 2012
Smashing the mobile data cost barrier with #datafree services enabled by reverse billing (toll free data).
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