NIGERIA/KENYA – Endeavor catalyst, an innovative co-investment vehicle has accepted the founders of Kenya’s Apollo Agriculture and Nigeria’s 54gene into its global network of entrepreneurs.
The founders of the two startups are expected to gain access to various support services to help their companies scale.
The Endeavor initiative works to catalyse long-term economic growth by selecting, mentoring, and accelerating the best high-impact entrepreneurs worldwide.
The initiative has accepted a host of African entrepreneurs into its network in recent years, most recently at the end of May.
At its recent seventh Virtual International Selection Panel, Endeavor selected nine entrepreneurs from six markets to join its network, which now comprises 2,098 entrepreneurs leading 1,310 companies in 37 markets around the world.
The enterpreneurs included Benjamin Njenga and Eli Pollak of Kenya’s Apollo Agriculture and Dr Abasi Ene-Obong of Nigeria’s 54gene.
Apollo Agriculture delivers bundled seed, fertiliser, insurance, advice and access to market to smallholder farmers across Kenya through a digital, vertically integrated, and cost-effective approach.
Its Nigerian counterpart, 54gene, is an African genomics research, services, and development company addressing the need to include under-represented African genomic data in research.
The startups work could lead to medical breakthroughs and new healthcare solutions worldwide.
“It is an absolute honour to be selected as an Endeavor entrepreneur. We started 54gene to significantly improve the inclusion of African populations in global genomics research and I am glad to see our work is being recognised.”
Dr. Abasi Ene-Obong- Founder 54gene
The recent development continues what has been an impressive year for both companies, notably from a fundraising perspective.
Apollo Agriculture concluded a US$6 million Series A round back in June, while 54gene raised a US$15 million Series A round in April.
Endeavor Catalyst takes a unique position by curating the investment process on both sides of the table.
To start, Endeavor Catalyst invests solely in the companies of Endeavor Entrepreneurs — these companies have successfully passed Endeavor’s rigorous selection process.
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