Kepple Africa Ventures is a venture capital firm established in 2019 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The firm specializes in providing seed-stage and early-stage financing to startups across Africa, focusing primarily on sectors such as information technology, fintech, and business-to-consumer (B2C) markets. By supporting innovative companies in these areas, Kepple Africa Ventures aims to contribute to the growth of the African startup ecosystem.
Flat6Labs is a prominent accelerator and venture capital firm based in Cairo, Egypt, founded in 2011. It plays a crucial role in fostering the technology ecosystem in the MENA region by investing in seed and early-stage startups across various sectors, including transportation, mobile, big data, and virtual reality. With offices in multiple cities such as Abu Dhabi, Amman, Beirut, Jeddah, Manama, and Tunis, Flat6Labs supports over 100 innovative startups annually, empowering entrepreneurs to realize their ambitions. The firm offers a range of investment amounts from $50,000 to $500,000, catering to startups from pre-seed to pre-Series A stages. In addition to financial support, Flat6Labs provides a comprehensive suite of services, connecting startups with a vast network of business mentors, investors, and corporate partners, thereby enhancing their growth potential. The firm is committed to expanding its impact in emerging markets while maintaining its leadership position in the region's startup ecosystem.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), established in 1956, is a member of the World Bank Group dedicated to fostering private sector development in emerging markets. It provides financial services, including loans and equity investments, ranging from $1 million to $100 million, with a focus on projects that drive economic growth and social impact. IFC invests across various sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, education, technology, and financial services.
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development finances projects and provides advisory services to the public and private sectors. It supports new ventures and expansion in existing companies through project financing, loans, and equity or quasi-equity investments, including equity funds and guarantees, and it partners with private entities to invest across sectors such as banking, energy, manufacturing, infrastructure, information technology, and services. The bank also helps publicly owned entities privatize and restructure municipal services and engages in policy reform dialogue and advisory services, along with trade finance and loan syndication. Founded in 1990 and headquartered in London, it operates across regions including Southeastern and Central Europe, the Baltic States, Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, Central Asia, and parts of the Middle East and Africa, aiming to foster market-oriented change and private sector development by mobilizing capital for sustainable investments. It has invested more than €130 billion in over 5,200 projects.
Established in 1948, British International Investment is a UK government-backed development finance institution and impact investor. It focuses on long-term economic growth and sustainability in emerging markets by investing in infrastructure, health, agribusiness, and other sectors.
Founded in 2015, Lorax Capital Partners is a private equity firm based in Cairo, Egypt. It focuses on investing in companies across various sectors such as financial services, clean energy, logistics, infrastructure, healthcare, consumer goods, retail, and manufacturing.
Zephyr Management is a venture capital and private equity firm focused on middle-market and growth investments, including venture, growth equity, buyouts, and turnaround opportunities. It provides capital to small and medium enterprises across sectors such as financial services, business services, manufacturing, education, logistics, agriculture and food, packaging, telecommunications, distribution, environmental and facilities services, travel and publishing, healthcare, and consumer products. The firm typically takes both majority and minority stakes in companies with revenues roughly $30 million to $300 million and EBITDA between $2 million and $50 million, investing from about $0.2 million up to $75 million per deal. It targets opportunities in emerging markets and globally, with offices in New York, Bangalore, Nairobi, London, Mexico City, and the Cayman Islands.
Algebra Ventures is a Cairo-based venture capital firm founded in the mid-2010s that invests in technology startups across Egypt and the broader MENA region. It concentrates on early to growth-stage opportunities, with a focus on Series A and Series B rounds, and seeks to back high-growth, technology-enabled companies in sectors such as fintech, consumer internet, e-commerce and marketplaces, enterprise software, and other digital services. The firm typically targets minority stakes, roughly in the 15% to 30% range, and partners with capable management teams to accelerate scale. Its geographic emphasis includes Egypt and neighboring markets in the Middle East and North Africa, including Jordan, Lebanon, UAE, Tunisia, and Morocco, with an aim to support ventures transforming large markets through innovative value propositions.
