How to apply to E3 Capital as an African founder

TL;DR

E3 Capital invests in Climate, Agritech, and AI-ML companies at Seed and Series A, writes cheques of $500K -- $3M, and takes applications through a direct online application.

Who E3 Capital is

E3 Capital is a Sub-Saharan Africa investor headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. Its stated focus is Climate, Agritech, and AI-ML. The thesis, in the fund's own words: Championing entrepreneurs pursuing bold solutions in climate technology to drive a Digitised, Decentralised and Decarbonised future across Africa.

On the ground, E3 Capital operates as a Seed and Series A investor with an Africa focus described as "Sub-Saharan Africa (East, West, and Southern Africa)". The fund's founder is Paras Patel, alongside Vova Dugin (Managing Partner) and Melvyn Lubega (Senior Partner).

What they invest in

Stages: Seed and Series A
Sectors: Climate, Agritech, and AI-ML
Cheque size: $500K -- $3M
Geography focus: Sub-Saharan Africa / Yes -- Sub-Saharan Africa (East, West, and Southern Africa)

How to apply

Apply directly at https://www.e3-cap.com/contact. That link is the fund's own application channel, listed in their Trampoline entry as of 2026-07-24. Fill out whatever the form asks for completely: skipped fields read as a rushed application, and a rushed application is an easy first-pass reject at any fund fielding more submissions than it can meaningfully review.

Portfolio pattern

E3 Capital's portfolio, as listed in their Trampoline fund page, includes:

D.light (Pan-African): Affordable solar-powered solutions for off-grid communities, Growth
Sun Culture (Pan-African): Solar-powered irrigation systems for farmers, Growth
BBOXX (Pan-African): Off-grid solar and clean cooking solutions, Growth
Nuru (DRC): Solar-hybrid metro-grids for reliable, affordable power, Growth
Mawingu Networks (East Africa): Last-mile internet connectivity for underserved areas, Growth

That spread gives you a sense of what a real check from E3 Capital has funded, not just what the thesis claims it funds.

Before you apply

Have these ready before you reach out:

Deck: Check your readiness first so you know where the gaps are
Metrics dashboard: Set up your metrics dashboard so you can show real traction, not slides
Cap table
A one-line description of what your company does

FAQ

Does E3 Capital invest in Climate?

Yes. Climate is listed among E3 Capital's stated sector focus areas.

What stage does E3 Capital typically write cheques at?

E3 Capital invests at Seed and Series A, with cheque sizes of $500K -- $3M.

Do you need a warm intro to apply to E3 Capital?

No. E3 Capital takes applications through a form on their website, so a warm intro is not required to apply, though it can still help your submission stand out.

Does E3 Capital invest outside Sub-Saharan Africa?

E3 Capital's Africa focus is described as "Sub-Saharan Africa (East, West, and Southern Africa)". Check the full fund profile for the exact geographic boundaries before you apply.

Is E3 Capital a remote or in-person fund?

E3 Capital's format is listed as Hybrid.