Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures

Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures (VKAV) is a pan-African venture capital firm based in Lagos, Nigeria, with offices in Nairobi. Established in 2021 as a joint venture between Verod Capital, an African growth capital private equity firm, and Kepple Africa Ventures, a Japanese venture capital firm, VKAV focuses on investing in scalable, tech-enabled, post-revenue startups addressing significant challenges on the continent. The firm closed its inaugural fund at $60 million in April 2024, aiming to bridge the funding gap for African startups, particularly those in Series A and B stages. VKAV invests between $1 million and $3 million per startup, with the ability to follow on, and has already deployed $17.5 million across 12 companies in sectors such as fintech, mobility, e-commerce, proptech, deep tech, insurtech, energy, and healthcare. Notable portfolio companies include Moove Africa, KOKO Networks, Shuttlers, Cloudline, Chari, and mTek-Services. The firm's investment strategy emphasizes companies building digital infrastructure, solving inefficiencies between businesses and consumers, and creating economic opportunities based on Africa's evolving demographics. VKAV's team comprises partners Ory Okolloh, Ryosuke Yamawaki, and Satoshi Shinada, who bring a blend of venture capital and private equity experience to support portfolio companies in scaling operations and navigating the African business environment.