Inspired Evolution Investment Management is a Cape Town-based private equity and venture capital firm focused on sustainable environmental and energy technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa. It targets equity investments across multiple growth stages, often as a lead investor seeking significant minority or majority stakes and board representation. The firm concentrates on clean energy and resource efficiency, including energy generation, water treatment, waste management, green chemistry, and related sectors, with additional exposure to sustainable agriculture, ecotourism, and green real estate. The geographic focus spans Southern Africa and broader Sub-Saharan Africa, with activity in countries such as Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and neighboring states. Inspired Evolution operates through a multidisciplinary team to deliver returns aligned with social and ecological outcomes, and maintains offices in Cape Town and internationally in Grand Baie, Mauritius; Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Nairobi, Kenya; and London, United Kingdom.
Athena Capital (Pty) Ltd is a venture capital and private equity firm based in Cape Town, South Africa, with additional offices in Johannesburg and London. Established in 2003, the firm specializes in investments across various stages, including early-stage and middle-market acquisitions, with a particular focus on sectors such as energy and resources, financial services, agribusiness, and manufacturing. Athena Capital primarily targets opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and Scandinavia, seeking platform companies that can leverage government and development finance support. The firm aims to secure board representation in its portfolio companies and is also involved in financial advisory services, offering transaction advisory for private equity, mezzanine debt, and trade finance. The firm has an established track record and a clear focus on sectors that align with its investment strategy.
Established in 2020, Seedstars Africa Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm based in South Africa. It focuses on investing in high-growth companies active across Sub-Saharan Africa, targeting sectors such as utilities, healthcare, education, cleantech, financial inclusion, and digital innovation.
GreenHouse Capital, established in 2016 and based in Ikeja, Nigeria, operates as a corporate venture capital firm affiliated with the Venture Garden Group. It focuses on investing in early-stage technology startups, particularly in the fintech and big data sectors within sub-Saharan Africa, as well as foreign startups aiming to enter the African market. The firm aims to nurture innovation by identifying and supporting young entrepreneurs who are addressing global challenges through technology. Additionally, it has developed the Garden Institute of Business Entrepreneurs to serve as a talent management hub, fostering skill development and leadership among emerging entrepreneurs. GreenHouse Capital is dedicated to building a robust ecosystem for women-led technology companies and accelerating their growth in emerging markets.
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.
Quona Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in fintech companies in emerging markets, focusing on financial inclusion for underserved consumers and small and medium-sized enterprises. The firm backs startups developing financial products and services beyond microcredit, including alternative lending, remittances, insurance, prepaid services, and payments infrastructure, as well as software that enhances distribution, financial management, and online bill payments. It targets companies leveraging digital platforms to expand access to banking and financial services in Sub-Saharan Africa, India and Southeast Asia, and Latin America. Typical investments range from about 1 to 10 million. Founded in 2014 and based in Washington, DC, with additional offices in Bengaluru, Lima, Cape Town, and Mexico City, Quona Capital aims to fuel inclusive fintech and related adjacencies such as agriculture, healthcare, education, commerce, and mobility finance.
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.
Enygma Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Cape Town, South Africa, established in 2019. It focuses on early-stage investments in women-led startups within the Southern Africa region. It describes itself as a purpose-driven investor that combines capital with tailored support, leveraging networks to provide expertise, mentorship, and access to local and overseas markets. The firm emphasizes flexible, efficient deployment of capital and aims to be a collaborative partner for entrepreneurs. Its investment thesis centers on diversity and inclusion, targeting sectors such as education and training services, consumer products including food and personal products, and consumer finance, with a preference for businesses that generate social impact alongside growth. The firm draws on experience across Africa, the United States, and Europe to help portfolio companies scale and access markets.
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.
GAIA Impact Fund is a venture capital firm that specializes in renewable energy, focusing on building long-term partnerships with startups in Sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia. With a strong environmental and social focus, the firm supports businesses that provide sustainable and affordable energy to local communities. GAIA Impact Fund also works to promote technological innovations and business models that facilitate the widespread adoption of renewable energy in regions where energy mixes are highly carbonized.
Founded in 2019, Raba Partnership is a venture capital firm based in Cape Town, South Africa. It partners with founders of startups and companies building technology solutions for emerging ecosystems across Africa.
