365 Days in Venture Capital

Venture capital is rapidly gaining momentum in Africa, yet its complexities can be daunting for newcomers. This book offers an insider’s perspective, expertly guiding VC professionals, investors, startup founders, and policymakers through the intricacies of venture capital institutions on the continent.

The author takes readers on a compelling journey, exploring the historical roots of venture capital in Africa before delving into key aspects such as investment strategies used by VC funds across deal sourcing, due diligence, portfolio management, exit engineering, and impact investing. Through relatable African case studies, practical examples, and deep insights, this book transforms the complex world of venture capital into a clear and actionable guide tailored for the African market.

As investors see more potential in Africa, emerging managers are raising their first funds to invest in African technology companies. The book provides clarity on the intricacies of fund-raising, from crafting investment strategies and fund structuring to domiciliation. It also examines the various classes of limited partners investing in Africa and how they conduct due diligence on emerging managers, making the journey less arduous.

365 Days in Venture Capital acknowledges that there are contemporary issues yet to be fully addressed, such as local investor participation, the scarcity of exits on the continent, government involvement, and regional collaboration to enhance market access. The book explores these issues, providing insights that will shape the next decade.

Whether you’re looking to raise capital or invest in Africa’s tech ecosystem, this book will guide you through every step.

Key takeaways include:

Understand the history of venture capital in Africa and its development over time
End-to-end breakdown of how venture capital operates, including deal sourcing, due diligence, investment structuring, portfolio management, and exit engineering
Insights into impact investing strategies and gender-smart investing strategies tailored to Africa
How to break into venture capital and succeed in the industry
Strategies for emerging fund managers: from fundraising to portfolio building
Practical case studies that simplify fund domiciliation and limited partner due diligence
Explore contemporary issues in African VCs that are shaping the industry’s future