Introduction
XA Network, an investment group fostering innovation in Southeast Asia and Africa, has officially launched XA Africa. This expansion brings a proven model of supporting tech startups through capital, mentorship, and industry connections, now applied to Africa’s fast-growing entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Founders with Deep Tech and Investment Expertise
The XA Africa initiative is spearheaded by three industry veterans with deep knowledge of the continent. Nitin Gajria, former Managing Director of Google Sub-Saharan Africa, is one of the co-founders. He is joined by Jason Scott, a venture capitalist who also helped create Google’s Black Founders Fund, and Marek Dawidowicz, YouTube’s current Marketing Director and a native of South Africa. Together, the trio plans to connect African tech founders with global investors and industry experts to accelerate the growth of innovative ventures on the continent.
“XA Network’s expansion into Africa is a natural progression for us. We want to connect exceptional founders with experienced tech operators who can provide capital, mentorship, and the support they need to scale,” said Nitin Gajria, Co-Founder of XA Africa.
Supporting Tech Ventures Across Multiple Industries
XA Africa has already made notable investments across a variety of sectors, including mobility, agriculture, health, and construction. Some of the companies in its portfolio include BuuPass, a mobility startup from Kenya, Kaya, a South African startup, Crop2Cash from Nigeria, and Talamus Health in Ghana. These investments reflect the network’s commitment to driving growth in key sectors that can transform the African economy.
Testimonials from Portfolio Startups
The founders of BuuPass, Sonia Kabra and Wyclife Omondi, expressed their enthusiasm for having XA Network as an investor. “We are excited to have XA Network on board due to their strong network of experts who are not only open to listening but are eager to help. They introduced us to advisors from Expedia, and their understanding of emerging market dynamics makes them invaluable partners.”
Building Bridges Between Africa and Southeast Asia
XA Network’s presence in Africa is part of a broader vision to strengthen connections between Africa and Southeast Asia. With senior leaders from prominent global tech companies and a community of successful founders backing the network, portfolio companies benefit from a robust support system of experienced industry operators.
“We also see this as an opportunity to build a stronger bridge between the tech ecosystems of Africa and Southeast Asia,” added Nitin Gajria, reflecting the network’s long-term goal of fostering cross-regional collaboration.
