“Building digital infrastructure for the next 3 billion users through fintech rails and cleantech across the Global South.”
Lateral Frontiers is a New York-headquartered venture capital firm founded in 2018 that backs African and Global South founders building digital infrastructure and cleantech solutions. Led by Managing Partners Rob Eloff and Steven Grin alongside Partner Samakab Hashi, the firm has made 23+ investments across regions with 4 successful exits since inception.
The investment thesis centres on two verticals: "digital rails" (fintech infrastructure, enterprise SaaS, and the software backbone that enables commerce and financial services for SMEs) and "energy access alternatives" (cleantech and decarbonisation infrastructure). Fund II raised $28 million with a $100 million target, and the portfolio includes some of Africa's most recognised tech companies: Carry1st (gaming and digital content), SeamlessHR (enterprise HR platform), Mono (financial data API), Autocheck Africa (automotive marketplace), Lipa Later (BNPL), Ejara (digital assets), and AppZone Group (banking infrastructure). The firm positions itself as a "global south bridge," connecting African founders to global capital markets while providing unusually hands-on operational support.
| Name | Role | X/Twitter | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rob Eloff | Managing Partner | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Steven Grin | Managing Partner | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Samakab Hashi | Partner | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |