Paving the Way for Africa’s Next Generation of VCs
We’re excited to announce that at Obuntu Foundation, we’re launching today! Our community is on a mission to advance the next generation of Africa-focused Fund Managers; because we believe Emerging Fund Managers, many who were founders and operators in Africa, are uniquely positioned to drive superior, inclusive returns for the continent while driving capital to underrepresented founders, geographies, and opportunities.
The Obuntu Launchpad Fellowship is at the heart of what we currently do at the Foundation. Kicking off in 2022 — the Fellowship supports Africa-focused first-time Fund Managers to launch, raise and operationalise their first investment vehicle. The Launchpad Fellowship runs twice a year.
We’ll be back very soon with a more detailed introduction to our Fellows from the Inaugural Launchpad Fellowship (OL1). But for now, here are our Fellows from OL1:
- Shikoh Gitau, Qhala [Kenya]
- Joe Kinvi, HoaQ [Togo]
- Rumbi Makanga, Origin Twenty [United Kingdom]
- Emmanuel Adegboye, Madica [Nigeria]
- Iretimipo Kukoyi, Alpha Gaps [Nigeria]
- Charnez Jacobs, Aspiring Fund Manager [South Africa]
- Yewande Odomosu, HoaQ [Nigeria]
- Sewu-Steve Tawia, Jaza Rift Ventures [Ghana]
- Annalisa Mensah, Origin Twenty [United Kingdom]
As you can see, we’ve got a mix of backgrounds, geographies, sectors, industries, and stages.
Here’s what some of our OL1 Fellows have said about our Fellowship:
“The content was explicitly structured for and razor focused on Africa.”
- Shikoh Gitau, Qhala, Obuntu Fellow (OL1)
“The Obuntu Launchpad Fellowship is one of the proudest things I’ve done this year.”
- Yewande Odumosu, HoaQ, Obuntu Fellow (OL1)
“The Fellowship has provided me with valuable, comprehensive insights and knowledge that I have been able to immediately apply to my thinking about the fund. Our session leads were also incredible, with each VC industry veteran bringing unique and Africa-specific perspectives and expertise to the table. But above all that, the Fellowship Community and the Obuntu Team had such a positive and collaborative vibe, creating an environment that was both intellectually stimulating and supportive.”
- Annalisa Mensah, Origin Twenty, Obuntu Fellow (OL1)
We’re currently taking nominations for our upcoming Obuntu Launchpad Fellowship (OL2). So if you have any first-time Fund Managers that are a part of your network wanting to revolutionise the African VC landscape, let us know. You can nominate them on our website.
Why the Obuntu Launchpad Fellowship? What do you gain from joining?
We’ve created the Obuntu Launchpad Fellowship in an effort to foster innovation and economic growth in Africa; and are dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by local first-time Fund Managers in Africa, enabling them to thrive in Africa’s rapidly evolving VC ecosystem.
Our curriculum has been co-designed with and is delivered by African and global leaders in VC. Sessions are driven by leaders from pre-eminent African VCs like RareBreed, TLcom, and Helios; Global superstar VCs like the Hustle Fund, Better Tomorrow Ventures, Rarebreed Ventures — as well as LPs that create change in Africa like the Small Foundation, BlinkCV and Capricorn.
That’s just a few of the names that work with us — more to come.
We want to foster a vibrant VC ecosystem in Africa by providing comprehensive support to our first-time Fund Managers. As such, we focus on the following objectives:
- Catalyse Investment. Provide fundraising and LP engagement opportunities to promising Fund Managers, accelerating their efforts to raise capital for their funds.
- Accelerate Growth. Through our 8-week Obuntu Launchpad Fellowship led by industry experts, we accelerate the growth of first-time Fund Managers; by diving into contextual case studies on topics ranging from thesis formation, fund structuring, building a tech stack for their fund, and more. The larger focus is on enhancing first-time Fund Managers’ operational capabilities and expanding their networks.
- Support Knowledge Exchange. We will facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration among first-time Fund Managers, promoting best practices and fostering a culture of learning within the African VC community.
What beyond the Fellowship?
We will be offering a range of programs and initiatives to support Emerging Fund Managers, including:
- Launchpad Fellowship. Providing ideation to launch stage support to promising Fund Managers to help them establish and grow their investment funds.
- Mentorship Program. Pairing Fund Managers with seasoned industry experts who will provide guidance and support in navigating the challenges of the VC landscape.
- Networking Events. Organising conferences, seminars, and networking events to facilitate connection and collaboration among veteran/first-time Fund Managers, venture-focused legal/finance firms, and investors (including family offices, development finance institutions).
- Educational Resources. Developing and sharing educational resources, research reports, and case studies to equip Fund Managers with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed.
We invite Emerging Fund Managers in Africa to join the movement and take advantage of the resources and opportunities offered by the Foundation. You can visit our website to nominate a Fellow, or simply, for more information. We’re on LinkedIn as well, where we’ll be posting regular updates on what’s happening.
At Obuntu, we understand it takes a village; and are always excited to brainstorm and discuss creative ways to partner and collaborate. If that sounds like you, whether you’d like to support us with your time or donate to our 501c3 foundation, please reach out and say hey at hello@obuntu.vc
