Fast Forward is a venture studio—and early-stage fund—that builds and backs companies to unlock prosperity through technology. Fast Forward’s venture studio selects up to 10 ideas and founding teams annually—with priority on platform and infrastructure plays—in sectors including (but not limited to) B2B, Fintech, eCommerce, Edtech, Healthcare, Logistics, Deep Tech, SaaS, Future of Work, and Blockchain. Fast Forward recruits dynamic entrepreneurs advancing concepts we believe will fast track to scale to at least 10M people and achieve >$10m ARR value in 3-5 years. As a fund, Fast Forward invests pro rata in future rounds of venture studio companies and makes select investments in pre-seed African startups. At Fast Forward, we put startup founders first. African entrepreneurs founding successful tech companies offer huge potential for exponential impact across the continent. African founders have the ability to scale business and social solutions, modernize economies, improve day to day lives and create jobs and upward mobility. Africa’s founder class can also bring additional benefits to the continent through philanthropy and positive political reform.

Future Africa is a Lagos-based venture capital firm established in 2016, dedicated to empowering mission-driven founders and innovators to tackle significant challenges across the African continent. The firm focuses on creating a future where purpose and prosperity are accessible to all. Future Africa invests in a diverse array of sectors, including agriculture, data and artificial intelligence, e-commerce, education, finance, healthcare, and technology, among others. By supporting startups and entrepreneurs, Future Africa aims to foster the development of transformative solutions that contribute to the continent's economic growth and social progress.

HoaQ is a venture angel group established in 2020 and based in Dublin, Ireland. The organization focuses on supporting early-stage technology and tech-enabled startups across Africa and its Diaspora. By fostering a community of creators and operators, HoaQ aims to back entrepreneurs in their efforts to develop scalable businesses that can thrive in the African market.

Founded in 2002 by Patrice Hoppenot, Investisseurs & Partenaires is a pioneering impact investment group dedicated to African Small and Medium Enterprises. Headquartered in Paris with offices across Africa, the firm invests in companies creating local value and long-term employment, focusing on sectors like health, transport, microfinance, and other ventures. Since inception, I&P has invested in over 90 companies across 16 countries, managing four pan-African funds totaling €135 million.

CIBC Capital Partners is a Toronto-based investment firm specializing in direct, fund, and mezzanine investments. It provides subordinated debt and equity to mid- and late-stage private or public companies for growth financing, acquisitions, management buyouts, and recapitalizations. The firm prefers investments in later-stage companies undergoing financial restructurings, with a focus on sectors such as Industrials, Healthcare, Biotechnology, Financials, and Technology. It typically invests CAD10-20 million ($9.81-$19.61 million) per company, based primarily in Canada, Europe, and Australia.