This is a fund that supports commercially viable start-ups which use mobile technology as an enabler at early growth to later stage. It is a venture capital fund that aims to support the successful development and growth of high potential mobile tech start-ups and scale-ups with a presence in Kenya through a combination of investment, business development support and technical assistance leveraging on Safaricom’s unique capabilities, assets and market positioning.

The Spark Fund was launched in 2014 and invested in six mobile technology start-ups between 2015 and 2017. It invested on average $175,000 per start-up. It is full invested and focused on portfolio management.

In 2020 Safaricom made an additional $5  million allocation to the Spark Fund, and the Fund is subsequently open to invest in additional start-ups. The Fund can now invest larger amounts, up to $500,000 per start-up, and on a case-by-case basis larger amounts, in convertible notes or equity investment

The start-ups will be identified and selected through a deal pipeline managed by the fund manager, a partner of Safaricom and upon completion of due diligence process be presented to the Investment Committee for funding consideration.

Grow a portfolio of strategically-aligned tech-enabled start-ups for deeper commercial partnership and/or acquisition by Safaricom whilst Transforming lives

• Kenyan Presence
• A core team with diverse skills
• A tested, refined, product/service
• Commercially viable business model
• Active user database
• Generating revenues
• Partnership with Safaricom signed or being discussed
• Raising equity or quasi equity

The Fund Manager is S&B Ventures, a Fund Manager based in Kenya, who will source deals, perform due diligence and recommend the investments.

Contact the fund manager through spark@africatechventures.co