R-Ventures - We Invest In Potential

R-Ventures is a diversified global investment holding company that invests in emerging market startups developing high-impact, technology-driven solutions. Through decades of experience in the financial services, telecommunications and infrastructure sectors worldwide, the R-Ventures management team and its advisory partners believe that early-stage venture capital is one of the key instruments of change that can disrupt traditional sectors of an economy and create greater financial inclusion and economic growth in these markets. As a seed-stage and early growth-stage investor, we believe that what sets emerging market startups apart,
is their ability to see not just the storied ‘gap in the market’, but also a ‘market in the gap’. We are a group of successful entrepreneurs and angel investors who created successful businesses that solve critical challenges through technology – led by global thought leaders and technology entrepreneurs.

WHAT WE LOOK FOR

We want to invest in emerging market startups who are seeing the world at a different angle and are building solutions to solve problems using technology.

TEAM

At the core, we are looking for great teams. Preferably proven founders or founders that have profound knowledge and experience operating in the industry they are trying to disrupt. We know from first-hand experience that the road is long. We want to make sure that there is an excellent match and rapport between the team and us. But we also need to make sure that these founders are mentorable and coachable.

T.A.M.

We want to understand the problem you are solving. What is the scale of the problem? What is the Total Addressable Market (TAM)? Understanding the problem will help us understand the size of the opportunity. We are focused on ideas that target global billion dollar markets but at the very least a $100 million market within 5 years of inception.

TRACTION

If you can show some proof of traction, be it early adopter feedback, initial paying customers, or a clear path towards a $100K monthly recurring revenue (‘MRR’) Series A milestone, it will help us better see a path to a billion dollar addressable market.

TECHNOLOGY

What makes you unique? Do you have a technology edge? Do you have something others might call ‘rocket science’? Do you have something that can scale and protect you from others trying to copy you, especially if the market is crowded?

TRANSFORMATIVE

We want to see how your idea will transform the industry you are going after. Not just incrementally, but fundamentally. Think of companies like Skype, Zendesk, Spotify each defining a brand-new category that allows them to dominate for decades. You win a market by being first or best.

TIMING

Everything in life comes down to timing. Why now? Too often, we see the vision of founders collide with the realities of the market, often because their timing is wrong. But take Skype as an example of the opposite. Skype wasn’t first with VOIP, but their timing was spot on. Google wasn’t the world’s first search engine, but their timing and offering was spot on.

10 X

We just said the timing is everything, but we are also a VC, and we are focused on returns. Hence, we target a 10X return on our investments. This means that balanced valuations are key to us; however, often one of the most challenging aspects to assess.

PORTFOLIO

Semoa Togo is a start-up whosae vocation is to offer a panel of fintech solutions for payment in Africa

Semoa Togo is a start-up whose vocation is to offer a panel of fintech solutions for payment in Africa. Transact with your customer in a innovative and secure way: WhatsApp Banking by SEMOA

Kuda is a full service digital only bank with a banking license. Kuda is designed for your smartphone, free of ridiculous charges and great at helping you budget, spend smartly and save more.

Robinhood is a free-trading app that lets investors trade stocks, options, exchange-traded funds and cryptocurrency without paying commissions or fees.

The core business philosophy is focused on protecting people and assets. In a complex world where crime exists, they are inspired by creating solutions that produce real results.

Bettr is Challenger/Fintech Bank launching in South Africa with a focus on Gen Z & Millenials. The zero monthly fee banking app gives users a new way to work, live and play with their money, as well as access to a marketplace of products and services.

FinAccess builds technology to help Africa’s Micro Finance Institutions (MFIs) grow – from new startups, to market leaders launching new business models.

An online marketplace using Machine Learning and Gig-economy, Yobante Express helps local commerce grow by connecting it with local couriers to make it affordable, easy, efficient, reliable, and fast to send parcels for e-commerce, retailers, businesses, and individuals in emerging markets.

The company provides instant, zero-fee transfers to Africans at home and in the diaspora. It allows users to deposit cash on the app, send money to a bank account or another user and withdraw money to a connected bank or debit card. Like other crypto remittance platforms, Afriex has built its business on stablecoins – cryptocurrency backed by the dollar.

Quick tickets for fast-moving entrepreneurs.

