The Safaricom Spark Fund 2020 for tech start-ups in Kenya

Application Deadline:Ongoing

n 2014, Safaricom started the first Corporate Venture Fund in East Africa – the Spark Venture Fund. This was a USD 1 million fund that supported the successful development and growth of high potential mobile tech start-ups in Kenya through a combination of investment, business development support and technical assistance leveraging on Safaricom’s unique capabilities, assets and market positioning. The amount was subsequently fully invested into 6 mobile technology start-ups in Kenya: Sendy, Lynk, Ajua, Eneza, iProcure and Farmdrive.

In 2020, Safaricom allocated an additional $5 million to the fund to invest up to $500, 000 into tech-enabled start-ups that are strategically aligned with Safaricom’s purpose.

The new allocation will go a long way in supporting the successful development and growth of high potential tech start-ups in Kenya.  The fund will support start-ups through a combination of investment, business development support and technical assistance leveraging on Safaricom’s unique capabilities, assets and market positioning.

 We are keen to support tech companies that align with Safaricom’s long term corporate vision in Education, Healthcare and Agriculture. Start-ups in other categories of strategic importance and being complementary to Safaricom’s offering will also be considered

The start-ups will be identified and selected by a fund manager (S&B ventures) and upon completion of due diligence process be presented to the Investment Committee and Board of Trustees for funding consideration.  

Following investment approval, the funds will be disbursed, where Safaricom will appoint an internal deal team to provide post investment support

The Safaricom Spark Fund Objective

Grow a portfolio of strategically-aligned tech-enabled start-ups for deeper commercial partnership and/or acquisition by Safaricom whilst Transforming Lives

Selection criteria

The fund will be made available to tech-enabled start-ups as an enabler in the below verticals;

• Agriculture
• Education
• Healthcare

From time to time start-ups in other categories of strategic importance and being complementary to Safaricom’s purpose will also be considered.

Investees will have the following characteristics;

 Required

• Kenyan presence
• A Core diverse skilled team
• Refined Working mobile based product/service
• Commercially viable business model
• Active user base
• Generating revenues
• Partnership with Safaricom signed or being discussed
• Raising equity or quasi equity

Application process

The Fund Manager is S&B Ventures, based in Kenya, who will source deals, perform due diligence and recommend the investments.

Terms & Conditions

Spark Fund FAQs

Contact Us

S&B Ventures
Email: [email protected]

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Safaricom Spark Fund 2020