2. Investor, conservationist, philanthropic advisor, and social
entrepreneur. For over a decade she’s worked with leading institutions
targeted at large scale growth and development on the continent. Nela
has been able leverage her network of UHNWI, HNIs and innovators to
collaborate and solve Africa’s complex, social and environmental
problems.
Partner at Ingressive Capital, an African-focused, early-stage Venture
Capital firm. Additionally,she serves on the board of Harambeans.
Nela Duke Ekpenyong
3. ● Venture Capital in Africa
○ The continent closed the first half of 2022 at $3.5 billion, a 133% increase from the first half
of the previous year
■ Over $5billion raised
■ $11.0 million average deal size
■ 27% of the investee companies were start-ups with a female founder or multiple
founders, including at least one female
● Governments
○ Startup acts (Kenya, Central Africa, Egypt, Nigeria)
● Geographies
○ West Africa
■ US$285mn -Nigeria
○ East Africa
■ US$330mn -Kenya
○ Northern Africa
■ US$352mn -Egypt
○ Southern Africa
■ US$131mn -South Africa
Funding Landscape in Africa
4. Venture Capital: Provides capital to start-
ups, early-stage, and emerging companies
that show high growth potential. The
difference is that they generally provide
financing that often has higher rates of
return instead of taking a share of the
company. However, some may take an
ownership share of the company.
Loans:A loan is a form of debt incurred by an
individual or other entity. They usually come with
fewer strings attached,shorter payment periods,
and in some cases,medium to low-interest rates.
Angel Investments:Angel investors provide capital
for a business start-up in exchange for convertible
debt or ownership equity. Many of the biggest tech
companies today, like Google and Yahoo, were
funded by “angels.”
Funding Options
Other funding options:Bootstrapping,
crowdfunding,product pre-sales,strategic
partners,Incubators,debt, grants
5. Founder(s)
● Founders
○ Strong leadership (talent)
○ Founder’s relationship
○ Advisors
● Experience
● Connection to challenge /
opportunity
● TRUST
Venture
● Strong business plan
● Product-market fit
● Market size
● Viability
○ Solution
○ Customers
○ Competition
● Traction
● Exit strategy
What do investors look for?
6. ● MAX.NG
○ Leading technology-enabled company driven by a vision to solve the mobility challenges in
Africa.
● Founders
○ Adetayo Bamiduro
○ Chinedu Azodoh
● Incubators
○ Techstars Program (NYC Fall 2015 Class)
○ Legatum Centre Fellow
○ Harambean
● Education
○ MIT
○ University of Ibadan
● Investors
○ Yamaha
○ Global Ventures
○ Breakthrough Energy Ventures
Case Study - MAX.NG