Founded in 1996, A15 is a pioneering company based in Cairo, Egypt, dedicated to investing in digital products and technology brands. Their mission is to empower people by creating real-world solutions and supporting these ventures with investment, ecosystem support, and expansion opportunities.
Novastar Ventures is a Kenya-headquartered venture capital firm that supports startups and growth-stage companies across Africa. It partners with bold entrepreneurs to build and scale business models that serve the mass market, with a focus on sectors including healthcare, education, energy, housing and sanitation, agribusiness, food, water, information technology and financial services. The firm targets opportunities in East and West Africa and maintains offices in Nairobi, Lagos and London to connect multiple centres of activity. Rather than a traditional fund manager, it acts as a venture catalyst, helping entrepreneurs design innovative solutions, access capital, and achieve durable impact for people and markets across the continent.
The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) serves as America's development bank, focusing on financing solutions to pressing challenges in the developing world. DFC collaborates with the private sector to invest in projects that foster job creation in emerging markets across various sectors, including energy, healthcare, critical infrastructure, telecommunications, and support for small businesses and women entrepreneurs. The corporation is committed to adhering to high standards that prioritize environmental sustainability, human rights, and worker rights in all its investments.
FMO, the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank, is a financial institution based in The Hague, Netherlands, founded in 1970 through a collaboration between the Dutch government and various financial entities. It focuses on supporting the private sector in developing countries and emerging markets across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Central and Eastern Europe. FMO provides a diverse range of financial products, including long-term project financing, private equity, loans, guarantees, and mezzanine financing. Its investment portfolio is primarily allocated to financial institutions, energy, agribusiness, food and water, and private equity. By offering capital, expertise, and networks, FMO aims to foster sustainable economic development and empower local businesses and projects.
Established in 2018, Falak Startups is an Egyptian startup accelerator dedicated to empowering local entrepreneurs. It offers a four-month program providing funding, mentorship, training, and resources to help startups refine their business models and compete globally.
Founded in 1997, Endeavor is a global non-profit organization dedicated to supporting high-impact entrepreneurs. With operations in nearly 40 countries, Endeavor's network comprises over 2,000 entrepreneurs who have created more than 3.9 million jobs and generated revenues exceeding $28 billion.
Beyond Capital is a nonprofit organization based in New York that focuses on impact investing in for-profit, early-stage companies across East Africa and India. Established in 2009, it aims to enhance the quality of life for consumers in low-income communities by investing in businesses that improve access to healthcare, sanitation, clean energy, agriculture, food security, and financial inclusion. While the organization seeks to achieve market-rate financial returns, its nonprofit structure allows it to prioritize its social mission alongside financial goals, aligning its investments with a commitment to fostering positive social change.
Proparco is a Paris-based organization established in 1977 that specializes in providing private sector funding for sustainable development initiatives. It focuses on financing and supporting companies and financial institutions across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Proparco targets key development sectors, including infrastructure—especially renewable energy—agriculture, financial institutions, health, and education. The organization aims to enhance the role of private entities in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the international community in 2015. By financing projects that create jobs, provide essential goods and services, and combat climate change, Proparco contributes to sustainable economic growth and development. Its financing solutions include loans, guarantees, equity, and quasi-equity options tailored to the needs of the private sector.
Google for Startups is an initiative supporting global startups. It offers access to Google's products, connections, and best practices through a network of partners in over 135 countries. The program aims to help determined startups succeed.
Founded in 2017, Ingressive Capital is a Pan-African venture capital firm investing in early-stage technology companies led by exceptional founders across Africa. With a focus on Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, and Nigeria, the firm specializes in Pre-Seed and Seed investments, targeting B2C solutions for tech-enabled youth and B2B solutions to increase Africa's value chain ownership.
AUC Angels is the first university-based angel investor network in the MENA region, located in Cairo, Egypt. It focuses on supporting early-stage startups with growth potential, thereby fostering a vibrant entrepreneurship ecosystem in the country. The organization aims to establish a network of angel investors among AUC alumni and their associates while facilitating a strong pipeline of innovative startups seeking seed funding. By partnering with AUC Venture Lab, AUC Angels gains access to vetted startups that have demonstrated market traction and scalability. In addition to providing financial backing, AUC Angels also equips startups with essential business and finance skills, helping them develop compelling investment cases and supporting their growth post-investment.
