Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
Seedstars Capital and Fondation Botnar have launched the Seedstars Youth Wellbeing Ventures mandate, which will see both invest $20 million in early-stage, purpose-driven companies aiming to improve the well-being of young people in low- and middle-income countries across the African continent.
Seedstars Capital is an alternative investment platform focused on supporting emerging fund managers as well as investing in technology companies in emerging and frontier markets. Fondation Botnar is a Swiss philanthropic foundation dedicated to improving the health and well-being of young people living in urban areas worldwide. The partnership reflects their shared commitment to fostering positive impact through strategic investment.
In a statement seen by Business Post, it was announced that the mandate would target pre-seed to Series A companies in sectors such as health services, environmental sustainability, local food security, water and sanitation, waste management, digital technologies, quality education, access to employment, financial services, safe transportation, and affordable housing.
Seedstars Youth Wellbeing Ventures will catalyse additional capital into the continent and is expected to co-invest alongside like-minded investors. Investments will be made across Africa, focusing on companies active in or expanding to Tanzania, Ghana, Senegal, Morocco, and Egypt.
According to Mr Benjamin Langer, Partner at Seedstars Capital, the partnership with Fondation Botnar will combine both firms’ strengths and resources to drive meaningful impact in emerging markets.
“Together and with the added strength of our co-investor network, we will identify, invest and scale innovative companies with the potential to transform the lives of young people across our key markets,” he said.
Mr Antoine Veyrassat, Venture Philanthropy Lead at Fondation Botnar, said, “Fondation Botnar is excited to join Seedstars in supporting companies that are making a difference. Our shared commitment to improving the health and well-being of young people aligns strongly with our investment strategy that takes a market-based approach to philanthropy in addition to our other philanthropic funding, especially as rapid urbanization and the increasing number of young people living in cities present both unique challenges and opportunities.”
The partnership between Seedstars and Fondation Botnar has already begun making strides in Africa, with one of their first joint investments being Chargel, a Senegal-based logistics technology company. The venture, which uses technology to streamline operations in the fragmented logistics sector, has successfully raised $2.5 million in seed funding. This move exemplifies the partners’ commitment to backing companies that contribute to youth well-being by improving the working conditions of young Senegalese truck drivers.
To further support the mandate and drive its mission, Ms Cyrine Ben Fadhel will join Seedstars as an Investment Manager. Bringing years of hands-on experience in venture capital, with past roles at Lateral Frontiers Capital and Global Ventures.
She will act as the main point of contact for the mandate, and her knowledge will be instrumental in identifying and scaling innovative companies across the African continent.
