In 2022, Ory Okolloh, Ryosuke Yamawaki, and Satoshi Shinada established Verod-Kepple Ventures (VKAV) as a joint venture between Verod Capital Management and Kepple Africa.
Capitalization Amid Investment Downturn
Amidst the ongoing investment downturn in Africa, Verod-Kepple Ventures (VKAV) emerges as the latest African venture capital firm to receive significant capitalization.
Focus on Series A and B Companies
VKAV aims to support Series A and B companies in Africa with crucial capital, filling the gap in funding for growth-stage startups amidst a shortage of local investment options.
Addressing the Funding Gap
Ory Okolloh, a VKAV partner, highlights the scarcity of growth-stage capital and emphasizes VKAV’s focus on providing funding at the critical scaling-up phase for startups.
Hands-On Support and Collaboration
VKAV plans to provide hands-on support to portfolio companies, leveraging operational expertise and collaboration to guide startups through the scaling-up process.
Investment Focus and Portfolio
The VKAV fund targets companies building digital economy infrastructure, addressing business inefficiencies, and catering to emerging consumer needs. Its portfolio includes startups spanning various sectors such as mobility, finance, insurance, energy, and healthcare.
Investment Deployment
With $17.5 million already deployed, VKAV plans to invest between $1 million and $3 million in selected startups, with potential follow-on investments. The fund has backed 12 startups across Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Ivory Coast, and South Africa.
Exploring New Markets
VKAV aims to explore additional African markets, aligning with its pan-African mission, and seeking new investment opportunities in countries like Angola, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Tunisia.
Source: Techpoint