Launch Africa Ventures is a venture capital firm founded in 2020 and based in Ebene, Mauritius, that funds early-stage startups across Africa, focusing on seed and pre-Series A opportunities. It seeks investments across fintech, healthtech, climate tech, agritech, edtech, transportation and logistics, mobility, e-commerce, software as a service, artificial intelligence, big data, and analytics.
Disruptech Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Giza, Egypt, founded in 2021. It specializes in investing in early-stage financial technology startups and fintech-enabled digital services, with a primary focus on opportunities in Egypt.
Goodwell Investments is an impact investment firm that provides early-stage to growth capital along with hands-on support to inclusive businesses in Africa and India. It targets sectors including financial services, energy, health, mobility, education, agriculture, water and sanitation, and other basic services that improve livelihoods. The firm seeks minority stakes and offers board representation and advisory services to help portfolio companies scale sustainably. Based in the Netherlands with offices in Amsterdam and Cape Town, it pursues a long-term investment horizon of approximately five to ten years and aims to generate solid financial returns alongside social impact.
Finnish Fund for Industrial Cooperation is a Helsinki-based development-oriented investment firm established in 1980. It pursues direct and fund-of-fund investments in small and mid-sized enterprises in developing countries with Finnish links, aiming to deliver environmental and social impact. The firm focuses on sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable forestry and agriculture, financial institutions, digital infrastructure, manufacturing, health services, and related services, and it supports ventures that use Finnish technology. Typical commitments range from 1 to 10 million euros, with minority positions up to 30 percent and options for mezzanine financing or investment loans. It co-invests with other development finance institutions and can finance microfinance and infrastructure projects. The firm emphasizes projects aligned with Finnish development cooperation, including activity in Russia and various developing countries, and seeks to partner with entities that bring measurable development outcomes.
HIMangel is a venture capital firm established in 2017, headquartered in Cairo, Egypt. It specializes in early-stage investments, focusing on tech, healthcare technology, manufacturing, and waste management sectors within Egypt.
Helios Investment Partners, established in 2004, is a London-based private equity firm focused on Africa. It invests in a broad range of sectors, including telecommunications, media, financial services, power, and consumer goods, among others. The firm engages in various investment types such as buyouts, growth equity, and structured investments in listed entities. Helios typically invests between $15 million to $200 million per transaction, with a preference for board seats in its portfolio companies. It primarily targets Nigeria, South Africa, and Kenya.
Founded in 1994, AfricInvest is a Tunisia-based private equity firm with dedicated teams focused on North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. It manages USD1 billion across multiple funds, supported by local and international investors. The firm has invested in over 135 companies across 25 African countries, spanning high-growth sectors such as financial services, agribusiness, consumer/retail, education, and healthcare.
Future Africa is a Lagos-based venture capital firm established in 2016, dedicated to empowering mission-driven founders and innovators to tackle significant challenges across the African continent. The firm focuses on creating a future where purpose and prosperity are accessible to all. Future Africa invests in a diverse array of sectors, including agriculture, data and artificial intelligence, e-commerce, education, finance, healthcare, and technology, among others. By supporting startups and entrepreneurs, Future Africa aims to foster the development of transformative solutions that contribute to the continent's economic growth and social progress.
Pearl Capital Partners is a venture capital firm investing in small and medium-sized agribusinesses in East Africa, with a focus on Uganda. Founded in 2005, the company invests between $0.25 million to $2.5 million per company using a combination of equity, quasi-equity, equity-related, and debt investments.
The African Development Bank is a multilateral development finance institution headquartered in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, established in 1964 to support Africa's economic development and social progress. It funds development projects and programs through loans, lines of credit, guarantees, and equity-like instruments, and provides risk management, treasury services, and trade finance support. It also offers concessional loans and grants, along with technical assistance for project selection, studies, capacity building, and implementation. By mobilizing public and private investment for both sectors, the bank aims to spur poverty reduction, improve living conditions, and foster sustainable growth across African economies.
