Biola Alabi: From Media Executive to VC Leader Shaping Africa’s Innovation Future

She is the General Partner at Acasia Ventures, a venture capital firm that backs early-stage technology startups in Africa and the Middle East.

In this role, she works closely with founders, helping them build companies that are solving real problems—from financial inclusion to healthcare, education, and access to food.

Acasia Ventures is known not just for providing capital but for offering long-term support to startups through strategy, mentorship, and connections to regional and global networks.

Biola brings her expertise in media, consumer behavior, and business operations to guide these companies through early growth and scale.

Alongside her work at Acasia, Biola serves as the Deputy Chair of the Board of Governors at the Lagos Angel Network (LAN).

LAN is one of the most active angel investment groups in West Africa, focused on mobilizing local capital to support Nigerian startups.

Through this role, Biola advocates for stronger investment ecosystems and helps first-time angel investors find, evaluate, and back high-potential ventures.

Her approach to investing is rooted in impact, as she places strong emphasis on supporting female founders, underrepresented entrepreneurs, and companies creating inclusive solutions.

She is particularly passionate about ensuring that Africa’s next generation of leaders and innovators are well-resourced and mentored.

Before becoming a full-time investor, Biola had a successful career in media, serving as Managing Director for M-Net Africa, where she led the growth of the Africa Magic brand and supported the rise of Nollywood across the continent. 

Under her leadership, Africa Magic expanded from a single channel to several regional ones in different African languages.

Her work helped increase visibility for African stories and boosted the creative economy.

She later launched Biola Alabi Media, a content production company that produced well-received Nigerian films and TV series, including Banana Island Ghost and Lara and the Beat.

Biola has also mentored hundreds of young innovators, served as a speaker and judge at entrepreneurship programs, and contributed to policy and ecosystem conversations around startup funding in Africa.