Pearl Capital Partners

Pearl Capital Partners is a venture capital firm based in Kampala, Uganda, specializing in investments in small and medium-sized agricultural businesses in East Africa, with a particular focus on Uganda. Established in 2006, the firm typically invests between $0.25 million and $2.5 million per company, utilizing a mix of equity, quasi-equity, and debt instruments. Pearl Capital Partners aims to generate financial returns for its investors while fostering significant social impact through its investment activities. The firm collaborates closely with ambitious management teams, providing supportive investment structures and specialized expertise to help cultivate high-growth agribusinesses. Additionally, Pearl Capital Partners has offices in Nairobi, Kenya, and Mauritius, further enhancing its regional presence.

Wiem Abdeljaouad Bernet

Investment Manager

Edward Isingoma Matsiko

Managing Partner and Chief Financial Officer

Wanjohi Ndagu

Partner and Investment Director

Anne Ngugi

Investment Manager

David Wangolo

Investment Manager

Past deals in Kenya

Meru Greens Horticulture

Private Equity Round in 2014
Meru Greens Horticulture Ltd. is a prominent producer and marketer of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in Kenya and on the international stage. Established in 1996 and headquartered in Meru, Kenya, the company offers an extensive selection of fruits, including pawpaw, oranges, watermelons, yellow passion fruits, tomatoes, tree tomatoes, lemons, avocados, mangoes, apple mangoes, sweet and regular bananas. Its vegetable range encompasses fine beans, sugar snaps, snow peas, baby corn, French beans, both red and yellow peppers, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, red and white onions, green pepper, cassava, butternuts, and arrow roots, among other products. Through its diverse offerings, Meru Greens contributes significantly to the agricultural sector and food supply both locally and abroad.

Eldoville Dairies Limited

Private Equity Round in 2014
Eldoville Farm is a small family owned enterprise located 15 km from the city center that specializes in the production of dairy products. Formally established in June 1985, the farm comprises of a zero grazing unit with a substantial herd of cows and a fodder growing area as well as areas for household vegetables and other farm produce. Having started by producing two litres of cream every day for Hotel Intercontinental , Lucy Karuga, the Managing Director of Eldoville Farm has built her operation into a formal, commercial-level dairy.

Freshco

Debt Financing in 2013
Freshco Kenya Limited engages in producing, processing, and distributing seeds and planting materials to the farming community in Kenya and the East and Central Africa region. It offers maize (corn) seeds and vegetables seeds; drought tolerant crops seeds, including field beans, cow peas, pigeon peas, green grams, sorghum seeds, finger millets, and cassava; tree seeds; and agrochemicals that include plant growth regulators, fertilizers, and plant protection products. The company sells its products through a network of distributors and stockists; and agricultural shows and exhibitions, and major farmers field days. Freshco Kenya Limited was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya with an additional office in Nakuru.

Midlands Limited

Private Equity Round in 2013
Midlands Limited is a food processing firm. The company deals in the processing and packaging of potato products including potato crisps and chips.

Wilmar Flowers

Debt Financing in 2012
Wilmar Flowers Ltd was incorporated in 1995 to export summer flowers grown by small and medium sized farmers from Kenya. We are located in Thika town at Munene Industries. Wilmar produces flowers through engaging small and medium farmers who are in groups of eight to twenty in numbers. However, there are groups with more members. The company has engaged more than 4,000 farmers in the past who have produced in different seasons.

Dryland Seed Limited

Private Equity Round in 2011
Dryland Seeds Limited was founded in 2004 by the Managing Director Mr. Ngila Kimotho. DSL specialises in production, processing and dissemination of drought tolerant seed crop varieties. DSL distributes the seed through Agro-dealers to give access to farmers in low and medium altitude ASAL areas of Africa. DSL is committed to providing suitable quality seed and service to farmers.

Western Seed

Venture Round in 2010
Western Seed Company Limited, based in Kitale, Kenya, is dedicated to enhancing agricultural productivity among smallholder farmers in East Africa. Founded in 1986, the company specializes in the production of seed varieties specifically designed to resist diseases such as maize streak virus and grey leaf spot, as well as to withstand drought conditions. Its product offerings include maize hybrids, open-pollinated maize varieties, sorghum, millets, beans, and peas. By leveraging its hybrid seed varieties, Western Seed enables farmers to significantly increase crop yields, thus improving their income. Over the past two growing seasons, the company has reached over 300,000 farmers, with a goal to impact 800,000 households, benefiting more than 4 million people by 2014.

Western Seed

Private Equity Round in 2007
Western Seed Company Limited, based in Kitale, Kenya, is dedicated to enhancing agricultural productivity among smallholder farmers in East Africa. Founded in 1986, the company specializes in the production of seed varieties specifically designed to resist diseases such as maize streak virus and grey leaf spot, as well as to withstand drought conditions. Its product offerings include maize hybrids, open-pollinated maize varieties, sorghum, millets, beans, and peas. By leveraging its hybrid seed varieties, Western Seed enables farmers to significantly increase crop yields, thus improving their income. Over the past two growing seasons, the company has reached over 300,000 farmers, with a goal to impact 800,000 households, benefiting more than 4 million people by 2014.