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Welcome to another edition of 🔍 Startup Researcher - Africa, your essential digest delivering the latest news and premium insights on startups and venture capital across the region 🌍

If you haven't subscribed yet, now's the perfect time. Don't miss the opportunity to supercharge your understanding and stay ahead in this dynamic world.

Let's delve into the core sections of our weekly newsletter:

• 📰 Important News

• 💸 Top Funding Rounds

• 💰️ Notable Exits

• 🏦 About Investors

• 📋️ Curated Lists

• 📈 Deep Dive Bites

• 🎙️ Expert Insights

• 🤝 Diversity Spotlight

• 🚀 Startup Of the Week

• 💼 Investor of the Week

• 🤑 Opportunity Radar

📰 Important News

• Egypt launched “Invest IT” to support tech startups aiming to transform the country into a regional and global tech hub as part of Vision 2030.

• Moniepoint has hired ex-Stanbic IBTC CFO Bayo Olujobi as its microfinance bank CFO, signaling potential plans to expand into commercial banking.

• Kobo360 CEO Cikü Mugambi resigned after one year in office amid ongoing expansion and funding challenges.

• GAYO won the 2024 Earthshot Prize with £1 million for its clean air and waste management initiatives in Africa.

• The Bank of Ghana has suspended TapTap Send for violating remittance laws by operating a "cedi remittance wallet" without the required license.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• Nigeria’s Beacon Power Services secured Series A funding led by Partech to enhance its AI-driven energy tech solutions for utilities.

• Visa has made strategic investments in four African fintech startups - Oze, Workpay, OkHi, and ORDA - as part of its accelerator program.

• Liquify, a Techstars-backed fintech platform, has secured funding from Emerald Africa to provide trade finance for African SME exporters.

• Kenyan startup Tukio secured angel funding to expand its online safari-booking platform, offering 18 destinations in Kenya and Tanzania.

• Teradix, an Egypt-based eProcurement provider, has secured a $140,000 grant from the TAQADAM Accelerator to support its expansion into KSA.

🏦 About Investors

• Startupbootcamp, Mara Group, and Blend Financial Services have launched a $250 million fund to invest in African tech startups.

• Egypt Ventures launched its Corporate Partnership Initiative to connect startups with corporations, starting with a collaboration with Cleopatra Hospitals Group.

📋️ Curated Lists

Explore how Morocco's dynamic startup ecosystem is driving innovation and growth in Africa. Key startups like YoLa Fresh, UserGuest, and Logidoo are attracting significant investments, shaping sectors such as agritech, fintech, and logistics. With funding rounds in 2024 fueling their expansion, these ventures are tackling food security, optimizing hotel bookings, and improving cross-border logistics. Dive into the full article to discover the top funding rounds propelling Morocco’s entrepreneurial scene in 2024 and positioning it as a key player in Africa’s startup landscape.

🚀 Startup Of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

Beacon Power Services

Beacon Power Services, a Nigerian energy tech company founded in 2010, has raised Series A funding led by Partech. The company focuses on improving grid management and energy efficiency across Africa’s power sector with AI-driven solutions like CAIMS, a data management platform, and ADORA, a real-time grid monitoring system. This funding will enhance their offerings and support their expansion into Eastern and Southern Africa, helping utilities make smarter decisions and improve power distribution efficiency.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

Startupbootcamp

Startupbootcamp, a global network of industry-focused accelerators, has teamed up with Mara Group and Blend Financial Services to launch a $250 million fund targeting African tech startups. The fund will focus on funding rounds and pre-IPO stages, with a specific emphasis on startup hubs in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ivory Coast, and Egypt. Startupbootcamp, known for connecting visionary founders with global corporations, mentors, and impact investors, brings a wealth of experience and a €5.6 billion portfolio to the initiative. The organization operates accelerator programs worldwide, focusing on sectors like FinTech, InsurTech, FoodTech, PropTech, and Energy. This collaboration aims to support Africa's rapidly growing tech ecosystem, driven by a young, digitally-savvy population.

🤑 Opportunity Radar

Techstars Anywhere Accelerator

Apply to the Techstars Anywhere Accelerator by Nov 20th, 2024, to elevate your startup from anywhere in the world. This innovative remote-first program, designed for companies across various industries, offers access to top-tier mentorship, funding of up to $120,000, and a worldwide network of investors. With three in-person meetups throughout the Americas, you'll gain valuable insights and connections to help you succeed. The accelerator kicks off on Mar 10th, 2025, and culminates in a Demo Day on Jun 5th, 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to join a dynamic community of entrepreneurs and accelerate your business journey.