The Possible’s Post

That’s a wrap! 🎉 The #EarlyStageFinanceConference2024 came to an inspiring close, and what a journey it has been! The final day was all about showcasing #innovativesolutions and fostering strategic conversations around #climateresilience and early-stage financing. 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞: 🔸 A deep dive into climate solutions with our portfolio fund managers, who are supporting visionary projects that directly impact communities and local economies. 💭 Insightful discussions on early-stage finance models, where we explored how innovative fund structures and capital stacks are crowding in local capital to scale these businesses. ➕ The Development Impact workshop, where participants collaborated to develop a comprehensive Theory of Change for Early-Stage Finance, laying the groundwork for financing models that truly foster inclusive, sustainable growth. ⚙️ Workshops focused on operationalizing ESG and gender inclusion, emphasizing the critical role of gender-responsive financing in #Africa’s financial future. The energy and insights shared throughout the conference have left us feeling inspired and hopeful about the future of inclusive finance and climate solutions across the continent. 🌍 It’s clear that we’re only just beginning to unlock the full potential of early-stage finance in #Africa, and we’re thrilled to be at the forefront of this transformative movement. -- Juliet Munro, Anne-Marie Chidzero, Reshma Shah, Mary Kashangaki, Shannon Wangwe, Waithera Njiiri, Keziah Kibata, LENAH MORAA, Judith Nekesa, May Yego, Zee de Gersigny, Loreen Gitonga, Golda Bagaja, Amos Gachuiri, Nicolas Kirui, Ian Muiru — Nithio, Holocene, First Circle Capital, Five35 Ventures, iungo capital, Linea Capital, Catalyst Fund, FrontEnd Ventures, Africa Climate Ventures, Climate Resilient Africa Fund, Persistent

It’s been an interesting week for us at the Africa Impact Summit live in Nairobi, Kenya. Themed "Accelerating Impact for The Africa We Want through Impact Investing", the event serves as a platform for dialogue between leaders and experts from various sectors influencing impact investing across the continent. Our Executive Director, Kehinde Ayeni participated in a plenary session on ‘African Entrepreneurial Ecosystems: Building and Scaling Impact Driven Businesses in Africa’ alongside other panelists including @Griffin Murray, Managing Director, Black Ivy Group LLC , Habiba Ali Founder/CEO, Sosai Renewable Energies Company, Ruth Onyango Water (KIFFWA), and moderated by Etemore Glover - (MBA) CEO, Impact Investors Foundation. Kehinde Ayeni spoke about lack of access to funding as one of the peculiar challenges that impede the development of businesses and the entrepreneurial ecosystem from scaling. She stated the need for African businesses to co-create innovative solutions and expand the ones that are already working in one region to another. She also highlighted the work we do at the Social Innovative Program (SIP) and how LEAP Africa’s interventions have led to significant impacts on social entrepreneurs. Young innovators are able to transform their ideas into viable products, earn a living, expand and scale into a different markets or regions. To know more about our programmes, visit www.leapafrica.org  #entrepreneurialecosystems #impacts #innovators #africanbusinesses #impactfunds #leapafrica

The #EarlyStageFinanceConference2024 was a gathering that went beyond surface-level discussions, diving into the intricate details of the financial landscape for Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) in #Africa. The General Partners (GPs) in attendance didn't just share their success stories; they took a critical look at the challenges they face in portfolio management and the innovative solutions they are developing to overcome these hurdles. From emerging trends to practical tools, the conference provided a holistic view of how the finance ecosystem is evolving to support small businesses. The diverse range of attendees contributed to a rich conversation, sparking insights that further highlight #Africa’s potential. As collaboration between stakeholders deepens, it's clear that the continent is steadily moving towards unlocking unprecedented economic growth. -- #MakingFinanceWork #EarlyStageFinance #InnovativeSolutions -- Juliet Munro, Anne-Marie Chidzero, Reshma Shah, Mary Kashangaki, Shannon Wangwe, Waithera Njiiri, Keziah Kibata, LENAH MORAA, Judith Nekesa, May Yego, Zee de Gersigny, Loreen Gitonga, Golda Bagaja, Amos Gachuiri, Nicolas Kirui, Ian Muiru, Christian Ekpo -- Nithio, Holocene, First Circle Capital, Five35 Ventures, iungo capital, Linea Capital, Catalyst Fund, FrontEnd Ventures, Africa Climate Ventures, Climate Resilient Africa Fund, Persistent, Aruwa Capital Management

