Axel Peyriere’s Post

As an established business, we don't always track what happens in the business startup space. It was with the pride of an African-domiciled business that I recently saw some statistics about the African business startup ecosystem and how it is experiencing a definite uptick in digital investment opportunities. In the third quarter of 2023 alone, African tech startups secured $1.4 billion in funding — that is quite a number! There is quite a bit of investor interest in digital startups in Africa. This influx of funds presents a significant strategic opportunity for both early-stage and more mature startups to secure the capital they need to expand and realise their potential. The sector isn't just growing; it's thriving with resilience, showcasing a robust 28% uptick in capital raised by these ambitious entrepreneurs. Digital investment "hotspots" are emerging across the continent, with Morocco, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Tunisia, Senegal, Ghana, Benin, and Tanzania leading the way in attracting the lion's share of these investments. With our rapidly growing footprint in the Business Process Outsourcing space, it is clear where our investment focus will be for the next few years. We will also track the activity of the regional accelerators and incubators and their investment focus. Africa has a vibrant investment climate, and we salute those early-stage ventures, innovative startups, and digital solutions that are leading the way in unlocking the continent's growth potential. Are you as excited as I am about Africa's emerging tech boom? I've left a link in the comments; have a look! #VintonGroup #AfricaTech #AfricanStartUps

🌍💡 Unlocking Africa’s Startup Potential: Building Local Investment Ecosystems 💡🌍 The African startup ecosystem faces significant challenges. In the first half of 2024, venture investments declined by 65%, according to the African Private Capital Association (AVCA). Historically, 77% of Africa’s venture funding has come from foreign sources, and the reduced foreign interest is being felt deeply. But here’s the truth: Africa’s future cannot depend solely on foreign investors. We must build a thriving local investment ecosystem. 💼 The Call to Action for Africa’s Wealthy: It’s time for our #African #millionaires and #billionaires to step up and invest in the continent’s innovation and entrepreneurship. Local angel investors and venture funds can drive a new wave of growth by backing startups that address Africa’s pressing needs in sectors like fintech, agritech, healthcare, logistics, and more. 🚀 The Opportunity Ahead: 1️⃣ Developing Early-Stage Companies: Strong local funding ecosystems can nurture startups with clear business models and scalable solutions, making them attractive to larger investors. 2️⃣ Empowering Local Entrepreneurs: African startups must focus on leveraging homegrown capital to create resilient businesses that reflect the continent’s unique needs. 3️⃣ Shifting the Narrative: Investing in startups isn’t just about profit—it’s about transforming economies, creating jobs, and building a sustainable future for Africa. 💬 Let’s Build the Future Together: This is a pivotal moment. By fostering local investment, Africa can reduce reliance on foreign funding and create a sustainable, self-reliant startup ecosystem. To our local investors: What’s stopping you from being part of Africa’s next big success story? #AfricaStartups #AngelInvestors #VentureCapital #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #LocalInvestment #SustainableGrowth 🌱🚀✨

