Top Venture capital firms in Kenya 

Top Venture capital firms in Kenya 

Nairobi, Kenya is ranked the city with the second-best startup ecosystem in Africa and raised USD 435M in 2019. Kenya has also been the epicentre of East Africa’s PE and VC transactions in terms of volume and value since the last 5 years. As per a report published by the African Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (AVCA), in the period 2013-18, 110 of East Africa’s 194 PE and VC deals were conducted in Kenya. The value of these transactions stood at USD 1.3B. In this article, we cover 17 Venture Capital firms in Kenya, with various investment preferences in terms of geography, industry or company stage.  

TLcom Capital

Venture capital firm investing mostly in Europe, Israel, Southern Africa. It has been investing in tech-enabled companies across Europe, Israel and the US since 1999. The firm has made a Total of 44 investments, Out of which three were in the last 12 months. TLcom Capital invests mostly in Commercial Services, Communications and Networking and Software industry. Additionally, the firm has made 18 exits to date. They have a total of $233.87M assets under management and they are actively seeking new investments. 

Company Overview

Founded year: 1999

Primary investor: Venture capital

Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya

Active Portfolio: Okra inc, Ulesson, Ajua, Twiga foods and others

 

Fanisi

Private equity firm that invests in East African countries including Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda. Fainisi was founded by the Norwegian Investment Fund for Developing Countries (Norfund) and Amani Capital Limited. It has made 8 total investments out of which 3 are active. Fanisi’s portfolio includes companies from competitive agricultural, healthcare devices and supply sectors. The fund focuses on businesses which have been outside the gambit of most venture capital firms. It has $50M under management and has made 5 exits. The venture capital firm is actively seeking new investments.

Company Overview

Founded year: 2009

Primary investor: PE/Buyout

Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya

Active Portfolio: Live Ad limited, European foods Africa ltd, Kijenge Animal Products and others

 

Savannah Fund

Seed capital fund which invests mostly in sub-Saharan African countries including Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda. It has made a total of 31 investments out of which 19 are active. Savannah funds specialise in investments in early-stage high growth software companies. The fund aims to bridge the early stage and venture capital investment gap that exists in Africa. They are doing so by combining capital with mentor networks from both the region and Silicon Valley via an accelerator program. It is managed by an experienced and technology savvy team that have founded similar companies or have run successful accelerator programs in the past. But most importantly, they understand the sub-Saharan landscape. Savannah Fund is actively looking for investments. 

Company Overview

Founded year: 2012

Primary investor: Venture Capital

Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya

Active Portfolio: Orbit Health, Aerobotics, Unicaf and others

 

Adullam Investors

A venture capital firm based in Kitale, Kenya. The company majorly invests in small businesses targeting youth in need of startup capital and additional capital. The sectors in which Adullam Investors have invested in the past are Commercial Services, Consumer Non-Durables, Restaurants, Hotels and Leisure. In addition to providing funding to youth-led startups, Adullam also assists businesses with professional services and offers technical assistance. It majorly operates in Kenya only and is actively looking for new investments. 

Company Overview

Primary investor: Venture Capital

Headquarters: Kitale, Kenya

Active Portfolio: Letta snacks

 

African Technology Ventures

Venture capital firm based in Kenya investing in high potential startups in Sub Saharan Africa. They primarily fund companies that focus on increasing access to goods and services to African consumers. Additionally, the venture capital firm also invests in startups providing financial and market services. African Technology Ventures invests USD 100,000 to 5M in exchange for a minority stake in the startup. Moreover, the company also participates in multiple financing rounds. 

Company Overview

Founded year: 2015

Primary investor: Venture Capital

Headquarters:  Kenya

 

AFZA Capital

Invests in early-stage companies that have a social impact. The Nairobi based firm is looking to make ESG (environment, social and corporate governance) investments in seed, early-stage and later-stage companies. The venture capital firm funds East African startups, especially in the Agriculture, Educational and Training Services (B2C) and Software sectors. AFZA also provides entrepreneurial assistance to the startups it funds. It is a member of African Private Equity and Venture Capital association as well as East Africa Venture Capital Association (EAVCA). It has made a total of 2 investments and is actively seeking new investments

Company Overview

Founded year: 2020

Primary investor: Venture Capital

Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya

Portfolio: Daktari Africa, Popote pay

 

Angumi Global Capital

Investment firm that participates in private equity, buyout, venture capital, growth/expansion and real estate investments. Based in Nairobi, Kenya the firm invests in the non-financial service industry, particularly real estate, hospitality, infrastructure software, SaaS and data services, marketing tech, and healthcare sectors. Angumi Global Capital has made one investment and one exit since its inception. The firm is currently seeking new investments.

Company Overview

Primary investor: PE/Buyout

Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya

 

Cornerstone Enterprises 

A private investment firm based in Kenya. Cornerstone Enterprises invests primarily in Beverages, Environmental Services (B2B), Financial Services, Food Products, Industrial Supplies and Parts, Real Estate Services (B2C), Restaurants, Hotels and Leisure. The venture capital firm focuses on startups in the early stage and growth stage. Cornerstone rotates its body of directors every three years. The firm has experienced professionals in its investment committee, belonging to finance, investments and business fields. It has a total investment of 6, out of which 1 investment was made in the previous year. Cornerstone Enterprise has also made 1 exit and is seeking new investments.