We spoke to Nicola Tyler, Founder of The Thinking Company during #AESIS2024 and this is what she had to say about the summit: "When I think of this event, I think it should be bigger because when you look at Africa’s population growth and its future, it’s impossible that there isn’t more interest. This is the continent of the future." How will you view this? Is it the biggest problem or the biggest opportunity? Nicola's sentiment serves as a powerful rallying call for stakeholders, particularly at events like the Africa Early Stage Investor Summit. By framing the narrative around the continent's future as "the next frontier for global investment and innovation", it could attract more attention from investors, diaspora networks, and global partners who may still underestimate Africa's potential. Watch this clip for more insights! #InnovatingPathways ABAN VC4A

🌍 Transforming Challenges into Opportunities: Summary of the Panel on Impact Businesses Supporting Ukraine’s Recovery 💪 On 29th November, we had the honor of co-hosting the panel Transforming Challenges into Opportunities at Impact Europe, where we explored how impact-driven businesses and social enterprises are leading the way in Ukraine’s recovery. Key Takeaways: 🔹 Social enterprises have proven their adaptability, addressing urgent needs, providing humanitarian aid, and rebuilding local communities. 🔹 Investments in impact-driven businesses are critical for establishing sustainable systems, fostering long-term growth, and benefiting not just Ukraine but its international partners. 🔹 Blended finance—a model combining donor funding with private investment—was identified as a pivotal step forward. Organizations like USAID and IOM (UN) view this as a key approach to driving resilience and recovery. 💡 We are proud to pioneer blended finance in Ukraine, working with partners on the ground to develop innovative frameworks that can lead this movement. 🗣️ Highlights from the panel: ✨ Jonathan Robinson underlined the value of building ecosystems that can sustain social initiatives even amidst crises. ✨ Markus Lux stressed the importance of making Ukraine mainstream in the global impact investment agenda and emphasized the role of local conveners, with The Possible serving as a unifying force for Ukraine’s impact ecosystem. ✨ Alena Kalibaba shared how Ukrainian Social Venture Fund has empowered businesses to find innovative solutions to the challenges brought by war. ✨ Olesya Volska-Zaluska highlighted the barriers faced by small and medium enterprises and how USAID’s grants help them scale up and thrive. ✨ Viktoria Mianovska showcased success stories of Ukrainian impact entrepreneurs, proving that even during war, growth and resilience are achievable. 📢 Core Message: Ukraine must be made mainstream! Impact investors must recognize the unparalleled opportunities within Ukraine’s thriving impact ecosystem. Despite the risks, the potential for transformative, high-impact outcomes is immense. 💙💛 Check out more photos in comments! #ImpactInvesting #UkraineRecovery #BlendedFinance #SocialEnterprises #InvestInTheFuture #RebuildingUkraine

As we step into #2025, I’m filled with excitement about what this year holds! Some of the #trends I believe will shape the year ahead: Advancements in #Technology: The rapid growth of AI-driven companies and the expansion of 4G and 5G networks present substantial investment opportunities in Africa's technology sector.  Development of #Carbon Markets: Progress in carbon market regulations is expected to provide new fiscal opportunities, enabling African countries to monetise and attract climate-focused investments.  Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): An increasing recognition of the value of PPPs in achieving social and environmental goals Natural Capital: Investments focusing on conservation efforts in Africa's rich ecosystems are on the rise, balancing environmental preservation and restoration with sustainable economic development. Our Vision at Anza Capital: This year, we’re focused on raising and closing Seed Fund II! We are determined to continue bridging the funding gap for startups in Southern and East Africa. Expect more #collaborations, impactful #investments, and stories of #growth as we continue to empower the next generation of African innovators. Audrey Verhaeghe Van-Lee Gunyere, MBA Anza Capital Diana Silali