Persistent is a Nairobi-based venture capital firm focused on Africa, investing in climate, renewable energy, e-mobility, agricultural technology, and solar sectors. It supports entrepreneurs with deep operational and strategic guidance to help them scale sustainable businesses. The firm seeks attractive financial returns while creating social and environmental impact, including improving energy access for underserved markets in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund is a public-private partnership that mobilizes capital from both public and private sources to lend to infrastructure projects in sub-Saharan Africa. It provides long-term debt and mezzanine financing on commercial terms to infrastructure developments, with funding directed primarily to projects owned, managed, and operated by private sector businesses. The fund concentrates on building and upgrading infrastructure across the region, including in fragile states where traditional lenders are often reluctant to deploy capital. Based in Ebene, Mauritius, the entity is managed and advised by Investec Asset Management, aligning capital providers with private sector-led infrastructure development.
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.
Founded in 2012, Savannah Fund is a seed capital firm specializing in investments ranging from US$25,000 to US$500,000 in early-stage, high-growth technology startups across sub-Saharan Africa. Initially focused on East Africa, the fund aims to bridge the early-stage investment gap by combining capital with mentor networks both locally and internationally through an accelerator program.
VestedWorld is an early-stage venture capital firm founded in 2014 and based in Chicago. It invests in agribusinesses, consumer products and services, and technology-enabled companies in emerging markets, with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. The firm seeks to generate competitive returns while supporting local growth and development. It provides portfolio companies with capital, governance involvement, and direct strategic and operational guidance to accelerate growth.
Africa Media Ventures Fund (AMVF) is a Netherlands-based organization that mobilizes capital and expertise to invest in entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized media companies in Africa. With a focus on sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Kenya and Ghana, AMVF provides venture capital ranging from $20,000 to $200,000, along with business development support. Their investors, experienced media entrepreneurs with a passion for Africa, actively engage in managing portfolio companies through visits and board memberships to foster growth and success in the media sector.
Founded in London in 2009, TLG Capital is a private investment firm focused on empowering entrepreneurs in frontier markets, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa. The company invests in sectors such as healthcare, finance, consumer goods, and real estate, aiming to create significant social, environmental, and developmental impact.
Africa Angels Network is a venture capital firm based in Cape Town, South Africa, that focuses on investing in startups, primarily within the technology sector. The firm targets companies located in Sub-Saharan Africa, aiming to support and nurture innovative entrepreneurial ventures in the region. Through its investments, Africa Angels Network seeks to contribute to the growth of the tech ecosystem in Africa, fostering development and creating opportunities for emerging businesses.
Founded in 2015, Founders Factory is a global startup builder and investor focused on fintech, health, climate, and deeptech sectors. It provides catalytic capital and bespoke support to over 300 technology companies worldwide, fostering collaboration with corporates and established entrepreneurs.
Factor[e] Ventures is an impact venture builder and investment firm that supports early-stage companies in mobility, agriculture, energy and water. Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, it operates across emerging and frontier markets with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa, backing market-driven solutions that advance sustainable development. The organization connects philanthropic and commercial investors pursuing decarbonized growth, aiming to turn disruptive ideas into scalable businesses addressing energy, agriculture, mobility and waste challenges in fast-growing regions.
Established in 2005, Surya Capital is a principal investment firm focused on high-growth markets in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly East Africa and Ethiopia. The company provides patient and flexible financial capital to businesses, combining it with operational expertise through strategic partnerships. Surya Capital's experienced team works with entrepreneurs to refine strategies, enhance competitive advantage, execute growth plans, and improve organizational capabilities.
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.
Established in 2007, Berkeley Energy specializes in investing in and developing renewable power assets across Asia Pacific and Sub-Saharan Africa. With extensive experience in renewable energy engineering, construction, and investment, the company provides financial support and acts as a bankable sponsor for projects.
Sunny Side Venture Partners is a venture capital firm based in Tokyo, Japan, established in 2022. The firm primarily focuses on early-stage startups located in North Africa, with the potential to extend its investments to the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa. By targeting these emerging markets, Sunny Side Venture Partners aims to support innovative businesses and drive economic growth in the region.
TEAMFund is a venture capital fund based in Reston, Virginia, dedicated to expanding access to affordable and sustainable medical technologies for underserved populations, particularly in India and Sub-Saharan Africa. The fund focuses on health tech, digital health, and artificial intelligence innovations, aiming to address unmet health needs in resource-constrained areas. With an investment horizon of ten years, TEAMFund plans to invest in eight to ten companies that align with its mission of making a positive impact in healthcare.