Company Overview

Founded year: 2011

Primary investor: PE/Buyout

Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya

Portfolio: Jamii Bora Bank, Sanergy Limited, Acacia Innovations LTD and others

 

East Africa Capital Partners

Venture capital firm based in Nairobi, Kenya. The firm invests in startups belonging to the Eastern Africa region. East Africa Capital Partners is a technology, media, and telecommunications and networking industry-focused firm. The East African information and communications technology (ICT) sector is set to undergo a period of growth and therefore more and more startups from this industry would be funded. The micro VC firm has made a total of 3 investments out of which 1 is current. 

Company Overview

Primary investor: Venture Capital 

Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya

Portfolio: Wanachi Group

 

Enza Capital

Based in Kenya, Enza Capital is a venture capital firm that invests in information technology (IT) sector companies. It makes seed investments of up to USD 1M in startups operating in Sub-Saharan Africa. The company also provides entrepreneurial guidance and operations expertise to its funded startups, with the help of its deep industry networks and experienced team. It has made a total of 1 investment and is actively seeking investment opportunities. 

Company Overview

Founded year: 2018

Primary investor: Venture Capital

Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya

Portfolio: Sendy

 

FSD Africa

Provides early-stage, risk-bearing capital to startups in the financial sector in Africa. FSD Africa was founded in 2012 as a USD 35M financial sector development (FSD) programme. It is aided by the UK government and aims to reduce poverty across Sub-Saharan Africa by building efficient and inclusive financial markets. Mainly, it offers strategic and operational support to startups across the financial sector. It has made a total of 4 investments out of which 2 were in the last twelve months. It offers capital in various forms including guarantee, equity and quasi-equity.

Company Overview

Primary investor: Venture Capital

Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya

Portfolio: Sofala Capital, MFS Africa and more

 

Investeq Capital 

Venture capital firm based in Nairobi,  Kenya. Investeq Capital was formerly known as TradeCo Capital. It is an impact investor Which aims at developing the financial service industry in Africa By providing private equity and venture capital for new and growing startups. Investeq Capital Provide additional services such as Advising entrepreneurs, Offering investment options and advice, Business consulting And product to improve the financial capacity of the business. The farm is actively seeking new investments.

Company Overview

Founded year: 2002

Primary investor: Venture Capital

Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya

 

Kenya Feed the Innovation Engine

KFIE is an impact investment organisation. Identifies and fosters innovative And market-driven companies which provide solutions to problems such as food insecurity, Undernutrition and Poverty.  The innovation engine facilitates partnering people who design new concepts and products with investors With commercial potential. The selected startups are supported provisions of funding and technical assistance. Innovations that are inclusive of women and youth are given preference.  The Investments are focused mainly on Food Products and Other Services (B2C Non-Financial) And are actively looking for new investments. 

Company Overview

Primary investor: Impact Investment

Headquarters: Taita Taveta County, Kenya

 

Saviu Ventures

Africa focused Venture capital firm based in Nairobi, Kenya. Saviu Ventures invests primarily in Seed stage, early-stage and later-stage companies. It majorly invests in commercial products, commercial services, retail, E-Commerce, FinTech, and mobility sectors in Africa.  In addition to funding, it provides startups with feedback And mentoring.  The firm has a team of 15+ investors With diverse backgrounds and Deep experience to support the entrepreneurs. The venture capital firm has a portfolio of 9 Investments and a total of 11 Investments since its Inception.  They are seeking new investment.

Company Overview

Founded year: 2018

Primary investor: Venture Capital

Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya

Portfolio: Kamtar, Paps, Swyft and others

 

Sunu Capital

Early-stage venture capital firm investing in businesses which are Working to create an Inclusive and self-sustaining Future. The firm invests exclusively in Africa and the  Agriculture, Consumer Non-Durables, Logistics, Pharmaceuticals, Retail, Software, Transportation sectors. Sunu Capital also provides post-investment assistance In the form of additional capacity and capital that helps businesses grow and prepare to seek follow up investment. It has an active portfolio of 6 Investments Out of Which two were made in the last 12 months. Sunu Capital is actively seeking new investments.

Company Overview

Founded year: 2017

Primary investor: Venture Capital

Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya

Portfolio: Sendy, Neopenda, FarmDrive

 

TBL Mirror Funds

The TBL Mirror Funds Is a private equity firm and was set up in the Netherlands in 2007.  It Provides Private equity funds For East African and Nigerian High growth small And Medium  Enterprises( SMEs). The fund invests Mainly in Commercial Services, Healthcare Services, IT Services, Software sectors. The Nairobi based firm Consists of successful private individuals with various backgrounds from CEOs to venture capitalists. It has an active portfolio of 8 Investments and has made 2 exist since its Inception. The funds are currently looking for new investments.

Company Overview

Founded year: 2007

Primary investor: PE/Buyout

Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya

Portfolio: Amadiva, International Medical group and others

 

White Rhino Ventures

It is a Venture Capital firm based in Kenya, Africa. The company seeks to invest its funds primarily in Commercial Services, Other Financial Services, Software sectors of the African market. The firm invested in Tanda, a Kenyan platform that makes it easier to run a business by allowing shop owners to order and manage their inventory. White Rhino Ventures is currently seeking new investments. 

Company Overview

Founded year: 2004

Primary investor: Venture Capital

Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya

Portfolio: Tanda 

 

This research article has been produced by Investocracy, a company focused on connecting startups from emerging markets with Japanese investors. Are you a startup looking for investment? Please reach out to us at contact@investocracy.co