Ethos Mezzanine Partners (Pty) Ltd is a private equity and mezzanine investment firm that specializes in providing mezzanine financing for leveraged buyouts, management buyouts, recapitalizations, expansion and growth investments, public to private transactions, black economic empowerment financings, consolidations, and special situations in Southern African countries. Established in 2005 and based in Johannesburg, South Africa, the firm offers a range of financial instruments such as traditional mezzanine loans, second lien loans, convertible loans, and preferred equity. With a focus on companies in the Southern African region, Ethos Mezzanine Partners seeks investments between ZAR25 million and ZAR1 billion, either independently or as part of a syndicate. They do not invest in start-up, early-stage, turnaround, or real estate transactions, operating as a subsidiary of Ethos Private Equity.
Founded in 1997, DOB Equity is a Dutch-based impact investor focused on making strategic investments in small to medium-sized companies across East Africa. The firm aims to generate positive social and economic impacts through its investments.
Founded in 2022, Nclude is a venture capital firm headquartered in Cairo, Egypt. It focuses on investing in early-stage and growth-oriented fintech and fintech-enabled startups based in Egypt and the Middle East & Africa region.
KFW DEG offers financing, advice and support to private sector enterprises operating in developing and emerging-market countries. Their customers can rely on their expertise: They can benefit from their market knowledge, their 21 locations worldwide, and their international network. For entrepreneurial success and development.
Bharti Enterprises is a prominent business group based in India, known for establishing successful operations in sectors such as telecom, insurance, retail, and food. The company launched its telecom services by offering mobile services in Delhi, and its flagship entity, Bharti Airtel, has become one of the leading telecom providers globally, ranking among the top four wireless operators. Bharti Enterprises operates under the 'Airtel' brand in 20 countries across Asia and Africa, including India, Sri Lanka, and Nigeria, among others, and also has mobile operations in Jersey and Guernsey. In recent years, Bharti Enterprises has diversified its portfolio to explore emerging business opportunities within the Indian economy.
Global Ventures is an international venture capital firm that invests in founders and ideas across emerging markets. Their focus is on backing global-minded founders leading growth-stage companies and leveraging technology to drive transformation in emerging markets and beyond. The diverse and collaborative team at Global Ventures brings together professionals with extensive experience and expertise in building and scaling companies, making them well-equipped to support innovative entrepreneurs in achieving their goals.
Established in 2017 by Nahdet Misr Publishing House, EdVentures is a corporate venture capital firm based in Giza, Egypt. It focuses on investing in early-stage startups specializing in education, culture, and innovative learning solutions across Egypt, Africa, and the Arab World.
Uncovered Fund is a venture capital firm founded in 2019 and based in Tokyo, Japan. It targets early-stage startups and concentrates its investments in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, spanning sectors such as retail, fintech, health tech, logistics, mobility as a service, agritech, and smart city initiatives.
Cairo Angels is an angel investment network established in 2012 and headquartered in Cairo, Egypt. The organization focuses on investing in early-stage startups primarily located in Egypt and the broader MENA region, with particular interest in sectors such as technology, logistics, renewable energy, and agri-business. Cairo Angels organizes regular investment meetings where members can review pre-selected startups that align with their investment criteria. While each angel investor makes independent decisions regarding their investments, the network facilitates due diligence, negotiates terms, and assists in closing deals for interested opportunities. Investments typically range from 250,000 to 2 million Egyptian Pounds per company, with members investing their personal funds in exchange for minority equity stakes. Additionally, Cairo Angels offers portfolio management services to its investors after the investment process is complete. Members can participate in meetings either virtually or in person in Cairo or London.
Founded in 1999, TLcom Capital is a London-based venture capital firm with offices in Nairobi and Lagos. It focuses on investing in early to growth-stage technology companies across Europe, Israel, the United States, and sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular emphasis on African-focused tech ventures.
