Raba

Raba invests early in technology companies, with a focus on Africa and other markets that investors tend to overlook. It describes itself as a long-term partnership rather than a traditional fund manager, joining founders early, when it can have the most effect.

What Raba offers

• Early-stage investment — backing for founders building software and internet-first companies.
• Investment themes — a set of themes guiding its choices, with emphasis on companies that move capital and essential products, the rails other businesses build on.
• The Raba Review — a regular publication sharing its thinking on African fintech, payments, venture capital and related topics.
• Founder partnership — long-term working relationships with the teams it backs.

Who it works with

Founders of software and internet-first businesses, many of them in payments and financial services. The firm lists 48 founders and teams in its portfolio. Its backers include a US university endowment, venture capitalists, business-owning families and company founders, some from its own portfolio.

Key facts

• Focus: Africa and other under-followed markets
• Stage: early-stage technology companies
• Portfolio: 48 founders and teams