Finding the right investor in Nairobi can feel like a challenge, but the city has a solid group of active VCs. Some firms, like Novastar Ventures, have backed nearly 60 companies, while others such as Enza Capital are not far behind with over 40 investments.
They cover a range of industries, from fintech and healthcare to renewable energy. To help you get started, we've focused on the firms we think are most important for founders to know.
Below is our list of the best 4 VC firms in Nairobi.
Failory's Top 4 Picks
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Buy It For $97 $297 →Working from entrepreneurial hubs in Africa, Novastar Ventures backs ambitious founders building breakthrough businesses for the mass market. They focus on transforming foundational sectors like finance and healthcare to create enduring change and value for the many, not the few.
| 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.
| Year Founded | 2011 |
| Founders | Jake Cusack, Matt Tilleard |
| Investment Stage | — |
| Nº of Investments | 3 |
| Nº of Exits | — |
| Contact | contact@crossboundary.com |
Enza Capital provides multi-stage funding to technology companies building for Africa, supporting founders from pre-seed to Series B. The fund partners with startups in sectors like fintech, logistics, and health, offering capital, operational support, and global network access.
| 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 funds companies providing clean and affordable energy products to households and businesses across East Africa. They have backed prominent off-grid energy startups, including d.light and Bboxx, to help bring power to millions of people and reduce carbon emissions.
| Year Founded | 2016 |
| Founders | — |
| Investment Stage | Convertible Note, Late Stage, Private Equity |
| Nº of Investments | 16 (8 as Lead Investor) |
| Nº of Exits | 1 |