Amplify.Africa is a geo-specific syndicate, created to invest in early-to-mid stage African technology companies, preferably those that have emerging tech applications, such as AI/ML (machine learning) or cryptocurrency, as a core part of their product or service.
We do not invest in business plans in need of a technical cofounder.
"African technology companies" are defined in this thesis as startups which are either originally from Africa, have a significant African presence, and/or have an African founding team. These companies must be incorporated in the USA to be considered for investment at this time.
About the Syndicate Founder (Andy Volk)
I have over 25 years of startup and technology leadership experience across Silicon Valley and Africa, including leading the team that created Google's pan-African startup accelerator program in Nigeria (Launchpad Accelerator Africa), founding a consulting firm (clients included NASA and MTV), and inventing the world's first social user-created radio platform (Live365).
I also publish Africa Notes (notes.africa), a bimonthly newsletter in which I track the movements of the African technology startup ecosystem, both at a macro level and at an individual deal level.
My investing philosophy is to invest in passionate and trustworthy founders who have products which clearly address unmet customer needs, and that can scale rapidly in their market(s). I believe in the "start narrow, grow broad" approach, where startups become experts in their first market (regardless of size) before growing into additional markets. I recognize that African technology startups often have "a long story" behind them, and in these cases they will have a longer pre-funding history than the standard Silicon Valley startup.
My personal investment experience includes being a Limited Partner with Microtraction (focused on pre-seed Nigerian technology startups), a Limited Partner with the Future.Africa Rolling Fund, and have made 30+ angel investments prior to setting up this syndicate.
Please note that my investments and opinions represent solely myself, and not my employer.
I look at companies that find me through the relationships I've formed over the 25+ years in Africa and Silicon Valley.
I will share all Africa-related investments I make to selected investors from the syndicate, subject to founder approval. The amount available will be based on the allocation available.
