Funding
-
Philanthropic VC, fair equity, backs alternative protein startup Legendary Foods Africa.
German philanthropic VC firm fair equity has invested in Legendary Foods Africa, the Ghanaian startup producing alternative protein from palm weevil larvae. The firm announced the transaction on LinkedIn. The investment amount was disclosed. The announcement also named Obudu Capital and the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation as partners in the transaction. Obudu Capital lists Legendary…
-
FIDO bags $200,000 from UNCDF to scale digital finance for MSMEs.
The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) has committed a $200,000 grant to FIDO to expand digital financial services for women and youth-led micro, small and medium-sized enterprises across Ghana. The funding marks the second phase of a partnership under the Joint SDG Fund Programme on Leveraging Digital Ecosystems for Increased MSME Productivity. The programme…
-
SmithField Agribusiness secures $230,000 from GBHub Africa to expand cold storage network.
SmithField Agribusiness, a Ghanaian agrifood supply chain business, has secured $230,000 (GHS 2.53 million), in convertible debt financing from GBHub Africa to expand its cold chain infrastructure, grow its network of smallholder farmers, and strengthen its operations. Unlike a conventional convertible note, the investment includes a one year moratorium and a one year decision cliff.…
-
Akofresh secures $100,000 OPEC Fund Youth Entrepreneurship Award for tackling post-harvest losses.
AkoFresh, the Ghana-based agtech has been named the winner of the 2026 OPEC Fund Youth Entrepreneurship Award, for helping smallholder farmers reduce post-harvest losses. The OPEC Fund Development Forum celebrates young entrepreneurs whose innovations are delivering measurable development impact. Along with the recognition, AkoFresh receives $100,000 to support the growth of its work. Founded by…
-
How a new evergreen technical assistance funding model aims to fix the SME funding pipeline.
This article draws on an original piece by John Scicchitano of Pangea Africa and Rob Mills of Social Finance International. In 2023, Mariseth Farms, a Ghanaian agribusiness founded by Marian Ofori Twumasi, had reached a familiar ceiling. The business had grown steadily by working with smallholder farmers and aggregating produce for market, but further expansion…
-
Traditional VCs overlooks 70% of African businesses: Peter Wamburu on financing the missing middle.
In this edition of the Innovator Spotlight Series, we sit down with Peter Wamburu, Prinicipal at Vested World. Vested World is an early-stage investment firm redefining startup funding by prioritizing societal impact, commercial viability, and gender equity. In this interview, Wamburu shares insights on operating in the “missing middle” of investment, dismantling biases in due…
-
African VC ecosystem does not actually exist: Sewu-Steve Tawia on the brutal realities of funding African startups
Venture capital is often presented as a straightforward formula: raise funding, scale quickly, and build the next breakout company. The reality, according to Sewu-Steve Tawia one of Ghana’s most active angel investor and Partner at Jaza Rift and Asime Partners, is considerably messier. In a wide-ranging conversation on the Innovator Spotlight series, Tawia drew on…
-
Origen Private Debt Fund joins Prime Meridian Docks’ $137 million financing round.
Origen Private Debt Fund one of Ghana’s emerging private credit platforms has joined the consortium backing Prime Meridian Docks’ $137 million “Project Shiprite,” a landmark floating dry dock and ship repair facility under development at the Port of Takoradi in Ghana. Origen’s commitment GHS 23 million forms part of a broader blended financing package supporting…
-
Lyvv Cosmetics secures $1million to drive next phase of growth.
Lyvv Cosmetics, a Ghana-based startup developing clean beauty products for melanated skin, has raised $1 million in a blended finance round led by Barka Capital. The investment, which consists of $500,000 in equity and a $500,000 structured working capital loan, comes as the startup prepares for a major retail push into global giants like Sephora…
-
Phundit raises funding to help Africans navigate personal financial emergencies.
For years, the narrative of African fintech has been dominated by one word: Credit. From Nairobi to Lagos, rapid-approval loan apps have proliferated, promising to bridge the liquidity gap. But for many users, these apps have become a “debt trap” rather than a safety net. Phundit, the Ghanaian fintech startup, has just closed an undisclosed…