In recent years, the African startup ecosystem has experienced unprecedented growth, attracting attention from some of North America's most influential investors and institutions. This article highlights the key players driving this wave of investment, from tech giants like Google and Mastercard to renowned accelerators such as Y Combinator and Techstars.

Google For Startups Black Founders Fund

• 🏦 HQ: California, United States

• 🔢 Number of Investments in Africa: 100-150

• 🎯 Target Stages: Pre-seed, Series A

• 👜 Notable African Portfolio companies: Zanifu, BuuPass, Afriblocks

Techstars

• 🏦 HQ: New York City, United States

• 🔢 Number of Investments in Africa: 100-150

• 👜 Notable African Portfolio companies: Dash, OnePipe, Fonbnk

Y Combinator

• 🏦 HQ: United States

• 🔢 Number of Investments in Africa: 100-150

• 👜 Notable African Portfolio companies: Yassir, LemFi (Lemonade Finance), Kobo360

500 Global

• 🏦 HQ: San Francisco, California, United States

• 🔢 Number of Investments in Africa: 50-100

• 💰️ AUM: $2.4 Billion

• 👜 Notable African Portfolio companies: Chipper Cash, Grinta, Cadana

4DX Ventures

• 🏦 HQ: Brooklyn, New York, United States

• 🔢 Number of Investments in Africa: 10-50

• 👜 Notable African Portfolio companies: Wasoko (Sokowatch), Yoco, Trella

Musha Ventures

• 🏦 HQ: New York, United States

• 🔢 Number of Investments in Africa: 50-100

• 👜 Notable African Portfolio companies: Omnibiz, Hohm Energy, Shara

Plug and Play

• 🏦 HQ: Sunnyvale, United States

• 🔢 Number of Investments in Africa: 10-50

• 👜 Notable African Portfolio companies: Chari, Bosta, Pastel

USAID

• 🏦 HQ: Pennsylvania, Washington, United States

• 🔢 Number of Investments in Africa: 10-50

• 👜 Notable African Portfolio companies: Decentral Energy, Maisha Meds, Yolele

DFS Lab

• 🏦 HQ: Campus Parkway, Seattle, United States

• 🔢 Number of Investments in Africa: 10-50

• 👜 Notable African Portfolio companies: Nala, Pastel, Bumpa

Endeavor

• 🏦 HQ: Liberty St, New York, United States

• 🔢 Number of Investments in Africa: 10-50

• 💰️ AUM: $500m+

• 👜 Notable African Portfolio companies: MNT-Halan, TradeDepot, MFS Africa

IFC

• 🏦 HQ: Pennsylvania, Washington, United States

• 🔢 Number of Investments in Africa: 10-50

• 👜 Notable African Portfolio companies: MNT-Halan, M-Kopa, CashPlus

Mastercard

• 🏦 HQ: Purchase St, New York, United States

• 🔢 Number of Investments in Africa: 10-50

• 👜 Notable African Portfolio companies: Africa118, Boost Technology, Novek

Government of Canada

• 🏦 HQ: Canada

• 🔢 Number of Investments in Africa: 10-50

• 👜 Notable African Portfolio companies: Green Industry Plast, Chanja Datti, Chemolex

Magic Fund

• 🏦 HQ: Los Angeles, California, United States

• 🔢 Number of Investments in Africa: 10-50

• 👜 Notable African Portfolio companies: Vendease, Float Africa, Bumpa

RaliCap

• 🏦 HQ: San Francisco, California, United States

• 🔢 Number of Investments in Africa: 10-50

• 👜 Notable African Portfolio companies: Axis, Revio, Sudo

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC)

• 🏦 HQ: New York Avenue, Washington, DC, United States

• 🔢 Number of Investments in Africa: 10-50

• 👜 Notable African Portfolio companies: M-Kopa, Copia Global, Lumos

Lateral Capital

• 🏦 HQ: Sarasota, Florida, United States

• 🔢 Number of Investments in Africa: 10-50

• 👜 Notable African Portfolio companies: Confidential, Pngme, Mono

SOSV

• 🏦 HQ: Princeton, New Jersey, United States

• 🔢 Number of Investments in Africa: 10-50

• 👜 Notable African Portfolio companies: MarketForce, Lipa Later, RxAll

On Deck

• 🏦 HQ: San Francisco, California, United States

• 🔢 Number of Investments in Africa: 10-50

• 👜 Notable African Portfolio companies: Oneport 365, Allawee, Tanel Health

FINCA Ventures

• 🏦 HQ: Washington, DC, United States

• 🔢 Number of Investments in Africa: 10-50

• 👜 Notable African Portfolio companies: FloatPays, Kwara, East Africa Fruits Co

The influx of North American investment into Africa's startup ecosystem marks a significant shift in global venture capital trends. From Silicon Valley heavyweights to government agencies, these investors provide crucial funding and mentorship, networks, and expertise to African entrepreneurs. The partnerships forged between North American investors and African startups are laying the foundation for a more connected, prosperous, and technologically advanced Africa. As the ecosystem matures, observing how these relationships evolve and what new success stories emerge from this dynamic intersection of North American capital and African innovation will be fascinating.