I finally submit to LinkedIn's new trend, but happy to reflect on what I am most looking forward to in the new year. Happy Holidays & Happy New Year 🤗 In 2024, I discovered that building resilient investment ecosystems in Africa requires more than just capital—it demands new models, deep technical understanding, and global perspective. Key transformations this year: → Developed framework for addressing thin market challenges in African venture capital → Advanced new investment model combining equity, concessionary debt, and post-investment support → Built bridges between African innovation and global deep tech ecosystems → Deepened expertise in climate tech and sustainable development From Stockholm to Cape Town, 2024 reinforced my conviction: we must build stronger bridges between African innovation and global ecosystems. Successfully graduated from UCT's Impact Investing in Africa program, joined Impact Pioneers '24 across 22 countries, and engaged with pioneering innovators at Sting in Stockholm. Looking ahead: 2025 will focus on implementing new investment models that bridge the gap between African innovation and global capital markets. We're building without boundaries, maintaining our commitment to sustainable development and climate resilience. To every entrepreneur and investor working to transform Africa's venture ecosystem: your persistence in solving real challenges inspires our continued innovation in investment approaches. #impactpioneers24 #pioneerthepossible

As we approach Africa Early Stage Investor Summit 2024, I'm reflecting on Mauritius' unique position in the African investment landscape. 🇲🇺🌍 Having witnessed Mauritius' role as a gateway for African investments during my private equity days, I'm convinced we can replicate this success in early-stage investing. 🚀 Since COVID-19, we've seen a surge in innovative entrepreneurs tackling real societal and environmental challenges. Yet, a critical gap remains — early-stage funding. Too many promising ventures wither due to lack of financial support. 🌱 At Mo Angels, we're proud to have nurtured entrepreneurs from their earliest days, watching them grow and make an impact. But we need more. We need policies that encourage angel investing, innovative financing instruments, and a shift in mindset 🔄💡. In this dynamic era, Mauritius has a significant opportunity to position itself as a key player in Africa's entrepreneurial ecosystem. We have the foundation to become a launchpad for innovative ventures across the continent. 🙌🏽 #AESIS2024 is an important step in this journey. It's a chance for us to learn, connect, and collaboratively address the challenges in early-stage investing. 🤝📈 #AESIS2024 #EarlyStageInvesting #MoAngels #AngelInvesting #StartupEcosystem #Innovation #Africa #Mauritius

Last week, Charles I. Nweke represented the Catalyst Fund at Ventures Platform's Africa Prosperity Summit. The summit, themed "Funding the Next Billion: Africa's VC Investment Landscape in a Post-ZIRP Era," brought together incredible speakers and panelists from the investment ecosystem across Africa and beyond. Here are Charles' 3 key takeaways from APS2024 ✅ Untapped potential: Africa's youthful population presents significant unrealized potential. The correlation between median age and economic prosperity seen in other emerging markets highlights opportunities for growth and innovation on the continent. ✅ Investing in talent: Equitable access to education and workforce development is critical for ensuring Africa's talent base can fully capitalize on the demographic dividend as the continent approaches peak productivity years and prepares to lead the global climate workforce of the future. ✅ Addressing diversity gaps: The persistent lack of investment in gender lens initiatives and diversity-focused strategies is no longer tenable. Collaborative, small-scale actions across ecosystem players can drive significant progress toward a more prosperous and inclusive Africa. A big thank you to Ventures Platform for hosting such a thought-provoking summit. We're excited about future collaborations to unlock Africa's full potential! 🚀 Lyndsay Holley Handler, Biola Alabi, Charlie Robertson, Maelis Carraro Maxime Bayen, Rasima Swarup, Javier Linares, Ngetha Mwangi, Valiullah Hashmi, Sydney Thiam, Maureen K.

Since 2018, Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G Partnerships) has been tackling a critical challenge: helping climate startups in low- and middle-income countries bridge the gap between microcredit and international investment. Join entrepreneurs and leaders from public, private and philanthropic sectors to learn how P4G is: 🌱 Enhancing local ecosystems 📉 Reducing investment risks 🔐 Unlocking opportunities for private sector involvement Event details: 📅 November 14, 2024 🕒 9:00 - 10:00 AM +04 📍 Republic of Korea Pavilion Hosted by the Republic of Korea. #ClimateAction #ClimateFinance #Entrepreneurship