Proparco is a French government organization established in 1977, dedicated to promoting private sector funding in sustainable development. Based in Paris, the firm focuses on financing and supporting companies and financial institutions across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Proparco's investment strategy emphasizes key development sectors such as renewable energy, infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, and financial services. The organization aims to strengthen the contributions of private actors towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the international community. Proparco finances projects that create jobs, provide essential goods and services, and combat climate change, offering a range of financial instruments including loans, equity, and guarantees. Its interventions are designed to enhance the resilience of communities and promote sustainable economic growth in emerging markets.
Novastar Ventures Ltd is a venture capital firm established in 2014 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with additional offices in Lagos, Nigeria, and London, United Kingdom. The firm specializes in seed, start-up, early to late venture, and growth capital investments, primarily targeting education, healthcare, agri-business, food, and water sectors. Novastar Ventures focuses on serving Base of Pyramid (BoP) markets in East and West Africa, Asia, Europe, and the United States. The firm typically invests between $0.25 million and $8 million in innovative companies that aim to profitably address the needs of East Africa’s aspiring mass market. Rather than viewing themselves solely as fund managers, Novastar Ventures emphasizes collaboration with entrepreneurs to transform ideas into impactful businesses, fostering innovation, accountability, and wealth accumulation for the common good.
AfricInvest, founded in 1994 and based in Tunis, Tunisia, is a leading private equity investment firm within the Integra Group. With a focus on small and medium enterprises across Africa, it manages USD 1 billion across 16 funds and employs 66 professionals in seven offices. The firm specializes in high-growth sectors such as financial services, agribusiness, consumer/retail, education, and healthcare, having invested in 135 companies across 25 African countries. AfricInvest benefits from strong support from local and international investors, including prominent development finance institutions. As a co-founder of the African Venture Capital Association and other regional organizations, the firm actively promotes the growth of the private equity industry in Africa. Its extensive network of executives and expertise positions AfricInvest as a significant player in fostering economic development on the continent.
Village Capital is a Washington, D.C.-based venture capital firm founded in 2009 that focuses on early-stage and seed investments in sectors such as agriculture, education, energy, financial services, and healthcare. The firm aims to empower entrepreneurs by employing a unique peer-support model, allowing entrepreneurs to select the ventures that receive pre-committed seed funding at the conclusion of its programs. Village Capital connects high-potential entrepreneurs with essential resources, fostering innovation and growth. It operates both a nonprofit that provides training for founders and a for-profit investment fund that invests in top program graduates, having supported over 1,000 entrepreneurs and more than 550 enterprises across various global regions. The firm has achieved notable success, with its alumni generating significant revenue and creating thousands of jobs, while maintaining a high recommendation rate among participants.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) is a member of The World Bank Group that focuses on fostering sustainable economic growth in developing countries through private sector investment. It provides a range of financial services, including loans, equity investments, quasi-equity products, and advisory services aimed at supporting startups and various stages of company development. IFC invests in sectors such as agribusiness, financial services, health, education, infrastructure, global manufacturing, oil and gas, telecommunications, and tourism, with a particular emphasis on projects that promote food security, digital finance, and affordable healthcare. The organization targets investments ranging from $1 million to $100 million, often seeking minority stakes but may also take a majority position in its portfolio companies. IFC aims to create jobs, generate tax revenues, and enhance corporate governance in emerging markets, thus contributing positively to local communities. Established in 1956 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., IFC operates globally with offices across various regions, focusing its efforts on financing projects that align with its mission of improving lives in developing countries.
Oikocredit is a financial institution established in 1968 and based in the Netherlands. It focuses on empowering individuals and communities by providing funding to the microfinance sector, fair trade organizations, cooperatives, and small to medium enterprises. Oikocredit aims to create sustainable opportunities for people in need, enabling them to improve their own circumstances through access to financial resources.
E3 Capital is an investment firm that focuses on enhancing energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa. It serves as an advisor to the Energy Access Venture Fund, which is dedicated to financing entrepreneurial businesses that tackle the region's electrification challenges through innovative technologies and business models. The fund is supported by Schneider Electric, a leading energy management company, along with various public-sector investors. E3 Capital aims to promote sustainable energy solutions to address the significant energy access gap in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Swedfund International AB is a government-owned investment firm based in Stockholm, Sweden, founded in 1979. The firm specializes in direct and fund of fund investments, focusing on emerging markets in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe. Swedfund does not invest in Swedish businesses or in sectors such as weapons, tobacco, or alcohol. It seeks to provide risk capital through various financial instruments, typically investing between SEK 5 million and SEK 100 million. The firm targets seed, start-ups, and mid to late-stage ventures, often taking a minority stake in its portfolio companies while ensuring its investments do not exceed one-third of the total investment. Swedfund aims for an exit within five to ten years and actively participates in the governance of its investments by taking a Board seat and engaging in investment committees. With an additional office in Nairobi, Kenya, Swedfund is dedicated to fostering sustainable development through responsible investment.
Founders Factory is a prominent startup accelerator and venture studio that partners with entrepreneurs and corporates to build and scale technology startups globally. Established in 2015, it focuses on reducing the risks associated with startup development by providing capital, operational support, and access to established corporate networks. The firm has created a diverse portfolio of over 200 tech companies, including more than 35 startups developed from inception within its Venture Studio. In Africa, Founders Factory Africa, founded in 2018, specifically targets investments in sectors such as health, energy, fintech, and education, emphasizing scale, technology, and social impact. In exchange for a seed investment and operational assistance, the firm acquires equity in the startups it supports, aiming to help them transition into viable and sustainable businesses.