Gaborone, Botswana (Running Africa) — Botswana has taken a major step toward strengthening Africa’s innovation economy with the launch of the Botswana Tech Fund (BTF), a £50 million multi-stage venture capital fund designed to support technology and tech-enabled startups across Southern Africa.

The fund, anchored by Pula Investments and managed in partnership with Launch Africa Ventures, will provide financing to startups from the pre-seed stage through Series C, positioning Botswana as an emerging hub for venture capital and technology investment on the continent.

Funding Startups from Pre-Seed to Series C

The Botswana Tech Fund will invest across multiple stages of business growth, offering entrepreneurs access to both capital and strategic support.

Through its accelerator program, early-stage startups will receive investments ranging from £25,000 to £100,000, alongside mentorship, business development guidance, market access and operational support aimed at accelerating growth.

More established companies with proven revenue models will be eligible for investments of between £500,000 and £2 million, enabling them to expand operations and scale across Southern Africa.

Strengthening Southern Africa’s Startup Ecosystem

Operating from Botswana, the fund seeks to capitalize on the country’s reputation for political stability, strong governance, high internet penetration and investor-friendly policies.

Its location within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) also provides startups with access to a broader regional market and cross-border growth opportunities.

To strengthen the pipeline of investment-ready businesses, BTF has partnered with the Botswana Innovation Hub, which will help identify promising startups and provide ecosystem support for entrepreneurs.

Experienced Leadership and Continental Network

The Botswana Tech Fund is led by Martin Davis, the former Chief Executive Officer of Molten Ventures, alongside Florence Bavanandan of Launch Africa Ventures.

Through its partnership with Launch Africa Ventures, the fund gains access to one of the continent’s most established venture capital networks, which has invested in more than 160 startups founded by over 300 entrepreneurs across 25 African countries.

The collaboration is expected to enhance deal sourcing, investment expertise and regional expansion opportunities for portfolio companies.

Investing in Innovation and Social Impact

Beyond supporting high-growth technology businesses, the Botswana Tech Fund has committed to creating long-term social impact.

A portion of the fund’s investment profits will be donated to the Tuli Conservation Trust, supporting conservation projects, environmental protection and community development initiatives in Botswana.

The initiative reflects a growing trend among African investment funds to combine financial returns with sustainable development goals.

Botswana Positions Itself as a Regional Innovation Hub

The launch of the £50 million Botswana Tech Fund reinforces Botswana’s ambition to become a leading destination for venture capital, innovation and technology entrepreneurship in Africa.

As startup ecosystems continue to expand across the continent, the fund is expected to provide entrepreneurs with the capital, expertise and regional networks needed to build scalable businesses capable of driving economic growth and digital transformation across Southern Africa.