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UNCOVERED FUND

Asia, Tokyo, Japan, Tokyo

Description

Uncovered Fund is a Tokyo-based venture capital firm with a distinctive focus on early-stage startups across the African continent. Established with a mission to empower African entrepreneurs, the firm primarily targets companies operating in the Seed to Series A funding stages. Unlike many VCs with a broad global mandate, Uncovered Fund has carved out a niche by dedicating its resources and expertise to fostering innovation within Africa's burgeoning tech ecosystem, aiming to back solutions that address the continent's unique challenges and opportunities.

The firm's investment strategy centers on identifying promising ventures that demonstrate strong potential for growth and impact within various sectors across Africa. Since its inception, Uncovered Fund has built a diverse portfolio, having invested in 27 startups spanning 10 different countries across the continent, including key markets like Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt, and Ghana. This geographically dispersed approach underscores their commitment to supporting a wide array of innovative solutions emerging from Africa's vibrant entrepreneurial landscape.

Uncovered Fund has successfully raised two funds, accumulating a total of $35 million in assets under management. Their first fund closed at $20 million, followed by a second fund which secured $15 million. The firm typically deploys capital through initial checks ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, positioning them as a crucial early-stage investor for African startups. This strategic investment size allows them to provide foundational capital to companies poised for significant scale, reinforcing their role in nurturing the next generation of African tech leaders.

Investor Profile

UNCOVERED FUND has backed more than 20 startups, with 1 new investments in the last 12 months alone. The firm has led 3 rounds, about 15% of its total and boasts 2 exits across its portfolio.

Investment Focus Highlights

  • Concentrates on Seed, Series A, Series Unknown rounds (top funding stages).
  • Majority of deals are located in Kenya, Nigeria, United States.
  • Strong thematic focus on Financial Services, FinTech, E-Commerce.
  • Typical check size: $100K – $500K.

Stage Focus

  • Seed (65%)
  • Series A (15%)
  • Series Unknown (10%)
  • Series C (5%)
  • Pre Seed (5%)

Country Focus

  • Kenya (30%)
  • Nigeria (25%)
  • United States (20%)
  • South Africa (10%)
  • Canada (5%)
  • Togo (5%)
  • Egypt (5%)

Industry Focus

  • Financial Services
  • Fintech
  • E-commerce
  • Software
  • Payments
  • Information Technology
  • Banking
  • Transportation
  • Internet
  • Finance
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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn who this investor regularly partners with—both firms and angels—and explore their latest activity.

Who does UNCOVERED FUND frequently co-invest with?

Musha Ventures
North America, New York, United States, New York
Co-Investments: 3
SOSV
North America, New Jersey, United States, Princeton
Co-Investments: 3
KSK Angel Fund
North America, California, United States, San Diego
Co-Investments: 4
Vastly Valuable Ventures
Asia, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi
Co-Investments: 2
Ventures Platform
North America, Prince Edward Island, Canada, Victoria
Co-Investments: 2
MyAsia VC
Asia, Central Region, Singapore, Singapore
Co-Investments: 2
RaliCap
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 2
CO
Europe, Vaduz, Liechtenstein, Vaduz
Co-Investments: 4
Launch Africa
Africa, Plaines Wilhems, Mauritius, Ebène
Co-Investments: 5
Future Africa
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Co-Investments: 4

Which angels does UNCOVERED FUND often collaborate with?

Adii Pienaar
Africa, NA - South Africa, South Africa, Cape Town
Shared Deals: 1
EJ
Europe, England, United Kingdom, London
Shared Deals: 1
Rajesh Sawhney
Asia, Haryana, India, Gurgaon
Shared Deals: 1
Sajid Rahman
Asia, Jakarta Raya, Indonesia, Jakarta
Shared Deals: 1
Olugbenga Agboola
Africa, Nigeria
Shared Deals: 1
YE
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
Keisuke Honda
Asia, Hokkaido, Japan, Chuo
Shared Deals: 1
Axel Peyriere
Oceania, New South Wales, Australia, Sydney
Shared Deals: 1
EO
North America, California, United States, San Francisco
Shared Deals: 1
AH
North America, District of Columbia, United States, Washington
Shared Deals: 1

What are some of recent deals done by UNCOVERED FUND?

Sylndr

Cairo, Al Qahirah, Egypt

Sylndr is an automotive focused e-commerce marketplace bringing innovation to the used-cars market.

E-CommerceMarketplaceRetail
Series AMay 19, 2025
Amount Raised: $15,700,000
Termii

New Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

Termii helps African businesses communicate with customers across SMS, email, voice, and instant messaging channels.

Digital MarketingDigital MediaEmail MarketingMarketing AutomationMessagingSMS
SeedJun 9, 2023
Amount Raised: $3,650,000
Bettr

Cape Town, NA - South Africa, South Africa

The Digital Banking App for Creators

BankingFinanceFinancial ServicesFinTechPayments
Series UnknownDec 1, 2022
Amount Raised: $1,000,000
Thepeer

Newark, Delaware, United States

Thepeer develops platform to connect digital wallets across mobile money, banking, and possibly crypto.

Financial ServicesInformation TechnologySoftware
SeedJun 22, 2022
Amount Raised: $2,100,000
Terminal

Delaware City, Delaware, United States

Terminal is the easiest way to start your online business in Africa.

E-CommerceLogisticsPayments
SeedJun 1, 2022
Amount Raised: $2,100,000
Badili

Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya

Badili is a one-stop shop for buying and selling used and refurbished phones.

E-CommerceInternetPublishingRetail Technology
Pre SeedMay 11, 2022
Amount Raised: $2,100,000
ImaliPay

Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya

ImaliPay is a financial health platform offering financial products to freelancers and blue collar gig workers.

Financial ServicesFinTech
SeedApr 7, 2022
Amount Raised: $3,000,000
Credpal

Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

Credpal is a tech company that allows consumers to buy anything across various online and offline merchants and pay for it in installments.

E-CommerceFinancial ServicesFinTechPayments
Series UnknownMar 30, 2022
Amount Raised: $15,000,000
MarketForce

Nairobi, Nairobi Area, Kenya

MarketForce is the B2B SuperApp for Africa's neighbourhood merchants.

Financial ServicesFinTechInformation Technology
Series AFeb 22, 2022
Amount Raised: $40,000,000
Mecho

Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

Mecho is an on-demand auto repair and maintenance platform for individuals and businesses.

Auto InsuranceAutomotiveInformation TechnologyInternet of Things
SeedFeb 9, 2022
Amount Raised: $2,150,000