BAF Membership

To maintain good standing, members of the syndicate pay an annual fee in addition to actively participate in the investment process and administration of the syndicate. Fundamentally, BAF is a fund of friends and membership is exclusively by invitation only. We want people in the network whom we trust to be bold yet decent, agile yet ethical as we support the next generation of African entrepreneurs

Join Now

Join us if you are keen to support mission-driven founders who are harnessing their talent and expertise to build sustainable businesses which address challenges on the African continent

 

Africa boasts of the world's highest entrepreneurship and female entrepreneurship rates. However, while entrepreneurial potential is high, the contribution to economic growth has been limited. The big question is: Why?

— 22% of Africa’s working age population are starting businesses

Entrepreneurs will make the AfCFTA work by forging new value chains and exploiting opportunities to scale up via increased trade in regional markets.

— The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) has launched

 
 

The COVID-19 crisis triggered shifts that open up prospects for enhancing resilience and economic growth. As African economies begin rebounding from the crisis, the continent stands at an inflexion point.

— African startups raised more than $4 billion in 2021

 

FAQs

  • BAF is run by people who have experience supporting and investing in African founders and startups for years.

    We are keen on expanding that community beyond ourselves and have strategically developed the infrastructure to do so.

  • Startups are referred through partners or syndicate members. The decision on which startup to invest in is made as a collective and ratified with a due diligence and investment committee process.

  • The annual fee covers all our legal, operational and administrative costs for every transaction. These services are retained, which is better than case-case transactions.

    This structure allows nearly 100% of your investment to go to the startup.

  • Ventures can apply to pitch to us through our website or via email. Ventures that are invited to pitch are then put through a voting process where syndicate members determine whether there is sufficient interest for due diligence.

    Where there is interest, the ventures are invited to partake in a due diligence process, the outcome of which is shared with the syndicate and a final decision on how much and how to invest is taken by the investment committee.

    Following investment, a portfolio contact is assigned to support the company to keep pace with their progress and provide them support.

  • Money is returned only if a liquidation event occurs. This may be in subsequent rounds of fundraising by the startup or if a partial or full acquisition happens. Please note that it may take up to 7 years for most ventures.

    We try to help startups reduce the risk of failure early in their journey, but these are real risks and should be considered when investing.