PORTFOLIO STATS

PORTFOLIO INDUSTRIES:

OPERATING IN:

THE OPPORTUNITY

At R-Ventures, we look at how startups in emerging markets create solutions, using technology that disrupts sectors of an economy, allowing for great inclusion, which is a crucial driver of sustained economic growth.

EMERGING MARKETS MAY HAVE AN EDGE IN MOBILE

What we are seeing in emerging markets is how the mobile phone is evolving even further. The device is driving the solutions startups develop. Education and business infrastructure systems incorporate the mobile phone as the entry point for underserved markets.

FINTECH STARTUPS ARE REDESIGNING FINANCIAL SERVICES

Financial inclusion for underserved people across the world, is a critical challenge, especially in emerging markets that have large informal economies. Fintech innovators are building affordable, accessible and appropriate solutions designed to improve the financial health of underserved populations in emerging markets.

THE TEAM

SCOTT YOUNG, CFA

PRINCIPAL

Scott graduated cum laude from UCT having studied a Bachelor of Business Science (honours in Economics) and further received his CFA charter holder in 2011. Scott has 12 years’ experience in the financial services industry. The majority of this time was spent in the listed equity environment as an Investment Analyst and Portfolio Manager. He also has corporate finance experience and most recently has been assisting start-ups with corporate advisory services. Scott is, above all, a passionate investor in both the listed and private markets with a strong bias towards scalable technology.

ANGELA BENNETT

DIRECTOR

Angela received psychology undergraduate and honours degrees from Africa’s top tertiary institution, the University of Cape Town (UCT), as well as completing coaching courses, in both executive and life coaching, and counselling courses through the University of South Africa (UNISA).

Her career has spanned across several roles and sectors, working in Director positions in both Sales and Marketing in the telecoms, regulatory technology and big data fields, which evolved into Executive Director positions. She worked in the non-profit space as Program Director for a Stanford University initiative around scaling access to health education in Africa and has worked closely with the former Prime Minister of Haiti for many years which has afforded her great exposure to the world of politics and government. Angela is passionate about the startup world.

SIBABALWE QETU-YATES

Associate

Sibabalwe has experience across a range of different industries. He began his professional life in Zug, Switzerland working in the Mining Industry. Sibabalwe studied towards a Bachelor of Arts in Politics & Law at the University of Cape Town. In his final year, he received a bursary from a top Cape Town family law firm to complete his LLB whilst gaining practical training as a Candidate Attorney. Since then he has gained experience in start-ups and podcasting. Sibabalwe co-founded his first start-up, an online marketplace for event space & shoot locations as a side project to his studies. This was a gateway to the start-up and low-ticket investment world; within that world, Sibabalwe has worked with some of the world’s leading venture capitalists and some incredibly exciting start-ups. He is passionate about solving African Problems with African Solutions.

MAXIME CHERESTAL

Partner Relations

Maxime Cherestal graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) with Honors from Northeastern University. He went on to obtain a Master of Business Administration degree (MBA) cum laude from the University of Massachusetts. He has broad experience in the telecommunications field where he held several key management and engineering positions ranging from Program Management Director at AT&T to Vice-President of Engineering and Operations at a Mobile Phone Operator start-up. Maxime is also an enthusiast of blockchain technology, the cryptocurrency ecosystem and the disruptive and revolutionary value of decentralized applications.

CECILIA BRAUNAGEL

Project Manager

Cecilia graduated from the university of Basse-Normandy, France, with Bachelor degrees of Arts in Spanish and in Science of languages. She has been working in the management and communication field for several years before joining the R-Ventures team as project manager.

RACHNA DEVI

MARKETING

Meet Rachna Devi, our highly skilled SEO Specialist and Online Marketer with over 8 years of experience in the industry. Rachna’s specialties include original content development, building quality backlinks, on-page and off-page optimization, website audits, competitor analysis, social media optimization and marketing, and keyword research.
Rachna’s expertise in digital marketing allows her to offer complete SEO, SMM, PPC, and writing services to clients across various industries. With a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) degree from Himachal Pradesh University, she possesses excellent analytical and problem-solving skills that make her excel in the field of SEO.
As a dedicated and experienced digital marketer, Rachna is passionate about delivering results. Whether it’s optimizing websites for search engines, creating compelling content, or managing social media campaigns, she is committed to helping businesses grow and achieve success in the online world.

CONTACT US

Email info@r-ventures.net