#Nigeriaisopenforbusiness🚀 🎉 Congratulations to Tosin Eniolorunda, Felix Ike and their brilliant team at Moniepoint Group on raising $110M from investors, including Google, despite a global slowdown in fundraising for African startups! 🎉🎉🎉 With this milestone, Nigeria-based fintech Moniepoint has proudly achieved unicorn status 🦄, further solidifying Nigeria’s place on the global startup map. 🌍 Moniepoint Group joins an impressive lineup of innovative giants, including Flutterwave, OPay, Andela, Interswitch Group, and Jumia Group. For Venture Capital Firms, Angel Investors, Private Equity Firms, Family Offices, Corporate Venture Capital, Accelerators and Incubators, Crowdfunding Platforms, Sovereign Wealth Funds, Pension Funds, and University Endowments—now is the time to take notice! Nigeria’s booming ecosystem, valued at $9 billion and anchored in Lagos, offers one of the continent’s strongest tech hubs, where opportunities are driven by a young, tech-savvy population and an unmatched consumer market in Africa’s largest economy. 📈 Don’t miss your chance to support the next wave of groundbreaking startups in Africa! 🌟 . . . This may be the best time to Unlock Nigeria's Startup Potential with our Proven Expertise!🚀 💡 Why Invest? Largest market in Africa: With a population of over 200 million people.💰 Tap into unparalleled success with Olufola Wusu, a recognized market entry authority in Nigeria and with experience in six other African nations. Specializing in empowering firms, my team at Olufola Wusu strategically navigates complex regulations spotting value and helping to avoid risk throughout your market entry voyage. 💰 Expert Leadership: Recognized as a top market entry specialist in Nigeria, success in six African countries; Strategic Guidance: Navigate policies, regulations and local nuances seamlessly. #marketentry #Nigeria #Lagos #lawyers #Nigeriaisopenforbusiness #TechInnovationAfrica #NigeriaStartups #FundingAfrica #LagosTech #EmergingMarketsTech #AfricanUnicorns #FutureOfAfrica #InvestInAfrica #DigitalTransformationAfrica #VCinAfrica Invest in Denmark Invest in Finland Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) Finpro Scottish Development International Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) Trade and Development Bank Group - TDB Group Video Credit: Moniepoint Group

𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐠𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 $𝟓𝟐𝐌 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 $𝟕𝟓𝐌 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝 Breega, a European venture capital firm, has secured $52 million toward its new $75 million African fund, with plans to complete fundraising by the end of year. The firm has established offices in Lagos and Cape Town, Its partners Melvyn Lubega and Tosin Faniro-Dada oversee operations in these locations. The fund aims to invest in major African startup hubs including Nigeria, Egypt, South Africa, Kenya, and various Francophone countries. The investment strategy focuses on seed-stage investments ranging from $100,000 to $2 million, with 30-40% of the fund reserved for follow-on rounds. Backed by high-net-worth individuals, tech entrepreneurs, and institutions including Bpifrance and FMO, Breega has already invested in nine African startups over the past two years, including Kenyan fintechs Sava and Kwara, and Ugandan digital loan provider NUMIDA. The fund's investment focus aligns with Africa's projected population growth from 1.5 billion to 2.5 billion by 2050, targeting sectors crucial for development including agritech, edtech, healthtech, fintech, logistics, mobility, and energy. #VentureCapital #AfricanTech #StartupFunding #InnovationAfrica #Fintech #Healthtech #Agritech #BreegaAfrica #AfricanStartups

🌍 Most Active APAC Investors in African Startups 🚀 In recent years, the African startup ecosystem has captured the attention of international investors, including investors from APAC. These firms invested heavily in sectors such as fintech, agritech, and e-commerce, bringing in capital and global expertise to help African startups scale. From large funding rounds to strategic partnerships, these APAC investors are enabling African founders to innovate, expand into new markets, and bring cutting-edge solutions to global challenges: - Jack Ma Foundation and Alibaba Group Philanthropy through Africa's Business Heroes - Antler, led in Africa by Marie Nielsen and Melalite Ayenew - AAIC | Asia Africa Investment & Consulting, led by Shohei Namba, Shigeru Handa, and Hiroki Ishida - EMURGO, led by Ken Kodama - Kepple Africa Ventures, led by Takahiro（Taka） Kanzaki, Satoshi Shinada and Ryosuke (Rio) Yamawaki - mobility54, led by Takeshi Watanabe, Daiki Sato, Marika S, and Agnes Karwamba - MSA Capital, led by Jenny Zeng - SAMURAI INCUBATE, led by Rena Yoneyama - SBI Investment - TEN13, led by Steve Baxter, Stew Glynn, and An Vo - Tencent - UNCOVERED FUND, led by Takuma Terakubo and Papama Nyati 📧 If you want more details on each investor, check out our article in Startup Researcher Africa, and don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter. Source: Africa: The Big Deal #africa #APAC #investors #venturecapital

𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗮𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 $𝟮.𝟱𝗠 𝘁𝗼 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗽𝘀. Innovate Africa has launched with an initial $2.5 million to support early-stage startups across Africa. Co-founded by Kristin H. Wilson and Christian Idiodi, the sector-agnostic fund aims to empower entrepreneurs solving complex problems like insecurity, unemployment, and poverty through innovative technology. Innovate Africa's mission is to accelerate startups' journey from Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to Product-Market Fit (PMF) by providing insight-driven capital and access to a comprehensive ecosystem of resources. The fund plans to support up to 20 startups in its first year, offering an average investment of $50,000 per company. In addition to financial backing, Innovate Africa will provide expert guidance in finance, governance, public relations, and strategy, as well as access to its Product Leadership Accelerator program. Entrepreneurs interested in applying for funding can visit https://lnkd.in/dj7r98iT to submit their applications. The fund is looking for founders who meet six key criteria: Character, Credibility, Capacity, Courage, Competence, and Context Photo: Innovate AfricaCo-founders Kristin H. Wilson and Christian Idiodi | Courtesy.

++ Launch Africa Ventures Backs 7+ Startups Shaping Africa’s Future ++ Launch Africa, a leading African VC firm, has announced investments in more than seven exciting startups tackling key challenges across the continent. These investments highlight Launch Africa’s commitment to fostering innovation and growth across Africa’s diverse markets. #techafricanews #africa #investments #startup #key #challenges #innovation #growth #diverse #market

💵 VC Funding in Africa Faces Slowdown in Q1 2024 The African startup ecosystem experienced a significant funding slowdown in the first quarter of 2024, according to the latest industry report. Despite the challenges, there were some positive signals amidst the turbulence. Here are 3 key takeaways on VC trends in Africa for Q1 2024: 🔹 African startups raised $542 million across 153 deals in Q1 2024 year-to-date (Jan-Apr), a 45.62% decrease compared to the same period in 2023. However, the number of startups raising $1 million or more increased to 75 vs. 69 in 2023. 🔹 For the first time, Africa-based VCs accounted for the largest share (35%) of investors active in African startups in 2023, surpassing North America (30%) and Europe (25%). This shift highlights the growing prominence of domestic VC activity. 🔹 Among the leading Africa-based investors were firms from Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Mauritius, reflecting the continent's diverse VC landscape. As the African startup ecosystem navigates this challenging funding environment, domestic VC firms are emerging as key players, supporting local entrepreneurs and driving innovation across the continent. Share your thoughts on the Q1 2024 VC trends in Africa and the role of domestic investors in fostering a resilient ecosystem. 📝 Thank you all for your support and your trust 🔗 Don't forget to register and follow us on appcyto.com 👍 Like | 💬 Comment | 🔗 Share | ➕ Subscribe Connecting Africa, Empowering You! Africa: The Big Deal Azur Innovation Management Ventures Platform Fund Voltron Capital Renew Capital Founders Factory Africa Catalyst Fund Launch Africa Ventures Joachim Valot Tamara Lerner Corentin Grenon #Fintech #Angola #Africa #Tech #Finance #Inclusion #Innovation #Entrepreneurship #Payments #Investments #Efficiency #Transparency #Security #StationF #Remittances #YouthEmployment #EconomicGrowth #FinancialInclusion #SDG #TechInAfrica #StartupFunding #Fintech #Innovation #AfricanTechRevolution #VCTrends #AfricanStartups #VentureCapital #DomesticInvestors

