Early-stage venture capital firm Launch Africa Ventures has introduced the Launch Africa Mezzanine Impact Fund, designed to provide growth capital to African and GCC-based technology companies. This new initiative aims to support businesses that uphold strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, driving sustainable growth across the continent.
Launch Africa Ventures has already made waves in the African tech ecosystem. Founded in July 2020 by Zachariah George and Janade du Plessis, with Margaret O’Connor as chairperson, the firm closed its first fund, Launch Africa Ventures Fund I, in March 2022, having raised $36.3 million from 238 investors across 40 countries. This fund resulted in 133 investments in promising technology-driven ventures.
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Building on the success of Fund I, the firm launched Fund II. Disrupt Africa reported in June that $4.3 million had already been invested in 16 startups across the continent. Fund II’s mission remains to scale top technology ventures into market leaders across Africa.
The newly announced Launch Africa Mezzanine Impact Fund aims to extend this support by providing mezzanine growth capital. This form of financing helps growing companies bridge the gap between debt and equity financing while maintaining founder ownership. The fund will target high-growth tech companies actively engaged in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), management buyouts (MBOs), and market expansion strategies.
A Focus on ESG Principles and High-Impact Ventures in Africa
At the core of the Mezzanine Impact Fund is the commitment to invest in technology businesses that prioritise strong ESG values. These companies will benefit from tailored financial solutions that address the unique challenges of scaling within Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. The goal is not only to grow these ventures but also to deliver measurable returns while improving the lives of Africans through innovative products and job creation.
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Mezzanine Impact Fund’s New Leadership Team for a New Chapter
Launch Africa Ventures has appointed Anthony Moore, executive chairman, to oversee the Mezzanine Impact Fund. Moore, formerly managing director and head of investment banking at Goldman Sachs International, will lead a newly formed debt solutions team. His focus will be assembling a portfolio of impactful, high-growth technology companies, with particular attention to businesses operating along the Africa-GCC corridor.
With this new fund, Launch Africa Ventures aims to provide a financial solution tailored to the needs of African entrepreneurs, helping them unlock growth opportunities and scale their businesses across multiple sectors. The firm’s broader mission is to build a generation of African innovators who retain control of their companies, ensuring that equity stays in the hands of the founders. The firm seeks to promote sustainable development, job creation, and long-term prosperity for the region through this strategy.
