Seedstars Capital and Fondation Botnar have come together to launch Seedstars Youth Wellbeing Ventures, a new initiative aimed at investing $20 million in early-stage companies with a mission to improve the well-being of young people in low- and middle-income countries throughout Africa.
Seedstars Capital, an alternative investment platform focusing on emerging fund managers and technology companies in emerging markets, has joined forces with Fondation Botnar, a Swiss philanthropic foundation dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of young people in urban areas worldwide. This partnership reflects their shared commitment to making a positive impact through strategic investments.
Benjamin Langer, Partner at Seedstars Capital, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating, "Our partnership with Fondation Botnar will combine our strengths and resources to create meaningful change in emerging markets. Together, along with the support of our co-investor network, we will identify, invest in, and scale innovative companies that have the potential to transform the lives of young people across our target markets."
The mandate will focus on investing in early-stage companies ranging from pre-seed to Series A in sectors such as healthcare, environmental sustainability, local food security, water and sanitation, waste management, digital technologies, quality education, access to employment, financial services, safe transportation, and affordable housing.
Seedstars Youth Wellbeing Ventures aims to act as a catalyst for additional capital on the continent, and it is expected to co-invest alongside like-minded investors. The investments will span across Africa, with particular emphasis on companies already operating or expanding in Tanzania, Ghana, Senegal, Morocco, and Egypt.
Antoine Veyrassat, Venture Philanthropy Lead at Fondation Botnar, shared his enthusiasm about the partnership, saying, "Fondation Botnar is excited to join forces with Seedstars in supporting companies that are making a difference. Our shared commitment to improving the health and well-being of young people strongly aligns with our investment strategy, which takes a market-based approach to philanthropy, complementing our other philanthropic efforts. The rapid urbanization and growing number of young people in cities present unique challenges and opportunities that this initiative seeks to address."
Already, the partnership between Seedstars and Fondation Botnar has yielded successful outcomes. One such company supported by the collaboration, which utilizes technology to streamline operations in the fragmented logistics sector, has raised $2.5 million in seed funding. This exemplifies the partners' dedication to backing enterprises that contribute to youth well-being, specifically by improving the working conditions of young truck drivers in Senegal.
To further strengthen the mandate and advance its mission, Seedstars has brought on board Cyrine Ben Fadhel as an investment manager. With her extensive experience in venture capital gained from previous roles at Lateral Frontiers Capital and Global Ventures, Cyrine will serve as the main point of contact for the initiative. Her expertise will be instrumental in identifying and scaling innovative companies across the African continent, reinforcing the commitment of Seedstars and Fondation Botnar to drive positive change in youth wellbeing.
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