Botswana Tech Fund backs seven Southern African startups with up to £100,000 each
What's the deal? The Botswana Tech Fund has selected seven startups from Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe for the first cohort of its pre-seed accelerator, committing up to £100,000 per company. The three-month hybrid programme is based in Gaborone.
How does the money work? Each startup receives an initial £25,000 and can unlock a further £75,000 by meeting performance targets, in exchange for 10% equity. The cohort spans fintech, healthtech, edtech, retail, and logistics, and includes AreyeDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Botsogo Jwame, Ipachi CapitalDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, Slash, Koloso, MoovhaDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, and PatientCare.
What's the endgame? The accelerator is the first deployment of the fund's dual strategy, which also targets £500,000–£2 million growth cheques. Participating founders are expected to use Gaborone as a launchpad for regional expansion.
Why now? The fund, anchored by Pula InvestmentsDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → — the family office of Stephen Lansdown — and powered by Launch Africa VenturesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, reached a first close of £5 million in July 2026 against a £50 million target. The cohort is an early test of whether it can build a track record and attract further commitments.
The signal: Southern African venture activity remains concentrated — SAVCA counted 212 South African deals in 2025, but across just 91 companies, down from 110 the year before. The fund's bet is notable less for any single cheque than for directing structured early-stage capital toward markets beyond the region's established hubs.
Read more: tldrafrica.com
Image credit: Generated with Gemini
