First Circle Capital, a specialist early-stage venture fund focused on African fintech innovation, has secured US6 million from the International Finance Corporation IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, to expand its investments in high-potential financial technology startups across the continent.
With offices in Casablanca and Kampala, First Circle Capital focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage companies solving foundational challenges in financial services. Its fund, targeting US30 million, is building a concentrated portfolio of 24 startups, providing not only capital but also hands-on operational and business development support to help founders reach Series A readiness.
To date, the firm has invested in 15 startups across eight African markets, with 30 of portfolio companies led or co-founded by women and half operating across multiple countries. The fund applies a deeply thematic investment approach, backing ventures that build the infrastructure and applications shaping the next generation of African financial services.