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation is a Japanese multinational banking and financial services company that provides a comprehensive array of financial services primarily focused on banking. Its operations encompass leasing, securities, credit card services, investment, mortgage securitization, venture capital, and various credit-related businesses. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, the bank has established a significant presence in the financial sector, being recognized as the second largest bank in Japan by assets as of 2009. Through its diverse offerings, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation serves a wide range of clients, contributing to its strong standing in the banking industry.
EFG Hermes, established in 1984, is a prominent investment bank in the Arab world, focusing on various financial services including securities brokerage, investment banking, asset management, private equity, and research. The firm is publicly listed on both the Egyptian and London stock exchanges. Recently, EFG Hermes acquired a 65% stake in Credit Libanais, marking a strategic move towards its transformation into a universal bank. This acquisition is expected to facilitate the firm's expansion into retail and commercial banking, enhancing its comprehensive financial service offerings in the region.
Founded in Egypt in 2010, Sawari Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on investing in early-to-growth stage technology companies across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The company aims to capitalize on the high growth potential of the MENA market, particularly in sectors such as e-commerce, mobile, internet, social media, and consumer technology products.
LoftyInc Capital is a venture capital firm based in Victoria Island, Lagos, focused on Africa's growth enterprises. Over the past decade it has invested over $25 million in more than 150 companies, including several unicorns, and attracted over $1.5 billion in follow-on funding to its portfolio. It has built an ecosystem of tech hubs, angel networks, and talent platforms to support portfolio companies. The firm has achieved multiple exits and delivered strong returns across its Afropreneurs funds.
Chandaria Capital is a venture capital investment firm founded in 2017 and based in Nairobi, Kenya. It invests in innovative ideas with the potential to transform Africa and provides mentorship and strategic support to entrepreneurs to help build impactful companies across the continent.
Ascent Capital Africa, established in 2012, is a private equity firm headquartered in Mauritius with offices in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda. The company specializes in investing in small and medium-sized enterprises across Eastern Africa, focusing on sectors such as agribusiness, consumer goods, healthcare, ICT, energy, and manufacturing. It typically invests between $2 million and $15 million, taking a controlling or majority stake, and aims to exit through public listing or sale to other investors within a 10-year period. Ascent Capital Africa targets enterprises with a proven track record and seeks to support their growth and expansion.
Acasia Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm investing in tech-driven and tech-enabled startups across the Middle East and Africa. Founded in 2011, it focuses on being the first to believe in innovative ideas, supporting entrepreneurs from pre-Seed to pre-Series A stages.
Founded in 2017, Shorooq Partners is a leading venture capital firm focused on the Middle East and North Africa regions. The firm invests in innovative technology companies across sectors such as fintech, platforms, software, gaming, and web3. Notable investments include Pure Harvest Smart Farms, Nymcard, Tamara, Sarwa, Lean Technologies, TruKKer, Mozn, and Lendo. Shorooq Partners operates regionally with offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh, Egypt, and Korea.
Swedfund International AB, established in 1979, is a Swedish government-owned investment firm specializing in high-risk, emerging markets. It provides risk capital, including equity, loans, and expertise, to seed, start-up, and mature companies in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Sweden. Swedfund invests between SEK 5 million and SEK 100 million, seeking a minority stake not exceeding one-third of the total investment. It typically invests in companies that do not manufacture or sell weapons, tobacco, or alcohol, and avoids investing in Swedish businesses of Swedish companies. Swedfund takes a Board seat in its portfolio companies and seeks to exit investments within five to ten years. It does not invest alongside private individuals or co-operatives, provide donations, or engage in sponsorships.
Foundation Ventures is an early-growth stage venture capital fund based in Cairo, Egypt, established in 2018. They specialize in backing founders who are building industry-defining companies, providing access to a vast network of distribution channels across the region to facilitate massive growth for their portfolio companies.
iHub Ltd., established in 2010 in Nairobi, Kenya, operates as a community platform supporting ICT-focused entrepreneurs. It provides networking opportunities with mentors, investors, and business coaches, fostering innovation and acceleration within the local tech ecosystem. As a subsidiary of Co-Creation Hub, iHub has been instrumental in catalyzing regional tech growth and serving as a model for hubs across emerging markets.