
TLcom Capital Partners
Description
TLcom Capital Partners is a prominent Africa-focused venture capital firm, headquartered in London, with a strong operational presence across the African continent. The firm is dedicated to identifying and nurturing high-growth technology companies, backing Africa's top founders from Seed to growth stages. TLcom's investment philosophy centers on providing not just capital, but also strategic guidance and operational support to help its portfolio companies scale and achieve market leadership in their respective sectors.
The firm manages significant capital through its dedicated Africa-focused funds. Its flagship vehicle, the TIDE Africa Fund, successfully closed at $71 million, demonstrating strong investor confidence in the African tech ecosystem. Building on this success, TLcom launched the TIDE Africa Fund II, which achieved a first close of $31 million towards a target of $150 million. These funds are strategically deployed to support companies across various stages, from initial seed rounds to more substantial Series A and B investments, reflecting a long-term commitment to its portfolio.
TLcom Capital's investment strategy typically involves writing initial checks that range significantly depending on the fund and stage. For instance, initial investments from the TIDE Africa Fund generally ranged from $500,000 to $10 million. With the newer TIDE Africa Fund II, the firm aims to deploy larger initial checks, typically between $1 million and $15 million, enabling it to support more mature startups and provide substantial follow-on funding. The firm has built a robust portfolio of leading African tech companies spanning critical sectors such as fintech, logistics, edtech, and e-commerce, including notable investments in companies like Andela, Twiga Foods, and Autochek.
TLcom's deep understanding of the African market, combined with its global network and hands-on approach, positions it as a key player in fostering innovation and economic growth across the continent. The firm's commitment to building sustainable businesses and its ability to provide tailored support are critical factors in the success of its portfolio companies.
Investor Profile
TLcom Capital Partners has backed more than 57 startups, with 3 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 31 rounds, about 54% of its total and boasts 9 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Series A, Seed, Series Unknown rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in Nigeria, United States, Kenya.
- Strong thematic focus on Software, Mobile, Information Technology.
- Led 3 rounds in the past year.
- Typical check size: $500K – $15M.
Stage Focus
- Series A (25%)
- Seed (19%)
- Series Unknown (19%)
- Series B (19%)
- Series C (9%)
- Pre Seed (5%)
- Series D (4%)
Country Focus
- Nigeria (30%)
- United States (18%)
- Kenya (14%)
- Italy (9%)
- United Kingdom (9%)
- Ireland (7%)
- Israel (5%)
- South Africa (4%)
- Sweden (4%)
- Mauritius (2%)
Industry Focus
- Software
- Mobile
- Information Technology
- E-commerce
- Internet
- Retail
- Wireless
- Supply Chain Management
- Saas
- Big Data
Frequently Asked Questions
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