
Aquarech Secures $1.7 Million to Empower Kenyan Fish Farmers
Aquarech, a Kenyan fish farming startup, has announced a successful $1.7 million equity funding round that will fuel its mission to empower small-scale fish farmers in Kenya.
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Beltone Holding has introduced a new private equity division designed to support companies as they grow from early financing rounds to the verge of going public, marking a significant expansion of its investment services.
The newly formed unit will operate alongside Beltone Venture Capital, the group’s existing venture arm, and will be headed by Ali Mokhtar, who serves as CEO and Managing Partner of Beltone Venture Capital.
The firm says the initiative will help fill financing gaps for founders by providing consistent backing through multiple stages of a company’s development.
In a statement announcing the platform, Beltone described the launch as a key milestone in building out its full-spectrum investment capabilities.
The company said the move signals its intent to be a reliable long-term capital partner for high-growth businesses, offering funding from early pre-seed investments all the way through to pre-IPO readiness.
The decision comes after Beltone completed a second capital raise in 2025, with the bulk of that capital raise coming from international investors.
By adding a private equity arm, Beltone aims to bridge the so-called “growth-stage valley” where start-ups often struggle to attract larger sums from institutional investors before they reach public markets.
The integrated setup is intended to create a smoother financing path for businesses within Beltone’s ecosystem and beyond.
Industry observers say the expansion reflects broader trends in the Middle East and North Africa’s investment landscape, where firms increasingly seek to offer end-to-end capital solutions to retain high-potential companies through successive funding rounds.
The new private equity platform is expected to strengthen Beltone’s position in the regional investment market and provide scaling businesses with better access to growth capital as they prepare for eventual institutional investment or IPO milestones.

Aquarech, a Kenyan fish farming startup, has announced a successful $1.7 million equity funding round that will fuel its mission to empower small-scale fish farmers in Kenya.

Gaia Impact, a cleantech investment firm focused on Africa, has raised a new $42 million fund to support early-stage startups developing sustainable solutions for the continent.

Rwandan electric motorcycle manufacturer Ampersand has announced a $2 million Series A extension, bringing its total funding to $21.5 million.