Spice Private Equity AG is a private equity and venture capital firm based in Zug, Switzerland, with additional offices in Hamilton, Bermuda, London, Singapore, and the United States. Founded in 1999, the firm focuses on direct investments in privately held companies and the acquisition of shares in publicly listed companies, often in collaboration with other private equity investors. It targets growth-oriented investments across various sectors, including consumer goods, telecommunications, education, financial services, infrastructure, and healthcare. The firm primarily focuses on emerging markets, with significant investments in the Asia Pacific, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America regions. Spice Private Equity typically makes investments ranging from $10 million to $60 million, seeking opportunities that allow for substantial influence over the management of the investees. The firm also engages in fund of funds investments and may invest opportunistically in certain credit products. Operating as a subsidiary of GP Investments, Ltd., Spice Private Equity is managed by GP Advisors and has a proven track record of over a decade in the investment landscape.
Established in 2016, Norrsken22 is a Cape Town-based investment firm focusing on growth-stage companies within the tech sector across Africa. The fund prioritizes investments in medtech, ed-tech, and fintech sectors, with a particular focus on key tech hubs such as Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana.
Founded in 1995, SOSV is a global venture capital firm headquartered in New Jersey. It focuses on seed-to-growth stage investments in deep tech innovations, primarily in bio-tech/life sciences and hardware/robotics sectors, with a commitment to human and planetary health.
V8 Capital Partners is a venture capital firm established in 2017 and headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. The firm focuses on investing in technology and technology-enabled businesses throughout Africa, targeting sectors such as financial services, health, education, transportation, and agriculture. V8 Capital typically invests between $250,000 and $5 million in companies at various stages, from Series A to pre-IPO. In addition to its primary investment focus, V8 Capital occasionally engages in alternative asset management instruments for select limited partners.
Established in 2021, Reflect Ventures is a Boston-based venture capital firm focusing on seed and early-stage investments. It identifies promising startups globally, with an emphasis on emerging markets, and supports them through strategic partnerships and expert networks.
Knife Capital is an independent growth equity and venture capital firm based in Cape Town and London. Founded in 2010, it backs innovation-driven ventures with proven traction and helps them scale by accelerating international expansion beyond beachhead markets. Leveraging knowledge, networks, and funding, the firm supports entrepreneurial businesses across Africa to reach new markets and achieve product-market fit, guiding them from early traction to growth. Knife Capital has facilitated exits of local technology companies to major global buyers such as General Electric, Visa, Garmin, and Uber.
Silvertree Capital is a venture capital firm based in South Africa that focuses on incubation, seed, startup, and early-stage investments, primarily in the online and mobile sectors. The firm targets business models that are simple or proven, emphasizing B2C e-commerce and B2B2C sales while investing in growing markets across South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. Silvertree Capital utilizes the personal capital of its management and balance sheet investments to fund its initiatives. As a subsidiary of Silvertree Internet Holdings, it aims to leverage technology to efficiently reach African consumers, operating by launching, managing, and investing in companies that take advantage of the digital landscape. The firm seeks to create operational synergies among its portfolio companies, fostering a disciplined approach to capital efficiency and growth.
Crossfin Technology Holdings is a principal investment firm based in Cape Town, South Africa, with additional offices in Durban and Johannesburg. Founded in 2017, the firm focuses on investing in Fintech companies, particularly those situated in Africa. Crossfin aims to foster economic growth by supporting both high-growth startups and established businesses that generate cash flow. The firm seeks to provide investors with diverse exposure to technology investments within the Fintech sector, contributing to the development and advancement of financial solutions across the African continent and beyond.
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.
Founded in 2020, Remapped Ventures is a Toronto-based venture capital firm focusing on early-stage investments. It primarily backs companies operating in sectors such as work tech, fintech, edtech, food tech, housing tech, health tech, and artificial intelligence.
KNF Ventures is the venture capital arm of Knife Capital, based in Cape Town, South Africa. Founded in 2016, it provides equity funding to South African companies across sectors including software, information technology, healthcare, financial services and fintech, business products and services, as well as consumer and technology-enabled industries such as beverages, food and the Internet of Things.
