The Baobab Network

The Baobab Network is a Nairobi-based accelerator and early-stage VC that has been backing African tech startups since 2016. Co-founded by Tom Fairburn and Toby Hanington, the firm has steadily scaled its cheque size over the years -- from $25K per company in 2019, to $50K by 2023, and now $100K per startup in exchange for 12.5% equity. Across 65+ portfolio companies in 16+ African countries, their startups have collectively raised $55 million+ in follow-on funding and created over 1,250 jobs.

The programme itself runs as a 12-week remote-first accelerator built around two phases: a two-week intensive consulting sprint focused on your product, business model, and immediate growth blockers, followed by three months of hands-on venture support covering product-market fit, traction, and fundraising readiness. The terms are founder-friendly in important ways -- no board seat, no fees, fast decisions, and lifetime access to Baobab's global network of mentors, investors, and corporate partners after the programme ends. The firm also operates a scout programme for founder referrals, and the post-programme relationship includes co-investment opportunities, venture debt introductions, and additional funding pathways.

What sets Baobab apart from other African accelerators is the combination of being genuinely sector-agnostic (they've backed everything from blockchain payments to carbon accounting to telemedicine) while maintaining a tight thesis around tech-first or tech-enabled business models with asset-light structures. They're not looking for hardware companies or capital-heavy logistics plays, but if you're building software that solves a real problem on the continent, your sector won't disqualify you.