Robert F. Smith’s Vista Equity Partners has raised over $20 billion for its latest fund, making it the largest in its history. This new fund, known as the eighth flagship fund, passes the previous record of $17 billion raised in 2019. Embracing AI for Strategic Growth Vista Equity Partners, known for its investments in technology companies, is focusing on AI with its new fund. “You will also hear more about how we have adopted generative artificial intelligence not just as a tool but as a pivotal component of our value creation
TLcom Capital, a venture capital firm that partners with African entrepreneurs, has successfully closed its second fund, TIDE Africa Fund II, reaching $154 million. TLcom Capital From fintech to healthcare, TLcom has remained focused on seed to Series A investments, supporting transformative businesses like Andela and FairMoney through multiple funding rounds. With a majority-female leadership team, the firm not only champions gender balance but also backs initiatives like FirstCheck Africa to support women-led startups. TLcom’s approach involves partnering with entrepreneurs from the outset, aiming to build ventures that can deliver substantial returns. TIDE Africa Fund
American Student Assistance® (ASA), a nonprofit dedicated to transforming how students explore careers and prepare for the future, has announced a significant investment of $25 million. The nonprofit targets funds and companies with diverse founders and early-stage firms focusing on career education, postsecondary pathways, and workforce development. The move aims to expand access to essential skills and resources, helping middle and high school students navigate their career paths and achieve long-term success. A $25M Investment ASA’s investment strategy began in April 2022, and since then, it has directed over $40
Tangent, a technology platform founded by former LinkedIn employee Gary Izunwa and Joe Adams, has secured $1.1 million in funding and officially launched out of beta. Tangent, an employee referral platform aims to make referrals accessible to everyone by increasing tech career opportunities for those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. A Vision For Inclusive Tech Tangent’s approach centers on starting with tech sales roles, engaging companies like Revolut, Stripe, and Amazon to support the transition of talent from diverse backgrounds into the tech ecosystem. This strategy aligns with the broader vision of Tangent—to democratize access to tech careers and create
Toku, a fintech startup that specializes in recurring payment solutions, has raised $9.3 million in its latest funding round. The funding round was led by Gradient Ventures and supported by existing investors including F-Prime Capital, Clocktower, Y Combinator, Wollef, and Funders Club. This latest investment has now pushed Toku’s total funding to nearly $20 million. Revolutionizing Payment Collections In Latin America Founded in 2020, Toku has become a leading player in the fintech sector by automating the entire payment processing lifecycle. Its platform offers varied payment options, handles customer outreach, and optimizes collection strategies using real-time data. This approach enhances the
The Folklore, a platform known for connecting global consumers with African brands and diasporic fashion, has secured a substantial $3.4 million seed funding. This round was spearheaded by Benchstrength Ventures, with contributions from Techstars, Black Tech Nation Ventures, and Slauson and Co. Connecting brands with Major Retailers In 2022, Folklore underwent a transformation. Originally a shopping platform showcasing primarly African brands, it now aims to enhance how emerging brands integrate into the retail landscape. “[Brands] would come to me for advice on how to expand their footprint, how to get a loan or how
SunCulture, a Kenya-based company focused on climate technology, recently raised $12 million to expand its solar-powered irrigation systems across sub-Saharan Africa. The funding is part of a larger $27.5 million Series B round. Revolutionizing Agriculture with Solar Power In many countries around the world, climate change and erratic weather have made it increasingly dificult for farmers to maintain consistent crop yields. SunCulture’s solar-powered irrigation systems aim to help farmers efficiently use water and boost their crop yields, even with unpredictable rainfall. These systems are sustainable and cost-effective alternatives to traditional,
Canadian pre-seed venture fund Panache Ventures has teamed up with Africa-focused fintech firm Kora to address funding challenges that African tech entrepreneurs face. Payments infrastructure for Africa Established in 2017, Kora is a payment gateway facilitating local and international transactions across several African markets, including Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya. Kora opened a UK office in 2022 through a collaboration with the West Midlands Growth Company, an initiative designed to drive regional investment and stimulate economic growth in the UK. The platform is particularly known for its multi-currency transactions and recently
Richualist founder Dawn Myers has secured investment from business figures Mark Cuban and Emma Grede on Shark Tank for her hair tool for textured hair. The washday styling tool Myers’ product, The Mint, is designed to detangle, condition, and style curly to coily hair types (classified as 3A to 4C). The hair tool includes six attachments and is designed to simplify and enhance styling. The technology used heats liquid hair products to optimize their effectiveness, addressing the often complicated and time-consuming nature of managing highly textured hair. “You simply load your pod; think
Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures (VKAV) has announced the closure of its first fund at $60 million. A Pan-African Vision with Global Backing VKAV is a collaborative effort between West African private equity firm Verod Capital Management and Tokyo-based venture capital firm Kepple Africa Ventures. Notably, the fund includes backing from Japanese powerhouses such as SBI Holdings, Toyota Tsusho Corporation, and Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank. Nigeria’s SCM Capital and other institutional investors from Japan, including Taiyo Holdings also contributed. VKAV’s investment strategy focuses on digital infrastructure builders, efficiency solvers, and market creators.
