FAQs

What is Obuntu Foundation?

Obuntu Foundation is on a mission to advance the next generation of Africa-focused Emerging Fund Managers. We believe Emerging Fund Managers, many who were founders and operators in Africa, are uniquely positioned to drive superior, inclusive returns for the continent while driving capital to underrepresented founders, geographies, and opportunities.

What is the Obuntu Launchpad Fellowship?

We’ve created the Obuntu Launchpad Fellowship in an effort to foster innovation and economic growth in Africa; and are dedicated to addressing the unique challenges faced by local Emerging Fund Managers in Africa, enabling them to thrive in Africa’s rapidly evolving VC ecosystem.

Our curriculum has been co-designed with and is delivered by African and global leaders in VC. Sessions are driven by leaders from pre-eminent African VCs like RareBreed, TLcom, and Helios; Global superstar VCs like the Hustle Fund, Better Tomorrow Ventures, Rarebreed Ventures — as well as LPs that create change in Africa like the Small Foundation, BlinkCV and Capricorn.

That’s just a few of the names that work with us — more to come.

Over the course of 12 weeks, the Fellowship focuses on providing Fellows with knowledge, community, and resources. Some highlights:

  • Topics. Thesis development, building a track record, warehousing deals, building a winning Fund Deck, fund economics, and identifying & engaging LPs.

  • Session Leads. An amazing lineup of guests, including Helios, Partech, TLcom, Mastercard Foundation, Better Tomorrow Ventures, the Small Foundation, and Blue Haven Initiative - to name a few.

  • Community. Fellows also get the opportunity to put what is shared to practice and have the community (including LPs) respond to portfolio/fund pitches.

We accept up to 15 Fellows per Class.

What are the time commitments?

The mostly virtual 12-week Fellowship is mostly 2-3 hour scheduled Zoom sessions focused on either content, context, or community. We expect Fellows to commit 5 hours per week (could be more if you want to dive deeper, and engage further).

Scheduled sessions are Mon, Wed, and/or Fri mostly between 3-6 PM GMT/BST.

What are the criteria for Fellowship completion?

Attendance: 75% or more on all sessions

Assignments: 100% completion

Feedback: 100% completion of feedback forms

What are you looking for in future Fellows?

The Fellows we are looking for will:

  • range in profiles from local startup and corporate operators to experienced senior roles within a VC fund,

  • have experience investing in Africa (if even angel investing),

  • be seriously considering or have started to work towards building their new fund.

We aim to keep our Classes at least 50% female, 100% either already living in or about to return to Africa, and 80% with startup and Africa experience.

I’m an Associate/Principal at a VC firm. Can I join the Fellowship?

Unfortunately, no. The Fellowship is designed for Emerging Fund Managers, so we’re looking for prospective Fellows who are GPs. You are of course, very welcome to ask others to nominate you in the future when you're ready to start your own fund/when you're a GP. We'd be more than happy to receive your nomination then!

How much does the Fellowship cost?

The Obuntu Launchpad Fellowship is currently free of charge so Fellows don’t have to pay to attend.

I am interested in becoming an Obuntu Launchpad Fellow. How do I apply?

Obuntu Launchpad is an invite-only Fellowship so if you want to take part you must be nominated by a peer or colleague. Once we receive a nomination from one of your colleagues, the top candidates will be invited to complete the application.

What happens after I’ve nominated someone?

The Obuntu Team will review your nomination. If we think nominee fits what we’re looking for they’ll get to go through a few stages before we’re ready to make an offer:

  • Application Stage. Nominees will be sent an application form to fill in.

  • Screening Stage. Selected nominees will have a screening call with one of our Fellows from a previous Class.

  • Interview Stage. Top candidates will have an interview with at least 2 Cofounders at Obuntu Foundation.

  • Offer.

I have been nominated for the Obuntu Launchpad Fellowship. What happens next?

The Obuntu Team will reach out to let you know you’ve been nominated. Once we’ve reviewed your nomination we’ll get back to you if we think you’d be a good fit for the Fellowship.

This is what the rest of the process looks like to get to an offer for the Fellowship:

  • Application Stage. You’ll receive an email with a link to apply to the Fellowship.

  • Screening Stage. A screening call with one of our Fellows from a previous Class.

  • Interview Stage. If you’re a top candidate, we’ll invite you to a virtual interview with at least 2 Cofounders at Obuntu Foundation.

  • Offer.