Empower Africa

Purple Elephant Ventures (PEV), a Nairobi-based venture studio, has raised $4.5 million in seed funding to revolutionize Africa’s tourism industry through technology. The funding round attracted prominent investors, including Clear Creek Investments, LLC , Klister Corp., and Fede Pirzo-Biroli of Playfair Capital. PEV aims to scale its startups and launch new ventures focused on sustainability and innovation. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/dHkfrK7t C.Wairimu Njuguna, PMP®, CPA-K. Eric Njoroge Ben Peterson Beatrice Ferreira Anthony Kiplimo Jan van der Does de Willebois Lucille Magoi Flora Johnson Kevin Gisore Kelvin Wachira Job Odhiambo Marco Saio Duke Obare Jacob Hason Todd Crescenzo, CFA Mike Tinskey Paul Ang David Smith, CFA, CA, CPA (Canada) Andrew Sheffield Federico Pirzio-Biroli Clare Zhang Henrik Wetter Sanchez Simon Blakey Chris Smith #empowerafrica #africa #investinafrica #funding #tourism #tech

Novastar Ventures has invested $3.5 million in Nairobi-based Sistema.bio / Sistema Biobolsa to scale its biogas technology across Africa. Sistema.bio converts animal waste into renewable energy and biofertilizer, benefiting over 100,000 farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/dNwY2bJ5 Maureen Kariuki Riki Yamauchi Abel Boreto Brian Waswani Odhiambo Sara Firouzyar Doreen Nabaho, Ph.D Steve Beck Dominic Michel Dayo Oduleye Sapna Shah Winnie Zesiro Andrew Carruthers Chiagozie Nwonu Maureen Njagi Ibrahim Gitau Verena Bruegelmann Marion Ombeva Alejandro Echeverri Adams Amenya Esau Kandie CHRP Annah Njogu Suman Sharma Joel Wetonyi,DipM.MCIM Joyce Cacho, CDI.D Eng. Madrin Maina Walter Ngode Esther Altorfer Wangui N. Denese Ayijuka Miguel Granados #empowerafrica #africa #investinafrica #RenewableEnergy #Agritech #GreenEnergy

LemFi, a remittance startup for African immigrants, has raised $53 million in a Series B round. Highland Europe, a London-based growth-stage investment firm, led the funding round. Existing investors, including Endeavor Catalyst, Left Lane Capital, Palm Drive Capital, and Y Combinator, also participated. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/dH-8GBDh Kakea Mbacha Aaron Musoke Ssebambulidde Chidera Gift Peters Afeez Ajigbotosho Precious Ama Kwartemaa Oduro Samit Sundaresan Ridwan Olalere Fatimah Abdullahi Habib Daiyaan Alam Semiu Olugbokiki Tamrath DEEN GUEDOU Kelechi Iwuagwu Alicia Garabedian Dami Akinleye Sanmi Lawal Temitope Adesoji Samuel Oluwasegun Oyinkansola Emmanuel , SPHRi, GMNIM, MILR, C-PM Eoghan Dorman David Blyghton Sam Brooks Fergal Mullen Efosa Ayanru Laurence Garrett Abhishek Lahoti Irena Goldenberg Rachel Schow Laura Sillman Magnus Karnehm Elizabeth Donovan #empowerafrica #africa #startupfunding #fintech

South African SaaS startup The Awareness Company has raised $1.6 million in seed funding to enhance AI capabilities and expand marketing efforts. Investors include NEXT176, Holocene, Catalyst Fund, and Jozi Angels, backing its mission to drive scalable impact.  Founded in 2018, the company uses its HYDRA platform, which integrates AI, IoT, and data analytics, to provide solutions in agriculture, conservation, and smart cities. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/dYSiuG5a Fareeah Vawda Priaash Ramadeen Estelle Lubbe Shazia Vawda Pratika Chung Philani Mzila CDFA Abu Cassim Keshni Morar Vuyo Mpako (Pr Eng) Rajiv Daya Collin Mamdoo S'onqoba Vuba Martin van Heerden Sipha Ndawonde Judy Henderson Maelis Carraro Rasima Swarup Javier Linares #empowerafrica #investinafrica #africa #seedfunding #startupfunding

Renew Capital has invested in Power Financial Wellness, Inc., a fintech platform enhancing financial management for workers in the formal and informal sectors. Operating in multiple countries, including Kenya and India, the platform provides services like earned wage access, savings, loans, and insurance financing. Power Financial Wellness aims to reduce financial stress and empower workers to manage their finances. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/dCMpME3r Esther Mwikali Antony Maina Shaynerose Magabi Paul Reynolds Postar Chikaoneka Agnes Mbuvi Raisa Chowdhury Solomon Bekalu Lucas Robinson Debi Dessalegn Calvin Chitangala Licínio Chissano Biruk Anteneh Laura Davis Chukwudi Ofili Nicholas Carl Clerk Mariah Grubb Nihal GRII Mary-Louise Kidaha Karim Ben Fadhel Tom Scriven, CFA Kenny NDAYISHIMIYE Emily Mahoney leah Wambui Brian Dempsey Virginiah Kinyuru Peter Munyi Prudence Carol Johan Bosini Henry Ongulo Lewis Munene Chandramanshu Singh #empowerafrica #africa #investinafrica

