Launch Africa Ventures

Launch Africa Ventures is a prominent Pan-African venture capital firm dedicated to bridging the significant funding gap for Seed and pre-Series A technology startups across Africa. The firm employs a high-touch, high-scale approach to identify and support promising ventures across diverse sectors, including fintech, artificial intelligence, logistics, healthcare, e-commerce, edtech, climate tech, and agritech. Their investment strategy focuses on backing startups that address critical challenges and demonstrate strong market opportunities within the African continent, aiming to foster innovation and transform the region's economic landscape.

The firm was co-founded in 2020 by Zachariah George and Janade Du Plessis, who have been pioneers in early-stage venture capital in Africa since 2014. George's background in investment banking and angel investing, combined with Du Plessis's expertise in entrepreneurship, research, and banking, laid the foundation for Launch Africa Ventures. Since its inception, the firm has rapidly grown, investing in over 150 startups across 22 African countries and establishing itself as one of the most active seed-stage VC funds on the continent.

Launch Africa Ventures has built a diverse portfolio, with notable investments in companies such as Kuda, a neobank offering digital banking services in Nigeria; MarketForce, a B2B e-commerce retail platform in Kenya; and GOMYCODE, an edtech startup providing digital skills training in Tunisia. Other portfolio companies span various sectors, including financial software (Liquify, VaulFi), media (Baskett, Lounges.tv), and business/productivity software (Andela). The firm has also achieved successful exits with companies like Orcas, Kashat, and Baia, demonstrating its ability to generate returns for its investors.

The Launch Africa Ventures team comprises experienced professionals with a deep understanding of the African market. Co-founders Zachariah George and Janade Du Plessis lead a diverse team that includes investment managers, portfolio associates, and a robust investment committee. This collective expertise enables the firm to provide not only capital but also strategic guidance and access to extensive global advisory networks and corporate distribution channels across Africa, thereby unlocking significant value for its portfolio companies.