Impact VC investing in startups that transform African markets
Novastar Ventures is an East and West Africa-focused impact VC investing in startups that create jobs, deliver affordable products and services, and drive economic inclusion. Manages $200M+ across two funds. Portfolio includes Apollo Agriculture, Pula, and Edukoya. Invests $1M–5M at seed and Series A. Strong in agriculture, health, education, and financial services.
Use when
You're building an impact-driven startup in agriculture, health, education, or financial services and want an investor who understands both returns and outcomes.
Skip when
You are raising under about US$1 million, or your company has no impact or climate dimension. Fund III is explicitly a people-and-planet vehicle, not a generalist fund.
Status (24 Sep 2026): deploying the Africa People and Planet Fund III, which reached final close at US$147 million in early 2026, below its US$200 million target. Cheques of roughly US$1 million to US$8 million from pre-Series A to Series B, with a typical lead cheque around US$1.5 million. About 75% of initial investments go into companies raising a seed or Series A round. Focus markets are Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa and Egypt, with a climate and impact mandate.
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