
UNCOVERED FUND
Description
Uncovered Fund is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm with a distinctive focus on early-stage startups across the African continent. Established with a mission to empower African entrepreneurs, the firm primarily targets companies operating in the Seed to Series A funding stages. Unlike many VCs with a broad global mandate, Uncovered Fund has carved out a niche by dedicating its resources and expertise to fostering innovation within Africa's burgeoning tech ecosystem, aiming to back solutions that address the continent's unique challenges and opportunities.
The firm's investment strategy centers on identifying promising ventures that demonstrate strong potential for growth and impact within various sectors across Africa. Since its inception, Uncovered Fund has built a diverse portfolio, having invested in 27 startups spanning 10 different countries across the continent, including key markets like Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, and Ghana. This geographically dispersed approach underscores their commitment to supporting a wide array of innovative solutions emerging from Africa's vibrant entrepreneurial landscape.
Uncovered Fund has successfully raised two funds, accumulating a total of $35 million in assets under management. Their first fund closed at $20 million, followed by a second fund which secured $15 million. The firm typically deploys capital through initial checks ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, positioning them as a crucial early-stage investor for African startups. This strategic investment size allows them to provide foundational capital to companies poised for significant scale, reinforcing their role in nurturing the next generation of African tech leaders.
Investor Profile
UNCOVERED FUND has backed more than 20 startups, with 1 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 3 rounds, about 15% of its total and boasts 2 exits across its portfolio.
Investment Focus Highlights
- Concentrates on Seed, Series A, Series Unknown rounds (top funding stages).
- Majority of deals are located in Kenya, Nigeria, United States.
- Strong thematic focus on Financial Services, FinTech, E-Commerce.
- Typical check size: $100K – $500K.
Stage Focus
- Seed (65%)
- Series A (15%)
- Series Unknown (10%)
- Series C (5%)
- Pre Seed (5%)
Country Focus
- Kenya (30%)
- Nigeria (25%)
- United States (20%)
- South Africa (10%)
- Canada (5%)
- Togo (5%)
- Egypt (5%)
Industry Focus
- Financial Services
- Fintech
- E-commerce
- Software
- Payments
- Information Technology
- Banking
- Transportation
- Internet
- Finance
Frequently Asked Questions
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