How is TLcom Capital accelerating early-stage African ventures?

TLcom Capital has reached a significant milestone by deploying half of its $5 million pre-seed fund, TAPSI, to support early-stage African tech startups. The latest beneficiary is TurnStay, a South African travel payment platform that recently raised $2 million in a seed round. Launched in 2022, TAPSI offers up to $200,000 to promising pre-seed ventures, providing not only financial support but also access to TLcom’s extensive global network and over two decades of experience in African venture investing. The fund acts as a crucial stepping stone for startups, feeding into TLcom’s larger $154 million TIDE Africa Fund II for future funding rounds. TAPSI’s portfolio includes diverse startups such as Talstack in Nigeria, Bright Financial in Sudan and Ethiopia, and Tradehub in Egypt, with a focus on supporting female-led ventures through a partnership with First Check Africa. With half of its capital already allocated, TAPSI plans to make up to 10 more pre-seed investments by the end of 2026, targeting Africa’s major innovation hubs and diverse founding teams. This approach reinforces TLcom’s pivotal role in the African funding landscape, emphasizing the importance of early-stage capital in a startup’s growth journey.