The fund aims to support up to 20 early-stage startups in its first year, focusing on ventures that use technology to tackle critical challenges like insecurity, unemployment, and poverty.

This launch comes amidst a complex funding landscape for African startups.

While total equity funding reached $2 billion in 2023, a 43% decline from the previous year, recent months have shown signs of recovery. As of May 2024, African startups raised $187 million, a 149% increase from April’s figures.

Innovate Africa Fund seeks to address the specific needs of early-stage founders by providing strategic capital to help startups navigate the crucial stages from ideation to market fit and secure further funding.

“Our goal is to empower founders to accelerate their growth trajectory,” said a spokesperson for Innovate Africa Fund. “We go beyond just financing; we offer comprehensive support across finance, governance, public relations, and strategy.”

The venture fund will offer an average investment of $50,000 per startup alongside tailored support in areas like product development, market fit achievement through the Product Leadership Accelerator program, and connections to skilled professionals through their partner network.

Co-founded by Kristin Wilson and Christian Idiodi, Innovate Africa Fund positions itself as a “founder-centric” catalyst fund within a broader ecosystem.

Through the Innovate Africa ecosystem, portfolio companies will gain access to experienced advisors and operators, both locally in Africa and internationally, to ensure they have the resources needed to thrive.