TLcom Capital's TAPSI fund writes cheques up to $200,000 for pre-seed African tech startups in fintech, edtech, agritech, SaaS, AI and health. You need a working MVP, early traction, and technology core to your model.
TAPSI (TIDE Africa Pre-Seed Investments) is TLcom Capital's dedicated $5 million pre-seed fund that writes cheques of up to $200,000 to the earliest-stage African tech startups. It acts as an upstream feeder vehicle for TLcom's core $154M TIDE Africa Fund II, allowing high-performing portfolio companies to progress to larger rounds. Backed startups also gain access to TLcom's global network, two decades of African venture experience, and partnership benefits from TLcom's collaboration with First Check Africa for female founders.
Not eligible
Not sure you qualify? Check in 60 seconds
Missing a business plan or CV? Write one for this funder · Build your CV
TLcom reviews applications on a rolling basis, so there is no single deadline; submissions arrive year-round. Shortlisted founders have an initial conversation with the investment team, typically lasting 30–45 minutes, to validate the business model and market. If that conversation is positive, you enter due diligence, which usually lasts 4–8 weeks and involves financial checks, reference calls, and term sheet negotiation. TLcom expects to close ten more pre-seed investments before end of 2026, having already deployed half the $5 million fund.
What reviewers look for
Pre-seed is the stage before a formal Series A. You typically have an MVP, initial customers or users, and a team. You do not yet have $500,000+ in revenue or institutional investors. If you are unsure whether you are ready, TLcom's website will have a self-assessment tool, or contact them directly.
TAPSI focuses on companies with active presence in major African hubs—Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, South Africa, and East Africa. At least one founder should be based there and actively running the business. Having a non-resident co-founder is not a barrier if your operations are in-country.
Typically 8–14 weeks from application to term sheet, then 2–4 more weeks for legal sign-off and wire transfer. TLcom aims to move quickly on pre-seed cheques because the point is to get capital to you fast; the process is much shorter than for larger rounds.
TAPSI is a $200,000 cheque, so TLcom typically takes a minority stake without a board seat. However, you gain access to their network, operational expertise, and two decades of African venture experience. Your relationship with them is as a partner, not a passive investor.
No. TAPSI is an upstream feeder to TLcom's larger $154M TIDE Africa Fund II, meaning well-performing portfolio companies can graduate to a larger Series A round. But there is no obligation; you can raise from other investors too.
Guide written from the official programme page on 18 October 2026. Funders change their rules, so confirm the details on the official page before you apply.
Launch Africa Ventures is one of Africa's most active early-stage VC firms, having made over 180 investments across 25 African countries since…
Techstars runs dedicated Africa-focused accelerator programmes including Techstars Lagos (in partnership with ARM Labs), offering a 13-week mentorship-driven programme for early-stage African…
Nigeria
Kenya+3TechnologyFintechThe FAO Technical Cooperation Programme provides grants to member countries for technical assistance projects in agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and food security. In…
Ghana
Egypt
South Africa
Sudan
Ethiopia