- Saviu Ventures has raised $13 million in the first closure of Saviu II, its second fund focused on Francophone Africa.
- The fund aims to support early-stage companies in Africa, especially Francophone regions, providing funding from seed to Series A stages.
- So far, Saviu Ventures has invested in startups like Anka, Julaya, Zanifu, Lapaire, and Paps, maintaining a portfolio of 12 companies.
- The successful close of Saviu II and the regulatory approval marks for a significant milestone for the firm.
- Co-founded by Benoit Delestre, Samuel Touboul, and Cynthia Mandjek in 2018, Saviu Ventures operates with a team of seven investors out of Abidjan, Dakar, and Paris.
Saviu Ventures has raised $13 million for its Saviu II, marking the first closure of its second fund focusing on startups across Francophone Africa. Backed by several private investors and family offices, the fund will be used to support the development and growth of promising startups in the region.
Initially founded by Benoit Delestre, Samuel Touboul, and Cynthia Mandjek in 2018, Saviu Ventures now operates a team of seven investors in Abidjan, Dakar, and Paris, positioning the firm to contribute to the Francophone African V.C. industry in its early stages.
Through its investment initiatives, Saviu Ventures has invested in a total of 12 companies, holding companies like Anka, Julaya, Zanifu, Lapaire, and Paps in its portfolio. In this process, the company has always maintained its focus on Francophone Africa as a key area for fostering innovative companies.
The firm successfully raised $13 million (or EUR12 million) for its second fund, Saviu II in the latest round. This fund aims to support early-stage companies in Africa, with a special emphasis on the Francophone regions, providing funding right from the seed stage to Series A rounds. The second fund has already made notable investments in regional startups such as Waspito (Cameroon), Rubyx (Senegal), and Workpay (Kenya).
The successful close of Saviu II and subsequent regulatory approval signifies a significant milestone in Saviu Ventures’ operations. With an established track record from the first fund, Saviu I, and a strong brand alignment with the Francophone Africa region, the company is set to support a new wave of tech entrepreneurs across the region.
Previously, Saviu Ventures has invested in sectors as diverse as fintech, e-health, edtech, climate-tech, and e-commerce. This approach demonstrates the company’s commitment to fostering innovation without limiting its investments to specific industries.
As it continues to grow, Saviu Ventures obtained a license from the Mauritius Financial Markets Authority (FSC) along with the initial closing. The license now establishes Saviu Ventures as one of the few regulated venture capital fund management companies operating in Francophone West Africa.
