Finding the right investor in Kenya can feel like a big challenge, but the local funding scene is more active than you might think. There's a solid group of VCs looking for promising startups to back.
Some firms have been particularly busy, with Novastar Ventures funding nearly 60 companies and Enza Capital close behind with about 45 investments. Getting to know who these investors are and what they look for is a good first step.
Below is our list of the best 4 VC firms in Kenya.
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Buy It For $97 $297 →Novastar Ventures backs ambitious entrepreneurs from its hubs in Africa and Europe, building businesses designed to create widespread value. They invest from seed to late stage in sectors like fintech and healthcare, with a portfolio that includes companies like TradeDepot and Paygo.
| Headquarters | Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya |
| Year Founded | 2014 |
| Founders | Andrew Carruthers, Steve Beck |
| Total Funding | $200M |
| Average Check Size | $7M |
| Industries | Fintech, Supply Chain & Logistics, Healthcare, InsurTech, Education, SaaS |
| Investment Stage | Convertible Note, Early Stage, Late Stage, Seed |
| Nº of Investments | 58 (23 as Lead Investor) |
| Nº of Exits | 2 |
| Top Portfolio Startups | TradeDepot, Paygo, Komaza |
| Contact | info@novastarventures.com / (412) 241-2747 |
CrossBoundary finances commercial and industrial solar projects for businesses across Africa, helping them switch from expensive diesel to cleaner, more reliable power. Their CrossBoundary Energy fund provides the capital for medium-scale renewable generation, delivering energy-as-a-service to unlock sustainable growth in underserved markets.
| Headquarters | Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya |
| Year Founded | 2011 |
| Founders | Jake Cusack, Matt Tilleard |
| Investment Stage | — |
| Nº of Investments | 3 |
| Nº of Exits | — |
| Contact | contact@crossboundary.com |
Enza Capital partners with technology companies across Africa building the future of fintech, logistics, health, human capital, and climate-smart industries. They provide multi-stage funding and support to help these category-defining startups grow from seed to late stage.
| Headquarters | Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya |
| Year Founded | 2019 |
| Founders | David Cohen, John Lazar, Mike Mompi |
| Investment Stage | Early Stage, Late Stage, Seed |
| Nº of Investments | 45 (8 as Lead Investor) |
| Nº of Exits | — |
KawiSafi Ventures, whose name means "clean energy" in Swahili, invests in companies providing affordable energy solutions to off-grid populations in East Africa. They have backed prominent startups like M-KOPA and d.light to help build a clean energy future for the region.
| Headquarters | Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya |
| Year Founded | 2016 |
| Founders | — |
| Investment Stage | Convertible Note, Late Stage, Private Equity |
| Nº of Investments | 16 (8 as Lead Investor) |
| Nº of Exits | 1 |