Johannesburg: AfricUpdate – News Desk
TLcom Capital‘s $5 million pre-seed fund, TAPSI (TIDE Africa Pre-Seed Investments), has now deployed half of its capital, reaching a key milestone in its mission to nurture early-stage African tech ventures. The fund’s most recent investment is in TurnStay, a South African travel payment platform that recently secured a $2 million seed round.
Launched in 2022, TAPSI provides up to $200,000 in funding to pre-seed ventures, offering not only capital but also access to TLcom’s extensive global network and more than two decades of experience in African venture investing. This strategic fund also acts as a vital stepping stone for promising startups, serving as a direct feeder for TLcom’s larger $154 million TIDE Africa Fund II for follow-on rounds.
The fund’s portfolio is diverse, with investments in startups like Talstack in Nigeria, Bright Financial in Sudan and Ethiopia, and Tradehub in Egypt. TAPSI also supports female-led ventures through a collaboration with First Check Africa, highlighting a commitment to inclusive growth. With half of its capital already deployed, TAPSI aims to finalize up to 10 more pre-seed investments by the end of 2026, targeting Africa’s major innovation hubs and diverse founding teams. This multi-stage investment approach solidifies TLcom’s role in the African funding ecosystem, recognizing the critical role of early-stage capital in a startup’s growth trajectory.
