East Africa is rapidly emerging as a hotspot for startup innovation, attracting venture capital firms eager to support entrepreneurial growth in the region. While Kenya often takes the spotlight as a thriving hub for tech and investment, several other countries in East Africa are also experiencing a surge in VC activity. From Mauritius to Ethiopia and Rwanda, a diverse array of investors are backing promising startups in sectors ranging from fintech and logistics to energy and education. In this article, we explore some of the most active venture capital firms based in East Africa, excluding Kenya, and highlight their leadership, portfolio, and notable investments.

97 Fund by Ortus Africa Capital

• 🏦 HQ: Kampala, Uganda

• 👨‍💻👩‍💻 Leadership: Kenneth Legesi

• 🔢 Number of Investments: 1-10

• 👜 Notable Portfolio companies: Minute 5, ProInterns, Tripxio

Equitable Ventures

• 🏦 HQ: Calebasse, Mauritius

• 👨‍💻👩‍💻 Leadership: Fabrice Boullé

• 🔢 Number of Investments: 1-10

• 💰️ Number of Exits: 1-10

• 👜 Notable Portfolio companies: Happy Pay

Gullit VC

• 🏦 HQ: Cybercity, Ebene, Mauritius

• 👨‍💻👩‍💻 Leadership: Hiruy Amanuel

• 🔢 Number of Investments: 1-10

• 👜 Notable Portfolio companies: Logidoo, buupass, gebeya

Kazana Fund

• 🏦 HQ: Ethiopia

• 👨‍💻👩‍💻 Leadership: Hilina Risom, Addis Alemayehou

• 🔢 Number of Investments: 1-10

• 👜 Notable Portfolio companies: Kubik

Launch Africa

• 🏦 HQ: Cybercity, Ebene, Mauritius

• 👨‍💻👩‍💻 Leadership: Zachariah George, Janade Du Plessis

• 🔢 Number of Investments: 150-200

• 💰️ Number of Exits: 10-50

• 👜 Notable Portfolio companies: cARscan, Bypa-ss, Chekkit

Pontem Ventures

• 🏦 HQ: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

• 👨‍💻👩‍💻 Leadership: Kartik Kapoor, Nadeem Juma

• 🔢 Number of Investments: 1-10

• 💰️ Number of Exits: 1-10

• 👜 Notable Portfolio companies: Dawa Mkononi, TsunamiX, Ongair

Renew Capital

• 🏦 HQ: Addis ababa, Ethiopia

• 👨‍💻👩‍💻 Leadership: Laura Davis, Matthew Davis

• 🔢 Number of Investments: 10-50

• 💰️ Number of Exits: 1-10

• 👜 Notable Portfolio companies: Tappi, Bosso, Wazi

The Takeoff Fund

• 🏦 HQ: Hargeisa District, Somaliland

• 👨‍💻👩‍💻 Leadership: Jesse Clain

• 🔢 Number of Investments: 1-10

• 💰️ Number of Exits: 1-10

• 👜 Notable Portfolio companies: CAAFiSOM

Warioba Ventures

• 🏦 HQ: Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

• 👨‍💻👩‍💻 Leadership: Martin Warioba

• 🔢 Number of Investments: 1-10

• 👜 Notable Portfolio companies: Dawamkononi

Zagadat Capital

• 🏦 HQ: Kigali, Rwanda

• 👨‍💻👩‍💻 Leadership: Oluwatosin “ Mr Eazi ” Ajibade

• 🔢 Number of Investments: 10-20

• 💰️ Number of Exits: 1-10

• 👜 Notable Portfolio companies: EmPawa, Chowdeck, ERA

As East Africa continues to carve out its place on the global startup stage, these venture capital firms are playing a crucial role in driving innovation and economic growth. With a focus on various industries and a commitment to fostering local talent, these VCs are not only investing financial resources but also helping to shape a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem across the region. As we move forward, the impact of these investments will be essential in elevating East Africa's position as a competitive player in the global market. The potential for growth and transformation remains significant, promising exciting developments in the years to come.