Small cheques. Real conviction.
Early-stage capital for founders I believe in, backed by structural support that most angels can't offer.
I don't just write cheques. I build the thing the cheque pays for.
bet on the builders.I invest in founders I know — primarily from the African Leadership Group ecosystem and adjacent networks. People who've operated in hard markets, built with constraints, and have the grit to make it work.
Founder-first
I back people, not pitch decks. The founders I invest in have operated in the real world — they know what hard looks like.
Africa & emerging markets
The opportunities are enormous and underserved. I invest where I have context, relationships, and operational understanding.
Structural edge
Most angels write a cheque and disappear. I bring venture architecture — ownership design, governance, regulatory positioning — from day one.
Long-term conviction
Small tickets, big commitment. I'm not optimising for portfolio theory. I'm in it because I believe in what you're building.
Typical cheque size
$10K - $50K
Early-stage conviction capital. Pre-seed to Seed.
Real cheques, real terms, real founders. No theory.
| Company | Country | Instrument | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duara Education | Kenya (Delaware C-Corp) | Post-money SAFE (YC, Cap with Discount) | Valuation cap: USD 5,000,000. Discount rate: 80% (i.e. 20% off). Converts on next equity financing or liquidity event. Sept 2023 round. |
| e-moti | Kenya | Convertible Note | Principal: USD 5,000. Interest: 9% per annum, simple. Maturity: 24 months from Feb 2025. Valuation cap: USD 12,000,000. Discount: 20%. Qualified financing threshold: USD 500,000. Pro-rata rights. |
| Kabisa | Rwanda (Delaware Inc.) | Post-money SAFE (Discount only) | No valuation cap. Discount rate: 80% (i.e. 20% off). No interest. Part of NAN syndicate, USD 1,000,000 round, Apr 2024. |
| Namirembe Sweater Makers | Uganda | Loan | Principal: USD 12,000. Term: 1 year. Interest: 5% per month on capital. Disbursed Mar 2021. Restructuring under discussion. |
| Publisher Prime | New Zealand | Equity (Ordinary Shares) | Direct equity stake in Publisher Prime Ltd, NZ holding company. Group established 2023, Lane Neave LLP and KPMG advised. Position via Mexzungu Group. |
| Ayambe | Pan-Africa (founder Rwanda) | Loan, recontracting | End balance owed: USD 35,000 principal plus accrued interest. Original disbursement under earlier facility. New contract being negotiated to formalise the catch-up position. Reported ARR Mar 2025: USD 2.29M. |
| Diani Kite Club | Kenya | Secured Loan, repaid | Principal: EUR 1,000. Term: 4 months, EUR 250 monthly instalments from Jul 2024. Secured against kitesurfing equipment in Diani Beach. Borrower: Daniel Heinrichs. Status: repaid in full. |
Cheque sizes are private. Terms above are the founder-side instrument terms.
The cheque is the smallest part. What matters is what comes with it.
- Board or advisory seat — active, not decorative
- Structural and legal consulting as you scale
- Governance design when investors start showing up
- Cap table and ownership architecture from the start
- Access to a network of operators across Africa, LatAm, and beyond
- Someone who picks up the phone when it matters
But if I had to write it down:
Founders who've been in the arena
Prior operating experience. Built something before. Understand the difference between a pitch and a plan.
Solving real problems
Not chasing trends. Building for markets they understand deeply, solving problems they've lived.
Capital efficiency
Can do a lot with a little. Understand that runway is earned, not given.
Structural ambition
Want to build something that lasts. Not a flip — a company with real architecture underneath.
"You gave us space, trust and time to figure things out and yet kept us accountable. For our next round we want to give you stock at my personal cost."
"You took a bet on us. Advice on how to structure the products helped us create a robust roadmap. We would love you back in on a SAFE investment."
"Other investors focused on negotiating more interest. You sought to see that I was comfortable with the interest I had suggested. Hard times reveal the right people, and I know you have been patient with me in the hard times."
If we're the right fit, you'll know fast.