Capria VC to Invest $3 Million in Local Startups

Using a distinctive approach to investing in emerging economies, Capria VC, a global investment firm with $207 million in funds under management, supports local fund managers and companies. While it has made direct investments in just 41 startups, it has indirectly invested in around 400 portfolio firms worldwide through its investments in 17 fund managers.

The African partner companies of Capria include Atlantica Ventures, Lateral Frontiers, and Global Ventures. We have extensive access to market insights thanks to this methodology, which makes it strong. It’s massive data collection that helps us and the businesses in our portfolio.” Mobola da Silva, Capria’s Africa partner, said.

In order to bolster Capria’s physical presence on the continent, she moved from Lagos to Nairobi in 2024 after joining the company in 2023 as a venture partner.

She had leadership positions at the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, the uMunthu Fund, and Alitheia Finance during her 14 years at the nexus of venture finance and emerging markets prior to joining Capria.

“Investing in the most promising ventures and supporting entrepreneurs who are most suited to grow game-changing companies is a common thread,  Da Silva stated. 

With funds set aside for further investments, Capria invests $1–3 million in businesses. The company has made direct investments in six African businesses, concentrating on industries such as fintech, agtech, HRtech/jobtech, edtech, healthtech, and B2B SaaS that are generating significant impact and innovation.

“These sectors are important areas where entrepreneurship and technology can develop game-changing solutions in developing markets,” da Silva said. 

Its direct portfolio includes Seamless HR, Paymob, and Moniepoint. It joined one of its associate businesses, Global Ventures, in investing in MAX. It has exposure to many African companies in its indirect portfolio, including LipaLater, Klasha, and Figorr.

The teams of venture capital companies that invest and assist portfolio businesses are frequently divided. Capria has a distinctive support strategy in addition to its distinctive investing methodology. Its in-house AI team consists of four engineers.

In order to coordinate long-term exit strategies, either through M&A, secondary sales, or public markets, founders should proactively interact with possible acquirers, strategic alliances, and later-stage investors.