In a decisive move to diversify Africa’s venture capital landscape, Madica—the Africa-focused pre-seed investment program—has announced a combined $600,000 investment in three innovative startups. Each company will receive $200,000 and join an intensive 18-month acceleration program designed to bridge the gap for underrepresented founders and overlooked sectors.
The “Equity in Funding” Mission Launched in 2022, Madica’s core mission is to counter the “concentration risk” in African tech, where nearly 85% of funding flows to a handful of markets and well-networked entrepreneurs. By backing startups in Tanzania and Kenya alongside Nigeria, and focusing on sectors like legal infrastructure and health data, the program is actively expanding the continent’s digital footprint.
Meet the Portfolio Newcomers The three startups were selected for their ability to solve structural challenges using high-end technology:
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Biovana (Nigeria): Co-founded by Estelle Dogbo and Dr. Jumi Popoola, this health-tech startup is building a data harmonization platform. It aims to unlock African genomics and health datasets for global pharmaceutical research, ensuring African diversity is represented in drug development.
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Hakimu (Kenya): Co-founded by Rawan Dareer, Hakimu is building a pan-African legal search engine. By leveraging AI to aggregate and summarize case law, it aims to reduce the legal workload by 75% and democratize access to justice.
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Kilimo Fresh (Tanzania): Founded by Baraka Chijenga, this agritech firm tackles food waste (which affects 40% of Tanzanian produce). It connects smallholder farmers directly to urban markets through a tech-enabled supply chain and cold storage logistics.
More Than a Check: The 18-Month Runway Beyond the cash, the startups will benefit from a structured support system:
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Immersion Trips: Two fully funded trips to local and international tech hubs (including an upcoming gathering in Morocco for GITEX Africa).
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Executive Coaching: Hands-on mentorship to solve critical operational bottlenecks.
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The “Zero to Funded” Guide: Alongside the investment, Madica has released a 75-page fundraising manual to help first-time African founders navigate the complex world of venture capital.
The Bottom Line For Emmanuel Adegboye, Head of Madica, these investments are about building a portfolio that “reflects the full breadth of African entrepreneurship.” In a year where global capital has become more cautious, Madica is positioning itself as a consistent partner for the “scrappy” innovators building the continent’s essential infrastructure—from the courtroom to the clinic to the farm.
