Venture capitalist firms popularly referred to as “VC” are mostly needed for small-scale services. They invest in people’s business and make sure it grows and brings a lot of profit. There are so many of Venture Capitalist firms in Nigeria and while some can be dangerous to ones business, there are others that can be very good and beneficial.
Examples of venture capitalist firms in Nigeria include Venture platform, SPARK capital, EchoVC Partners, Growth Capital Fund, SLA Accelerator LeadPath Nigeria, Lagos Angel Network (LAN), GreenTree Investment Company, Greenhouse Capital, Microtraction, to mention few.
Here is why some or all of these VCs are very good when it comes to investing with them. Some of the ones I list and explain below are what I deem to be the Venture Capitalist firms in Nigeria you should trust.
Venture Capitalist Firms in Nigeria You Should Trust
Top 10 Venture Capitalist Firms in Nigeria You Should Trust
The top 10 Venture Capitalist firms in Nigeria that I will be covering in this article are
- Venture platform
- SPARK capital
- EchoVC Partners
- Growth Capital Fund (GC Fund)
- Greenhouse Capital
- SLA Accelerator LeadPath Nigeria
- Lagos Angel Network (LAN)
- LeadPath Nigeria
- GreenTree Investment Company, and
- Microtraction
(1) Venture Platform
Venture Platform was founded by Kola Aina and their major role is to help start-up companies in Nigeria grow. The Company also extends its services and coverage to other parts of Africa which makes it a reliable company to consider when choosing a Venture Capitalist firm to invest in Nigeria. They have helped a number of startup companies to grow example of which includes Piggybank, MobileForms, Jalo, etc.
(2) SPARK Capital
SPARK Capital focuses on building companies mainly in Lagos and its founded by Jason Njoku. They have helped a lot of companies in funding and most of the companies include Paystack, OgaVenue, Drinks NG, etc.
Paystack Company was recently (2020) sold for 200 million dollars which improves the profit of SPARK Capital. Mostly, this venture capitalist receives 30% and more profit. Funding and making Paystack a global company to be sold at that huge amount suggests that they are a good company to invest with.
(3) Greenhouse Capital
Greenhouse Capital was founded by Venture Garden Group with the vision of becoming the biggest Fintech Company in the whole of Africa. It was founded in 2016 and they already have a strong stand when it comes to investment in business. They have helped popular companies from startups to established businesses to become a massive and major business to be reckoned with in Nigeria.
Examples of companies funded and helped by Greenhouse Capital include Flutterwave, Rensource, Riby, TalentBase and many more. Max NG is also one of the companies funded by Greenhouse Capital. Max NG is an okada business just like Opay. For Max NG to still be standing and operating well in Nigeria till date even with the emergence and disappearence of Opay’s Oride, it shows that the Greenhouse Capital is a strong Venture Capitalist to trust in starting and supporting of business.
Related: Why You Should Avoid Venture Capitalists And Angel Investors In Your Business
(4) Growth Capital Fund (GC Fund)
GC Fund just like other Venture Capitalists helps start-up businesses in Nigeria. They support innovative ideas and help to fund them. Their main purpose in funding businesses is building of infrastructure by using technology. Some of the companies that invest with Growth Capital are OMidyar Network, Bank of Industry, and Venture Garden Group. Remember that Venture Garden Group is the founder of another VC company called Greenhouse being discussed earlier. For a VC Company which is Growth Capital to fund Venture Garden Group which later founded another trusted VC Company is very remarkable and shows how strong and trustworthy they are.
(5) LeadPath Nigeria
Leadpath Nigeria company like other VC companies helps in funding other startup companies. But it’s not only startup companies that they fund. Any medium-sized company that is interested in more funding can also go to LeadPath Nigeria for funding.
They support majorly the growth of mobile technology idea and other software and web startup businesses. Leadpath supports with funds ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 for a start-up and several millions later as follow-up.
(6) GreenTree Investment Company
This, just like other investment companies also deal with start-up companies and invest in them to profit from them greatly. They provide a great framework for a company and also help in legal financial advice to the baby company. This company like also others have funded and invented in lots of companies and they were started in 2014. Examples of the companies being funded by GreenTree include Precurio and Big Cabal Media.
(7) Microtraction
Another example of a Venture Capitalist firm in Nigeria to trust is Microtraction. Microtraction also helps in funding of startup companies like others. Microtraction funds in billions of dollars which makes them a high funding company. It doesn’t take a fraud company to this stage of financially funding other businesses in billion dollars but a company that’s worth trusting when choosing a Venture Capitalist firm to invest in. They invest in ideas that are technology-driven and which are proven to be very smart.
Microtraction has funded a lot of popular companies in Nigeria which include Cowrywise, BuyCoins, Wallet.ng, ALLpro, etc. Most of these new companies deal with bank-related businesses and cryptocurrencies. So, if you have an idea about developing a business that deals with saving money or any cryptocurrencies, Microtraction is the venture capitalist firm to trust.
(8) Lagos Angel Network (LAN)
Moving further on the list of Venture Capitalist companies to trust is Nigeria is Lagos Angel Network (LAN). This is also a Venture Capitalist firm that deals with startup businesses and they are very active in Africa. Angel investors are individuals or professionals that come together and raise funds and to invest in startup businesses.
Since being a professional angel investor gives one the idea of a business to grow or not to grow, this venture is definitely among the companies to trust when investing with them. They were founded in Lagos and in the year 2014. Also, they are based in Lagos State, Nigeria and have funded a lot of startup companies located mostly in Lagos. In short, they have funded dozens upon dozens of startup companies.
(9) EchoVC Partners
This is another Venture Capitalist firm you can’t even miss even if you want to. The name speaks volume because the tagline, “VC” is already incorporated into the company name. EchoVC Partners is a Nigeria company that has extended its tentacles to other part of the world like sub-Saharan Africa and North America. It has become an international company which has proved reliable over time. They also help startup companies and invest hugely in them. EchoVC has proved to be a leading Venture Capitalist around the world by investing in some popular companies which include Hotels NG, Care45, Lifebank, MyPadi, etc.
(10) SLA Accelerator
Honorable mention includes the SLA Accelerator which has helped young African women with funding in ensuring a successful career for them. This company has been featured in CNN, CNBC Africa, and other important news outlet in the world.
When looking for a venture capitalist to fund your business ideas, these are some of the best ones to always look out for and you will never regret it.
