Fund Supported by Rihanna Aims to Increase Climate Ventures Led by Women in Africa
Gather Ventures, an impact investment firm founded by Jo Opot, has announced plans to scale its portfolio within the next 18 months. The focus of this expansion is on supporting startups that address climate challenges across Africa.
The Gather Impact Fund, established in 2021 and financially backed by Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation, primarily targets early-stage women-led startups in sectors such as agriculture, technology, construction, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, water access, and climate tech.
Since its inception, the fund has allocated nearly 80% of its capital to businesses led by women tackling environmental issues. It prioritizes sectors where women are significantly involved or underrepresented, mainly agriculture (the largest employer of women in Africa), technology, and construction.
The financing approach is flexible, including grants, equity investments, loans, and working capital to meet diverse startup needs at different stages of growth. The goal is to invest in 25 African-led climate startups by 2026, empowering women to build sustainable and resilient businesses contributing to environmental and economic progress.
The Gather Impact Fund's mission continues to bolster female entrepreneurship in Africa, as outlined by its commitment to the Gather Impact Fund's mission to bolster female entrepreneurship in the face of climate challenges. This initiative aims to help them build sustainable, resilient businesses across Africa.
While the specific African women-led startups supported by Gather Ventures' climate-focused fund have not been individually named or listed in the available search results, the fund emphasizes backing women entrepreneurs who build climate solutions rather than highlighting specific portfolio companies in the public domain. If you need information on particular startups supported, it may require direct contact with Gather Ventures or waiting for future portfolio disclosures from the fund.
In conclusion, Gather Ventures' climate-focused fund, backed financially by Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation, is a significant step towards supporting women-led startups that address climate challenges in Africa. By providing flexible financing and focusing on sectors where women are significantly involved or underrepresented, the fund aims to empower women entrepreneurs and build a more sustainable and resilient future for Africa.
The Gather Impact Fund, funded by Rihanna’s Clara Lionel Foundation, extends its investment focus beyond climate tech to include health-and-wellness and women's health sectors, as these areas are crucial to the overall well-being of African communities. This expansion aligns with the fund's commitment to backing women entrepreneurs who address critical challenges on the continent, such as climate change and health disparities.
With the Gather Impact Fund's mission to bolster female entrepreneurship, it is foreseeable that we might witness an upsurge in innovative startups addressing health-and-wellness and women's health issues, thereby contributing to the overall growth and sustainability of African societies.
