FIVE35 Ventures

FIVE35 Ventures is a venture capital fund for early-stage technology startups in Africa that serve or are led by women. It says the gap in funding for female founders is both unfair and wasteful. The fund is linked to the WomHub community of female founders on the continent.

Products and services

• Seed-stage investment: mainly through SAFE notes or convertible notes.
• Fast, founder-friendly process: designed so founders can spend time on the business instead of fundraising.
• Co-investment: it invests alongside funds, accelerators, angel groups and wealthy individuals in Africa.
• Ecosystem access: through WomHub, founders can reach labs, incubators, accelerators, advisory services and corporate distribution channels.
• Investor club: the 35'er Club brings together mostly women investors who back these startups.

Clients

It backs startups that meet one or more tests: female founders or co-founders, women in senior management, a mostly female workforce, or a business model aimed at mainly female customers. It expects portfolio companies to be ready for another round within 6 to 18 months.

Key facts

• Region: Africa
• Portfolio: 16 companies
• Stage: seed