TLcom I

TLcom Capital is a venture capital firm established in 1999, with offices in Lagos, Nairobi, and London. The firm primarily focuses on technology-enabled companies across Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as in Europe, Israel, and the United States. TLcom Capital manages over $300 million, with a specific emphasis on early to growth-stage investments. In 2017, the firm launched the TLcom TIDE Africa fund, aiming to raise $100 million to support technology startups across Africa. The fund's investment sectors include fintech, commerce, consumer services, and corporate services, covering areas such as health, education, energy, and media.

Maurizio Caio

Founder & Managing Partner

Omobola Johnson

Senior Partner

Andreata Muforo

Partner

Eloho Omame

Partner

Ido Sum

Partner

Past deals in Africa

Pastel

Seed Round in 2022
Pastel supports African businesses by offering tools that help manage their businesses and maximize efficiency.

SeamlessHR

Series A in 2022
SeamlessHR is building Africa’s first enterprise-grade, cloud-based HR platform. SeamlessHR’s end-to-end suite helps medium to large-sized companies automate and optimise their entire HR process from recruitment to retirement. SeamlessHR offers powerful technology that is well priced for emerging markets. The product suite includes a Recruitment Management System, Core HR Management, Performance and Competency Management, Payroll Management, Leave Management, HR Analytics and several other modules.

Kobo360

Series B in 2021
Kobo360 is a tech-enabled digital logistics platform that aggregates end-to-end haulage operations to help cargo owners, truck owners, and drivers, and cargo recipients to achieve an efficient supply chain framework. Through an all-in-one robust logistics ecosystem, Kobo uses big data and technology to reduce logistics frictions, empowering rural farmers to earn more by reducing farm wastages and helping manufacturers of all sizes to find new markets. Kobo enables unprecedented efficiency and cost reduction in the supply chain, providing 360-visibility while delivering products of all sizes safely, on time and in full. The Kobo mission is to build the Global Logistics Operating System that will power trade and commerce across Africa and Emerging Markets. The company is also preparing to enter the agro-trading space by creating a marketplace that links farmers with buyers all over the world. The marketplace will effectively eliminate the high cost of middlemen for smallholder farmers and significantly improve profits. Ife Oyedele ll and Obi Ozor founded it in 2017 and is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria.

uLesson

Series B in 2021
uLesson has built the technology to deploy curriculum-relevant content via smartphones, that allows learners to use the product without concern for internet limitations and costs. uLesson’s mobile offering rests on three pillars: academics, media & technology and curriculum content is delivered via streaming and SD cards.

Twiga Foods

Series C in 2021
Twiga Foods Ltd. operates a mobile-based business-to-business supply platform, serving retail outlets, kiosks, and market stalls across Africa. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the company facilitates the ordering of various supplies, including bananas, pineapples, and tomatoes, through its innovative platform. Twiga Foods aims to streamline the supply chain and enhance access to essential goods for millions of small and medium-sized vendors in urban markets throughout the continent.

Autochek

Seed Round in 2021
Autochek is an automotive technology company founded in 2020 and based in South Africa. It operates online platforms that connect buyers and sellers in the automotive sector, enhancing commerce through digital solutions. The company focuses on creating a marketplace that improves access to auto loans, quality maintenance, aftersales services, and warranty solutions. By offering a comprehensive digital infrastructure, Autochek aims to streamline the coordination and maintenance of vehicle records, facilitating smoother transactions and interactions within the car market.

Okra

Seed Round in 2021
Okra Technologies Limited develops an Application Programming Interface (API) that allows developers to retrieve real-time financial information from a bank account to any web or mobile application. The company develops a portal and process to exchange financial information back and forth between customer, applications, and banks and enables developers to build financial products. Okra Technologies Limited was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria.

