Introduction
Leading African venture capital firm, Founders Factory Africa (FFA), has announced its rebrand to 54 Collective. This evolution aims to enhance support for transformative technology ventures across the continent through catalytic capital and comprehensive value-add support via its Venture Success Platform. The new name, 54 Collective, reflects the firm’s ambitious pan-African vision to assist entrepreneurs in serving all 54 African countries.
A Commitment to Transformative Impact
54 Collective builds on its exceptional track record of investing in and scaling early-stage ventures in Africa. As a commercial-first investor, the firm embeds impact in every aspect of its operations. It invests in ventures from idea to Pre-Series A stage, offering catalytic capital and value-add support through its Venture Success Platform. CEO Bongani Sithole remarked, “Our catalytic capital and value-add support to founders signify our evolution and ongoing mission to support entrepreneurs across Africa, enabling them to build without boundaries to drive commercial and impact returns.”
Investment Strategy and Support
54 Collective offers equity and non-dilutive capital up to a total of $500k, empowering founders to scale their ventures continent-wide. Female founders receive an additional $150k in non-dilutive capital to ensure a level playing field. The Venture Success Platform comprises a team of experienced venture specialists who provide tailored support in product development, growth strategies, commercial relationships, business strategy, talent acquisition, technology, and data. This platform also prepares founders for investor readiness, fundraising strategies, and access to debt and impact capital, facilitating global success through networking and community-building opportunities.
Sector-Agnostic and Comprehensive Support
The firm has evolved from focusing solely on Agtech, Fintech, and Healthtech to being sector-agnostic, supporting founders across various sectors in Africa. 54 Collective helps navigate complex challenges to achieve commercial success and create significant economic impact through job creation and economic growth. The firm’s comprehensive support and significant funding make it unique in Africa, providing early-stage founders with the highest amount of catalytic capital and support from the largest Africa-based venture capital team.
Achievements and Future Goals
In 2023, Founders Factory Africa was named one of the top venture capital investors in Africa, boasting an active portfolio of over 50 ventures across 10 countries. To date, the firm has supported more than 70 ventures, helping its portfolio startups raise nearly $140 million in follow-on capital. Looking ahead, 54 Collective aims to invest in 105 startups across Africa in the next five years, enabling entrepreneurs to tackle the continent’s biggest challenges and create sustainable impact.
Commitment to Gender Inclusion and Social Impact
54 Collective is targeting a portfolio where 50% or more of its startups are founded by women. Currently, 45% of the 17 investments made between January 2023 and July 2024 are women-led. The firm’s investments are also creating socioeconomic impact. For instance, Asaak, a vehicle asset financing company, has improved financial inclusion for over 11,000 bodaboda drivers, significantly enhancing their quality of life and income.
A Vision for the Future
Executive Chairman and UTOPIA CEO Roo Rogers emphasized the significance of the rebrand and future ambitions, stating, “54 Collective is a powerful economic and social force in the African economy. Anchored with strong roots on the continent and an exceptional network and reputation globally, we continue our mission to redistribute investment and knowledge pathways towards a more inclusive, relevant, and equitable future for the Global South.”
54 Collective envisions a future where African entrepreneurship drives generational progress and prosperity across the continent. The firm’s new name, catalytic capital, and value-add Venture Success Platform mark a new era for the venture capital ecosystem, redefining investing in Africa and empowering founders to build without boundaries and solve some of Africa’s biggest challenges.
