African technology founders building commercially scalable businesses with measurable social impact may be eligible to pitch Janngo Capital.

Janngo Capital is a pan-African venture capital firm that invests in technology and technology-enabled companies. Its strategy combines financial returns with impact objectives, including job creation, access to essential services, SME growth and greater economic opportunities for women and young people.

The funding is an equity investment, not a grant. Companies should expect an assessment process, investment committee review, term-sheet negotiation and due diligence before capital is provided.

What Is Janngo Capital?

Janngo was created to use technology and investment capital to address major economic and social challenges in Africa.

Its investment approach focuses on digital platforms and businesses that improve access to services, help African small and medium-sized enterprises grow and create sustainable employment.

Janngo Capital is female-founded, female-owned and female-led. The firm has become particularly recognised for incorporating gender equality into its investment strategy while still requiring startups to demonstrate strong commercial potential.

How Large Is Janngo Capital’s Fund?

Janngo Capital announced the final close of its second investment vehicle at $78 million, or approximately €73 million, in October 2024.

The fund exceeded its original fundraising target and was described by the firm as Africa’s largest gender-equal technology venture capital fund.

Janngo’s strategy is entirely focused on Africa and technology or technology-enabled companies.

How Much Does Janngo Capital Invest?

Janngo Capital’s official investment criteria state that it invests between €50,000 and €5 million in qualifying startups.

The firm can invest from early stage through growth, giving it flexibility to back young businesses and provide larger capital to companies that have demonstrated product-market fit.

The exact amount depends on the startup’s stage, financing requirements, traction, valuation and fit with the fund’s commercial and impact objectives.

Which Startups Are Eligible?

Janngo invests in African technology or technology-enabled startups that satisfy at least one of three broad objectives.

The company should:

1. Improve Africans’ access to essential goods or services such as healthcare, education or financial services;
2. Help African SMEs gain better access to markets or capital; or
3. Create sustainable employment at scale, particularly for women and young people.

The fund is sector-agnostic. Its investments have covered healthcare, logistics, financial services, retail, food and agriculture, mobility, recruitment and the creative industries.

Its portfolio has included Sabi, Expensya, Dabchy, Jobzyn and GoCab.

Is Janngo Capital Only for Female Founders?

No. A founder does not have to be a woman to apply for Janngo Capital funding.

However, gender equality is a major part of the investment thesis. The firm aims to invest 50% of its new fund in startups that are founded by women, co-founded by women or provide substantial benefits to women.

Janngo reports that 56% of its portfolio companies are women-led.

A male-led company may still qualify if it has a strong business model and measurable positive outcomes for women, young people, SMEs or access to essential services.

What Does Janngo Look for in a Startup?

Janngo applies what it describes as a double-bottom-line approach. The startup must have the potential to generate attractive financial returns while producing measurable economic or social value.

Founders should therefore present both commercial indicators and impact indicators.

Commercial evidence may include:

• Revenue growth;
• Customer retention;
• Gross margin;
• Transaction volume;
• Market size;
• Expansion potential;
• Competitive advantage.

Impact evidence may include:

• Jobs created;
• Percentage of female employees or customers;
• SMEs gaining market access;
• Customers receiving essential services;
• Income growth for workers or merchants;
• Benefits for underserved communities.

The company should also be able to demonstrate that technology is central to how the solution scales.

Janngo Capital’s Investment Process

Janngo’s published investment process begins with an assessment of the startup and its profile.

Suitable founders are then invited to pitch to the investment team. The firm conducts a final review of outstanding concerns before presenting the opportunity to its investment committee. If approved, the process moves to term-sheet negotiation and signature.

Founders should be ready to provide incorporation documents, financial statements, ownership records, customer data, technology information, employment data and evidence supporting their impact claims.

How to Apply for Janngo Capital Funding

Janngo provides an online startup-funding application through its official contact page.

Submit your startup to Janngo Capital

Founders can also review Janngo Capital’s official investment criteria before applying.

There is no published annual deadline. Applications may be submitted through the current deal-flow form, but investment decisions depend on the fund’s mandate, remaining capital and the startup’s readiness.