Loading organizations...
Savannah Fund is a seed capital fund dedicated to investing in early-stage, high-growth technology startups across Africa. It specializes in providing crucial capital for web and mobile businesses, aiming to bridge the significant funding gap that often exists between initial angel investments and larger venture capital rounds within the continent's developing tech ecosystems.
The fund was co-founded in 2012 by Mbwana Alliy and Paul Bragiel. Alliy, drawing on his experience as an Entrepreneur in Residence, recognized the urgent need for structured early-stage funding and hands-on support for nascent technology ventures in Africa. This keen insight, combined with Bragiel's entrepreneurial background, led to the creation of Savannah Fund with a mission to cultivate and scale African innovation.
Savannah Fund primarily supports ambitious founders who are building scalable technology businesses designed to address local challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities. The fund's overarching vision is to continuously partner with these entrepreneurs, fostering the expansion of dynamic African tech ecosystems and enabling startups to successfully scale their operations throughout the continent, thereby contributing to long-term economic development.
Key people at Savannah Fund.
Savannah Fund was founded in 2012 by Mbwana Alliy (Managing Partner & Founder).
Savannah Fund was founded in 2012 by Mbwana Alliy (Managing Partner & Founder).
Key people at Savannah Fund.
Savannah Fund has 4 tracked investments across 4 companies. The latest tracked deal is $3.3M Seed in Kubik in June 2023.
Savannah Fund is a seed-stage venture capital firm specializing in early-stage technology startups across sub-Saharan Africa, investing between US$25,000 and US$1,000,000 in high-growth web and mobile companies.[1][3][4][6] Its mission is to bridge the early-stage investment gap by providing capital alongside mentorship, accelerator programs, and networks from Silicon Valley and regional experts, helping startups scale regionally and globally.[1][3] The investment philosophy emphasizes hands-on support from experienced entrepreneurs to avoid common pitfalls, with a track record of over 30 investments since 2012 across countries like Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and South Africa—portfolio companies have raised over $200M in follow-on funding and created over 1,000 jobs.[3] Key sectors include technology (web/mobile), with a focus on high-growth potential in Africa's startup ecosystem, significantly impacting it by fostering job creation and scaling ventures in underserved markets.[1][3][4]
(Note: Search results also reference a separate real estate firm "Savanna Fund," but context confirms Savannah Fund as the Africa-focused VC entity.[2])
Founded in 2012 and based in Mauritius with a strong presence in Kenya, Savannah Fund emerged to address the lack of early-stage/angel funding in sub-Saharan Africa, starting with a focus on East Africa before expanding continent-wide.[1][3][4][5] Key partners include Managing Partner Mbwana Alliy, General Partner Paul Bragiel, and Venture Partner Tommy Chia, who bring experience in founding companies, angel investing, and running accelerator programs, combined with deep understanding of the African market.[1][5] The firm's evolution reflects a shift from initial accelerator-style support to a broader seed fund model, backed by local, regional, and international angel and VC networks, enabling startups to grow into regional or global players.[1][3]
Savannah Fund rides the wave of Africa's booming tech startup ecosystem, fueled by rising mobile penetration, urbanization, and digital innovation in sub-Saharan markets where traditional VC has been scarce.[1][4] Its timing aligns with post-2012 growth in African tech hubs like Nairobi and Lagos, capitalizing on market forces such as increasing smartphone adoption and foreign investor interest in high-growth regions.[3] By filling the seed funding void, it influences the ecosystem through job creation, follow-on funding attraction, and mentorship that builds scalable companies, effectively nurturing Africa's transition from nascent to mature tech landscape.[1][3][4]
Savannah Fund is poised to deepen its impact as Africa's tech scene matures, potentially expanding investments amid rising VC inflows and sectors like fintech, agritech, and e-commerce.[3][5] Trends like AI integration, pan-African trade via AfCFTA, and climate tech will shape its portfolio, with the firm's networks enabling cross-border scaling. Its influence may evolve toward larger growth-stage plays or specialized funds, solidifying its role as a cornerstone for high-growth African startups—bridging early risks to global potential, much like its founding mission to unlock the continent's tech promise.[1][3]
