Founders Factory Africa Rebrands to 54 Collective: A New Era for African Startups

In a bold move reflecting its pan-African aspirations, Founders Factory Africa (FFA) has rebranded to 54 Collective. This transformation marks a strategic evolution aimed at amplifying support for African entrepreneurs and fostering a continent-wide impact.

A Visionary Beginning

Founded in 2018, Founders Factory Africa quickly made a name for itself by investing in and accelerating startups across the continent. Over the past few years, it has supported more than 70 ventures across Africa, helping these startups raise nearly $140 million in follow-on capital.

The rebrand to 54 Collective signifies a renewed commitment to supporting transformative technology ventures through catalytic capital and comprehensive support via its Venture Success Platform.

The Power of Catalytic Capital

54 Collective sets itself apart in the competitive venture capital market with its combination of significant funding and tailored support. The firm offers up to $500,000 in equity and non-dilutive capital, with an additional $150,000 available specifically for female founders to help break barriers of access. This unique approach not only provides financial backing but also ensures founders have the resources they need to succeed.

“Our catalytic capital and value-add support to founders, through our Venture Success Platform, signifies our evolution and ongoing mission to support entrepreneurs across Africa and enable them to build without boundaries to drive commercial and impact returns,” says Bongani Sithole, CEO of 54 Collective.

A Pan-African Vision

The name 54 Collective is a nod to the 54 countries that make up Africa, embodying the firm’s ambition to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses to serve the entire continent.

With a physical presence in Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria, 54 Collective is uniquely positioned to leverage local expertise and networks to scale ventures. This geographical footprint underscores the firm’s dedication to fostering entrepreneurial success across Africa.

Comprehensive Support for Founders

The Venture Success Platform, a cornerstone of 54 Collective’s offering, is composed of a team of highly experienced venture specialists who provide tailored support in areas such as product development, growth, commercial strategy, technology, and talent acquisition.

This platform also prepares founders for investor readiness, offers fundraising strategies, and facilitates networking and community-building opportunities, empowering founders to achieve global success.

“We are pursuing opportunistic investments in different sectors across the continent where there are uniquely large opportunities for startups to scale and create sustainable impact in these sectors,”

Sithole adds. “Our goal is to invest in 105 startups across Africa in the next five years, enabling entrepreneurs to provide solutions to the continent’s biggest challenges and transforming lives and industries.”

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

54 Collective is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion. The firm aims to build a portfolio where 50% or more of its startups are founded by women by 2025. Currently, 45% of the investments made between January 2023 and July 2024 are in women-led ventures.

This commitment to gender equity is a critical part of the firm’s strategy to drive economic growth and innovation across the continent.

A Legacy of Impact

Since its founding, 54 Collective has been a powerful economic and social force in the African economy. The firm’s investments have created significant social and economic impact, such as improving financial inclusion for over 11,000 boda-boda drivers through Asaak, a vehicle asset financing company. An impact study revealed that 79% of these drivers reported a significant improvement in their quality of life, and 80% saw an increase in income after receiving credit from Asaak.

Looking Ahead

As Africa continues to host some of the world’s fastest-growing economies, the need for smart capital and strategic support is more critical than ever. 54 Collective is at the forefront of this movement, redefining venture capital to empower the next generation of African entrepreneurs.

With plans to invest in 105 startups over the next five years, the firm is poised to make a lasting impact on the continent’s entrepreneurial landscape.

The vision is clear: to create a future where African entrepreneurship drives generational progress and prosperity across the continent. Investors, partners, and entrepreneurs are invited to join this exciting journey as 54 Collective transforms Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.