Josh Weiner
In a groundbreaking move for African venture capital, StartBank Africa Fund has secured a $15 million commitmentfrom The Private Office of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Faisal Al-Qassimi for Strategic Alliances and Policies. The investment was formally announced at the Funders & Fundees Roundtable Dialogue in Dubai, a high-profile forum dedicated to bridging funders and entrepreneurs to accelerate capital deployment across Africa.
This substantial backing marks a pivotal milestone for StartBank Africa Fund as it continues raising additional capital, reinforcing confidence in Africa as a prime investment destination.
Farouk Khailann, Founder and General Partner at StartBank Africa Fund, expressed deep gratitude for the commitment, emphasizing that Africa’s greatest challenge is not a lack of capital or innovation—but ensuring the right visionaries lead transformative ventures.
“Africa presents boundless investment opportunities, but too many game-changing initiatives have failed—not due to a shortage of capital or innovation, but because of leadership shortcomings,” said Khailann. “The key is to identify and back founders who possess not only groundbreaking ideas but also the right character and resilience to drive real impact.”
Khailann extended his appreciation to Amb. Dunston P, Group CEO of The Private Office, and Chief Investment Officer Pranav Jyoti for their unwavering belief in Africa’s economic potential. He also acknowledged the investment expertise of Olatokunbo Ige and Manya Pamnani, whose strategic insights will support the fund’s mission of fostering sustainable growth on the continent.
The $15 million commitment serves as a powerful confidence signal as StartBank Africa Fund advances its mission of empowering Africa’s next generation of high-impact entrepreneurs. By focusing on character-driven leadership and transformative business models, the fund is poised to play a key role in Africa’s economic acceleration.
The Funders & Fundees Roundtable Dialogue provided a platform for meaningful engagement between investors and founders, highlighting the critical need for ethical leadership and strategic partnerships to unlock Africa’s vast economic potential. This landmark investment not only validates the StartBank Africa Fund’s vision but also reinforces the UAE’s growing role in driving African investment and development.
About StartBank Africa Fund
StartBank Africa Fund is a venture capital firm dedicated to scaling African entrepreneurship by investing in high-potential businesses with strong leadership teams. Through strategic partnerships and capital deployment, the fund is committed to shaping Africa’s future as a global economic powerhouse.
