Seedstars and Fondation Botnar launch $20 million investment mandate in Africa

Seedstars Capital in partnership with Fondation Botnar has announced the launch of a $20 million investment in the "Seedstars Youth Wellbeing Ventures mandate" to improve the well-being of young people in low- and middle-income countries across the African continent.

The partnership between Seedstars and Fondation Botnar has already begun making strides in Africa, with one of their first joint investments being Chargel, a Senegal-based logistics technology company. The venture, which uses technology to streamline operations in the fragmented logistics sector, has successfully raised $2.5 million in seed funding.

The new mandate will target pre-seed to Series A companies in sectors such as health services, environmental sustainability, local food security, water and sanitation, waste management, digital technologies, quality education, access to employment, financial services, safe transportation, and affordable housing.

Seedstars Youth Wellbeing Ventures will act as a catalyst for additional capital into the continent and is expected to co-invest alongside like-minded investors. Investments will be made across Africa, with a strong focus on companies active in, or expanding to Tanzania, Ghana, Senegal, Morocco, and Egypt.

Seedstars, founded in 2012 by Pierre-Alain, Michael and Adrien, is an alternative investment platform focused on supporting emerging fund managers as well as investing in technology companies in emerging and frontier markets. Fondation Botnar, on the other hand, is a Swiss philanthropic foundation dedicated to improving the health and well-being of young people living in urban areas worldwide.

The partnership between the two firms reflects their shared commitment to fostering positive impact through strategic investment.