TLDR:
Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures (VKAV) is a venture capital firm with a $45 million war chest, led by Ory Okolloh, Ryosuke Yamawaki, and Satoshi Shinada. They transitioned from investing in seed-stage startups to focusing on growth-stage startups, with an average ticket size of $1-3 million. VKAV has invested in 11 growth-stage startups, bringing Japanese limited partners as co-investors and eventually setting up acquisition events for their portfolio companies. Their investment strategy focuses on scalable solutions addressing African challenges and untapped opportunities. VKAV also emphasizes founder vision, global perspectives, and personal chemistry in their investments. The firm provides hands-on support in governance, recruitment, ESG measures, and building a peer network within their portfolio companies.
Full Article Summary
Armed with a $45 million war chest, Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures (VKAV) moved from seed investments to Series A and B investments, partnering with Verod Capital and investing in 11 growth-stage startups. The firm focuses on scalable solutions for African challenges, providing hands-on support and building a peer network in their portfolio. VKAV emphasizes founder vision, global perspectives, and personal chemistry in their investments while looking for diverse exits such as secondaries, buyouts, and IPOs.