EdVentures, a leading Egyptian ed-tech venture capital firm, has invested six-figure amounts in Schoolz and Ibn Sina Training Academy. Schoolz offers safe, affordable student transportation, while Ibn Sina specializes in medical training programs like coding and medical translation. The investments expand EdVentures’ portfolio to 24 startups. Learn More: https://lnkd.in/dHHsWv5w Hassaan Mahdy Ahmed Nagib Abdallah Mamdouh Ahmed Nagib Haitham Fouad Amr El Abassy Mohamed said Nawar Abdelrahman, DBA, MBA, MSc. Hasnaa Fathy Hoda Yehia Belal Yahia Nehal Maghraby Musfer Alyami -SCPD Ayman Hamza Hosni Ahmed Abdelmunsef Esmail #empowerafrica #africa #investinafrica #EdTech #Startups #Innovation

PBR Life Sciences (Techstars '23) has raised $1 million in pre-seed funding to enhance AI infrastructure and expand into Ghana and Kenya. Founded in 2015, the company provides pharmaceutical firms with anonymized market data to optimize production and decision-making in African markets. Launch Africa Ventures, Microtraction, Kaleo Ventures, Octerra Capital , Marula Square, XA Africa, ARM Labs , and Techstars participated in the funding round. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dpxtY8nX Adeniyi Akiseku Julie Wole-Ajayi B.Pharm. MCIM 'Kemi Sope-Agbebi Adeoye Sobande Lola Thompson Duke Chartered FCIPD, MSC, MBA, MCIPM Akin Odubitan Sophia Runsewe, ACIPM, HRPL Ayodeji Alaran VICTORIA OBEY Israel J. Adebayo Michael Mutie Hannah Subayi Kamuanga Yele Bademosi Catherine Oyekan Dayo Koleowo Ire Aderinokun Chioma Chukwuemeka-Joseph (ACA) (FMVA) Ife Oyedele II Andrew Firman, CFA Onyeka Egonu Ashim Egunjobi #empowerafrica #africa #investinafrica #startupfunding #innovation #AI #HealthcareAnalytics #HealthTech

South African fintech Sourcefin has secured $8.2 million in funding from Futuregrowth Asset Management’s High Growth Developmental Equity Fund (HGDEF). Founded in 2020, Sourcefin provides financing and supply chain support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs), addressing critical gaps in working capital. The funding will enable Sourcefin to scale investments and support tender fulfilment, crucial for SMME growth in South Africa. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/d74-_EPH Brandon Davis Kurisani Sonia Makhubele Aleshan Maistry Daine Hand CA(SA) Joshua Kadish Cody Pooran Luca Cioffi Marom Mishan Jonah Fouché Jedd Harris Jared Wolf Jordan Hertz Avi Mishan Chris Marais Marc Ungar Amrishsingh Narrandes Smital Rambhai Musa Ngema, CFA Brian Masondo Denzil Kennon Yusuf Chothia Rookaya Ahmed Nersan Naidoo Lee Schilder Shelley Marshall Muhammad Fareez Davids Khaya Ntuli Riyaadh Davids Andrew Canter Nkanyiso Ninela CA(SA) Ameera Ebrahim Shay Douglas Jason Lightfoot Yunus January Nadia Ismail #empowerafrica #africa #investiafrica #SMMEFinance #Fintech

Africa has another unicorn. 🦄 South Africa’s TymeBank Group has raised $250 million in a Series D round to become the continent's ninth unicorn. The funding was led by Nu Holdings. Tyme serves over 15 million customers through its hybrid banking model and has provided $600 million in financing to small businesses. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dtNXp_b7 Luke Lanterme Jarred Deacon Coenraad (Coen) Jonker Rean Bloem Karl Westvig Senzi Skosana Estee Jason John Kane Heidi Stoffberg Erin Louw Hugo Mare Jessica Moshoeshoe Duke Mathebula Tommy Nel (CFA, ACMA CGMA) Tyler Posthumus Ashraf Abrahams Tebogo Matsokotsa Yusuf Dockrat Meghan Moir Jesse Luke Wilson Cheslyn Jacobs Moeketsi Moeng Marin Cundall Lonwabo Jwili Diketso Lebaka Cameron Chaplin Amrita Arjun (CISA, CIA, CRMA, CCSA) Shane Nair Nomonde Msewu Kele Boakgomo Sithembile Kobe Chris Becker Miguel Da Silva Lee-Anne Kalam Jason Ellinas Mmasetena N. Annelie Pretorius Thomas Harraway #empowerafrica #africa #investinafrica #TymeGroup #FintechInnovation #StartupFunding #DigitalBanking #Fintech

Incofin Investment Management has invested $1.55 million through its Nutritious Foods Financing Facility (N3F) to enhance food systems and nutrition. The first investment supports TRUK RWANDA in improving cold chain logistics, reducing food waste, and boosting farmers' income. The second investment focuses on Couvoir Amar in Senegal to increase domestic poultry production, making protein-rich food more affordable. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/d5rRw7Uc Herve Tuyishime Kerry Bunyolia Wanjiru Waithaka, CFA Emma Zawadi Awich Esther Mareka Ndolo Loïc De Cannière Christian Regnicoli, CAIA, MBA Aparna Pittie Fredrick Bennani Shonan Kothari Shege Ebale Paul Buysens Bineta Mbengue Ndiaye Myrtho Vlastou Seija Gadeyne Niels De Bie Liliane Umutoni Geert Peetermans #empowerafrica #investinafrica #africa #Agribusiness #SustainableAgriculture