88mph is a venture capital firm and accelerator founded in 2011, with headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, and an additional office in Cape Town, South Africa. The firm specializes in seed and early-stage investments, primarily targeting the mobile-web sector. It focuses on English-speaking African countries, particularly Nigeria and South Africa, and typically invests up to $100,000 in startups. In addition to funding, 88mph offers a three-month accelerator program that provides startups with essential resources, including mentorship on product development, market strategies, company structure, and scalability. The firm aims to enhance the growth prospects of early-stage technology companies by leveraging its network of founders, investors, and industry professionals.
Established in Cape Town, South Africa in 2017, Growth Grid Venture Capital Partners supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by offering growth capital alongside mentorship, commercial networks, market access, and post-investment assistance to foster sustainable economic growth.
Established in 2020 and headquartered in Cape Town, R-Ventures is a global investment holding company focusing on seed-stage and early growth-stage investments. It specializes in emerging market startups developing high-impact, technology-driven solutions.
Established in 2020, University Technology Fund is a venture capital firm based in Stellenbosch, South Africa. It focuses on investing in pre-seed, seed, and series A rounds for startups originating from South African universities.
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.
REdimension Capital is a Johannesburg-based financial services provider established in 2021, specializing in venture capital with a primary focus on the built environment. The company adopts an advisory-based approach to foster innovation and sustainability within the real estate sector. As a licensed entity operating under the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services (FAIS) Act, REdimension Capital is committed to regulatory compliance and maintaining high professional standards. The firm aims to reshape the future of South African real estate by making strategic investments in PropTech and clean technology initiatives. By creating an ecosystem that accelerates innovation, REdimension Capital seeks to contribute to the development of a more sustainable and efficient built environment.
Established in 2011, Caleo is a Johannesburg-based investment management firm that focuses on fostering relationships. It invests primarily in start-ups and operating companies across various sectors such as real estate, financial services, hospitality, manufacturing, education, logistics, and energy, with a primary focus on South Africa.
Established in 2021 and headquartered in Cape Town, Seed South Capital is a venture capital firm focused on investing in early-stage technology companies across South Africa. The firm aims to transform these enterprises into Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) compliant businesses, fostering a new generation of youthful entrepreneurs.
Jozi Angels is an angel network located in Johannesburg, South Africa, dedicated to enhancing the startup ecosystem and fostering the growth of innovative startups. The organization connects approved investors with early-stage companies, providing both capital and mentorship tailored to the investors' professional backgrounds. By aggregating resources and expertise, Jozi Angels enables larger investments and diversifies risk while facilitating effective deal sourcing and screening. The network also emphasizes the importance of community among its members, encouraging camaraderie and shared goals. Through their initiatives, including investments, events, and educational opportunities, Jozi Angels actively contributes to the development of South Africa's emerging innovation economy.
TEN13 is a venture capital firm and syndicated investment platform based in Fortitude Valley, Australia. Founded in 2019, it concentrates on backing ambitious early-stage startups across sectors including financial technology, product-led growth, creator tools, health and wellbeing, and API infrastructure. The firm operates a market-leading model that connects founders with co-investors to provide capital and support as companies grow.
VU Venture Partners is a venture capital investment firm established in 2018 and located in San Francisco, California. The firm specializes in multi-stage investments across various sectors, including consumer, enterprise, fintech, blockchain, healthcare, frontier technology, and real estate technology. By targeting these diverse industries, VU Venture Partners aims to support innovative companies that are poised for growth and transformation in their respective markets.
Founded in 2010, Orbit Startups is a venture capital firm investing in tech companies that digitize traditional industries. It focuses on emerging markets and aims to improve living standards sustainably across sectors like e-commerce, fintech, media, healthcare, education, and logistics. The firm offers a lifetime program with hands-on support for partnerships, business development, fundraising, growth, along with initial investment packages and follow-on funding.
Ground Squirrel Ventures is a Boston-based venture capital firm founded in 2018 that focuses on early-stage opportunities addressing climate change. The firm prioritizes frontier-market investments and clean energy initiatives, seeking to fund companies that advance climate mitigation and sustainable development. Its activity spans regions including Africa, with additional investments in Haiti, Asia, and Latin America, reflecting a global approach to deploying capital where climate-related challenges and growth potential intersect. Ground Squirrel aims to support seed-stage ventures that can scale impact in frontier markets and contribute to energy transition and environmental sustainability.