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Savannah Fund Seed Investment

Savannah Fund · VC / Investment Fund
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KenyaTechnologyFintechE-commerceHealthtech

About this opportunity

Savannah Fund invests $25,000–$500,000 in early-stage tech startups across Sub-Saharan Africa, mainly Kenya, offering capital plus mentorship and investor connections. You need a working product, at least two co-founders, and early traction.

Savannah Fund is a Nairobi-based seed-stage VC fund investing in high-growth technology startups across Sub-Saharan Africa, with a strong focus on Kenya. Typical ticket sizes range from USD 25,000 to USD 500,000 at pre-seed and seed stages. Portfolio companies receive capital, mentorship, and connections to global investors.

Who can apply

  • Technology-focused startups based in Sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya strongly preferred)
  • Businesses at pre-seed or seed stage with a working product or clear MVP
  • Teams with at least two co-founders
  • Startups showing early traction or a scalable business model
  • Companies in fintech, e-commerce, healthtech, or adjacent tech sectors

Not eligible

  • Sole founders without a co-founder
  • Startups with only an idea, no working product or MVP

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Documents you will need

  • Pitch deck (typically 10–15 slides covering problem, solution, market, team, traction, and financial projections)
  • Executive summary or business plan
  • Evidence of early traction (user numbers, revenue, partnerships, or pilot results)
  • Team information including founder backgrounds and relevant experience
  • Financial statements or projections if revenue-generating
  • Product demo or link to working product

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How to apply, step by step

  1. Visit the Savannah Fund website to locate the current application portal or contact email
  2. Prepare your pitch deck, executive summary, and evidence of traction
  3. Complete the online application form with company details, team information, and funding requirement
  4. Attach required documents and submit via the designated portal
  5. Monitor your email for acknowledgement and next steps; this is typically a rolling process so review may begin shortly after submission
Save and track it and we will email you 14 days, 7 days, 3 days, 24 hours and on the morning of the deadline.

How applications are selected

Savannah Fund reviews applications on a rolling basis (no fixed deadline stated). The fund assesses team strength, product viability, market opportunity, and traction. Strong applications typically move to a meeting or pitch stage where founders present to the investment committee. If shortlisted, expect due diligence including deeper financial and operational review before a term sheet is offered.

What reviewers look for

  • Show early traction concretely: monthly active users, paying customers, revenue, partnerships, or pilot validation—not projection alone
  • Demonstrate co-founder commitment and complementary skills; single founders are not considered
  • Emphasise scalability and the path to continental or global markets, not just local revenue
  • Have a working product or functional MVP ready to demo; concept-stage pitches are typically rejected
  • Clarify how your business addresses a real problem in fintech, e-commerce, healthtech or core tech infrastructure in Africa

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be based in Kenya or can I apply from elsewhere in Africa?

Savannah Fund invests across Sub-Saharan Africa but has a strong preference for Kenya-based teams. Other African startups can apply but should expect more scrutiny.

What does 'clear MVP' mean? Do I need revenue?

An MVP is a working version of your core product that users can interact with—not a prototype or wireframe. Revenue is not required but some form of user validation (downloads, signups, pilot partners) strengthens your application.

Is there a deadline to apply?

No fixed deadline is published. Savannah Fund operates on a rolling basis, so you can submit whenever ready. Earlier applications may have better chances as funds are deployed over time.

What happens if I am rejected?

Typically, you will receive feedback on weaknesses in your application. Some founders reapply after strengthening their product, traction, or team.

Can I apply if my co-founder is outside Africa?

The eligibility criteria state a team of at least two co-founders; the sources do not specify all founders must be Africa-based, though the fund's focus is on African startups.

Guide written from the official programme page on 15 October 2026. Funders change their rules, so confirm the details on the official page before you apply.

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