Pula

Series A in 2021
Pula GmbH is an insurance intermediary based in Mollis, Switzerland, specializing in agricultural insurance broking services. The company focuses on providing data-driven insurance solutions for small-scale farmers across six countries in Africa. By leveraging machine learning and analyzing weather patterns and farm losses, Pula helps farmers navigate climate risks and enhance their agricultural practices. Through the use of mobile technology, Pula empowers hundreds of thousands of smallholders to protect their crops and make informed financial decisions, ultimately enabling them to invest in their farms and improve their overall income.

uLesson

Series A in 2021
uLesson has built the technology to deploy curriculum-relevant content via smartphones, that allows learners to use the product without concern for internet limitations and costs. uLesson’s mobile offering rests on three pillars: academics, media & technology and curriculum content is delivered via streaming and SD cards.

Ilara Health

Series A in 2020
Ilara Health brings accurate and affordable diagnostics to rural Africans through miniature, AI-powered diagnostic devices that are integrated via a proprietary technology platform and distributed directly to primary care doctors.

Autochek

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Autochek is an automotive technology company founded in 2020 and based in South Africa. It operates online platforms that connect buyers and sellers in the automotive sector, enhancing commerce through digital solutions. The company focuses on creating a marketplace that improves access to auto loans, quality maintenance, aftersales services, and warranty solutions. By offering a comprehensive digital infrastructure, Autochek aims to streamline the coordination and maintenance of vehicle records, facilitating smoother transactions and interactions within the car market.

Okra

Pre Seed Round in 2020
Okra Technologies Limited develops an Application Programming Interface (API) that allows developers to retrieve real-time financial information from a bank account to any web or mobile application. The company develops a portal and process to exchange financial information back and forth between customer, applications, and banks and enables developers to build financial products. Okra Technologies Limited was founded in 2019 and is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria.

uLesson

Seed Round in 2019
uLesson has built the technology to deploy curriculum-relevant content via smartphones, that allows learners to use the product without concern for internet limitations and costs. uLesson’s mobile offering rests on three pillars: academics, media & technology and curriculum content is delivered via streaming and SD cards.

Twiga Foods

Venture Round in 2019
Twiga Foods Ltd. operates a mobile-based business-to-business supply platform, serving retail outlets, kiosks, and market stalls across Africa. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the company facilitates the ordering of various supplies, including bananas, pineapples, and tomatoes, through its innovative platform. Twiga Foods aims to streamline the supply chain and enhance access to essential goods for millions of small and medium-sized vendors in urban markets throughout the continent.

Kobo360

Series A in 2019
Kobo360 is a tech-enabled digital logistics platform that aggregates end-to-end haulage operations to help cargo owners, truck owners, and drivers, and cargo recipients to achieve an efficient supply chain framework. Through an all-in-one robust logistics ecosystem, Kobo uses big data and technology to reduce logistics frictions, empowering rural farmers to earn more by reducing farm wastages and helping manufacturers of all sizes to find new markets. Kobo enables unprecedented efficiency and cost reduction in the supply chain, providing 360-visibility while delivering products of all sizes safely, on time and in full. The Kobo mission is to build the Global Logistics Operating System that will power trade and commerce across Africa and Emerging Markets. The company is also preparing to enter the agro-trading space by creating a marketplace that links farmers with buyers all over the world. The marketplace will effectively eliminate the high cost of middlemen for smallholder farmers and significantly improve profits. Ife Oyedele ll and Obi Ozor founded it in 2017 and is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria.

AJUA

Series A in 2019
mSurvey is a mobile survey platform driving decision-making for businesses across the continent of Africa and the Caribbean. mSurvey works with some well-known brands across the world; reducing churn, improving customer service, and increasing their Net Promoter Score. We solve the problem of customer service to market research with a technology and team that have deep local reach. We open up communication lines between our customers, their employees, and their customers.

Andela

Series D in 2019
Andela is a global talent network that specializes in recruiting and managing software developers from emerging markets, particularly in Africa. Established in 2014 and headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, the company provides training and mentorship to prepare developers for roles with companies worldwide. Through its platform, Andela connects leading organizations like GitHub and Cloudflare with highly skilled engineering talent, enabling businesses to scale their teams efficiently and cost-effectively. The company focuses on identifying the top 1% of software developers, fostering a network that empowers developers while facilitating job opportunities. Andela operates as a distributed organization across four continents and has garnered support from notable investors, including Generation Investment Management and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

Kobo360

Seed Round in 2018
Kobo360 is a tech-enabled digital logistics platform that aggregates end-to-end haulage operations to help cargo owners, truck owners, and drivers, and cargo recipients to achieve an efficient supply chain framework. Through an all-in-one robust logistics ecosystem, Kobo uses big data and technology to reduce logistics frictions, empowering rural farmers to earn more by reducing farm wastages and helping manufacturers of all sizes to find new markets. Kobo enables unprecedented efficiency and cost reduction in the supply chain, providing 360-visibility while delivering products of all sizes safely, on time and in full. The Kobo mission is to build the Global Logistics Operating System that will power trade and commerce across Africa and Emerging Markets. The company is also preparing to enter the agro-trading space by creating a marketplace that links farmers with buyers all over the world. The marketplace will effectively eliminate the high cost of middlemen for smallholder farmers and significantly improve profits. Ife Oyedele ll and Obi Ozor founded it in 2017 and is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria.

Twiga Foods

Series B in 2018
Twiga Foods Ltd. operates a mobile-based business-to-business supply platform, serving retail outlets, kiosks, and market stalls across Africa. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the company facilitates the ordering of various supplies, including bananas, pineapples, and tomatoes, through its innovative platform. Twiga Foods aims to streamline the supply chain and enhance access to essential goods for millions of small and medium-sized vendors in urban markets throughout the continent.

Twiga Foods

Series B in 2018
Twiga Foods Ltd. operates a mobile-based business-to-business supply platform, serving retail outlets, kiosks, and market stalls across Africa. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the company facilitates the ordering of various supplies, including bananas, pineapples, and tomatoes, through its innovative platform. Twiga Foods aims to streamline the supply chain and enhance access to essential goods for millions of small and medium-sized vendors in urban markets throughout the continent.

AJUA

Series A in 2018
mSurvey is a mobile survey platform driving decision-making for businesses across the continent of Africa and the Caribbean. mSurvey works with some well-known brands across the world; reducing churn, improving customer service, and increasing their Net Promoter Score. We solve the problem of customer service to market research with a technology and team that have deep local reach. We open up communication lines between our customers, their employees, and their customers.

Terragon Group

Series A in 2018
Terragon Group is a digital media business focused on Africa. Within the digital ecosystem, Terragon Group understands the interplay between content and platform and has business verticals that deliver on components of the digital world. Terragon Group operates across key markets in Africa namely; Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and Kenya, as well as India. The Group is made up of three independent but complimentary business units that focus on different aspect of the digital media sphere; Terragon Limited (TL): Access and Aggregationl; Twinpine Limited: Mobile Advertising; and Terragon Media Limited (TML): Digital Agency.

Andela

Series C in 2017
Andela is a global talent network that specializes in recruiting and managing software developers from emerging markets, particularly in Africa. Established in 2014 and headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, the company provides training and mentorship to prepare developers for roles with companies worldwide. Through its platform, Andela connects leading organizations like GitHub and Cloudflare with highly skilled engineering talent, enabling businesses to scale their teams efficiently and cost-effectively. The company focuses on identifying the top 1% of software developers, fostering a network that empowers developers while facilitating job opportunities. Andela operates as a distributed organization across four continents and has garnered support from notable investors, including Generation Investment Management and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.

Upstream

Venture Round in 2009
Upstream S.A. is a mobile marketing technology company based in Athens, Greece, specializing in accelerating mobile commerce in high-growth markets. Founded in 2001, Upstream operates the MINT platform, which serves mobile operators, agencies, e-commerce brands, and application developers by providing insights from mobile interactions and customer data. The platform facilitates mobile purchase rates and offers a variety of services, including marketing promotions, mobile content, loyalty programs, and direct billing solutions. Upstream reaches over one billion consumers across Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, the CIS, and Southeast Asia, leveraging partnerships with more than 50 mobile operators. The company has successfully engaged half a billion consumers and converted 65 million into paying customers through a subscription micro-payment model. With a global presence, Upstream has offices in multiple countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy, Brazil, Nigeria, Romania, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.