🌟 The State of Angel Investment in Africa: Progress, Challenges, and the Need for Innovation 🌍💡 Angel investment in Africa has been growing steadily, fostering innovation and supporting startups. Yet, the ecosystem remains fragmented and territorial—angels often focus solely on their own countries, missing out on cross-border opportunities and collaboration. Here’s the truth: We need a bold, unified solution to take angel investment to the next level. 🌐 The Current Challenges: Fragmentation: Local focus limits collaboration and continental impact. Complexity: Platforms like Catalytic Africa are promising but lack sufficient promotion and feature a process that feels cumbersome for fast-paced startups. Misaligned Support: Development funding often mirrors bank-like bureaucracy, failing to fully grasp startups' needs for agility and speed. 🚀 The Game-Changer We Need: 1️⃣ A centralized, AI-powered platform that streamlines matchmaking between startups and investors. 2️⃣ Combining angel investment with crowdinvesting, making startup funding more inclusive and participatory. 3️⃣ A sustainable subscription model to ensure continuous platform improvement while reducing reliance on donor funding. 4️⃣ Expanding angel networks beyond borders, creating a truly continental ecosystem for African startups. 💡 The Role of ABAN: With its presence in 34 countries, #ABAN (African Business Angel Network) is uniquely positioned to lead this transformation. By leveraging its extensive reach and experience, ABAN could spearhead a next-generation platform that integrates angels across Africa, fosters cross-border collaboration, and makes investing as seamless as possible. 💬 The Opportunity: Imagine a startup in #Kenya receiving investments from angels in #Nigeria and #SouthAfrica through a unified platform. Picture a simplified process that uses #AI to match investors with startups and supports startups with real-time feedback, mentorship, and capital. Africa’s entrepreneurial potential is limitless—but we need infrastructure and innovation to make it thrive. Let’s Build the Future: It’s time to unite Africa’s angel investors and startups under one banner. Let’s simplify, innovate, and create a sustainable ecosystem that works for everyone. What’s your take? How can we unlock the full potential of angel investment in Africa? Share your thoughts! ⬇️ #AngelInvestment #StartupFunding #ABAN #AfricaInnovation #CrowdInvesting #Entrepreneurship #Collaboration #DigitalTransformation ABAN🌍✨

Unicorns in Africa Exploring Unicorn Status Startups in Africa ▪️ Africa's innovation landscape is dominated by fintech. This feature explores recent startups that have achieved unicorn status and the factors affecting innovation in Africa. Join us as we explore the underlying themes: ▫️ Africa's Innovation Landscape: Highlighting the dominance of fintech in Africa's innovation landscape and the rise of unicorn startups. ▫️ Causative Factors: Exploring why fintech leads Africa's innovation; the need for financial inclusion demands and rapid mobile money adoption. ▫️ Current Unicorn Status Startups: Analysing the recent unicorns; Flutterwave, OPay, and Moniepoint . ▫️ Case Study: Flutterwave: Detailing Flutterwave's strategic growth to a $3 billion valuation through partnerships and diverse product offerings. ▫️ Case Study: OPay: Summarising OPay's rise to a $2 billion valuation by leveraging diversified services and strategic investments. ▫️ Case Study: Moniepoint: Describing Moniepoint's funding journey, achieving a $1 billion valuation through a significant Series C round. ▫️ Innovation Hotspots: Identifying Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa as key regions with vibrant ecosystems and significant investment activities. ▫️ Drivers of Innovation: Discussing drivers such as a young, tech-savvy population, increased mobile tech access, supportive policies, and funding incentives. ▫️ Challenges to Innovation: Analysing obstacles like political instability, infrastructure deficits, and low VC activity as major impediments. ▫️ Future Trends in Innovation: Looking at future prospects in fintech, Agri-Tech, and renewable energy sectors, with a need for accelerators and VC funding. ▪️ Africa is making headway in the innovation and entrepreneurship landscape as we've seen in the rise of unicorns of late and this presents many business opportunities. Follow along as we dive deeper in the slide deck. #AfricanUnicorns #FintechInnovation #BusinessOpportunity #StartupSuccess #InnovationHub #BusinessDevelopment #BussinessGrowth