Viktoria Ventures has been crowned the “Angel Network of the Year 2025” at the Africa Early-Stage Investor Summit (AESIS) in Cape Town, a flagship continental forum hosted by the African Business Angel Network (ABAN) and VC4A.
The award marks a defining moment for the pan-African angel investing organization and underscores the growing maturity of Africa’s early-stage investment landscape.
The recognition caps years of work by Viktoria Ventures to professionalize angel investing across the continent—building investor capacity, establishing support structures, and strengthening the community required to fuel African innovation.
“Our belief has always been simple: if Africa’s startup ecosystem is to thrive, angel investors must be empowered with the right tools, community support, and access to deal flow,” said Stephen Gugu, CEO of Viktoria Ventures. “This award validates our mission to build the network, capacity, and community that drives African innovation forward.”
In the run-up to the summit, Viktoria Ventures co-hosted the AESIS Nairobi Investor Meetup alongside Jasiri4Africa, Von Seidels, and the Nairobi Business Angel Network. The gathering attracted leading investors and ecosystem enablers, all focused on one central question:
How can local capital be mobilized to accelerate African innovation?
Discussions emphasized the need for deeper collaboration, aligned incentives, and shared responsibility to unlock local capital for early-stage ventures. The energy generated in Nairobi set the tone for the continental summit—culminating in the Cape Town award.
At the heart of Viktoria Ventures’ impact is the Angel Leads Program, delivered under the African Angel Academy (AAA). The initiative offers structured, practical training for both emerging and seasoned angel investors.
Key elements include a six-week self-paced curriculum, live masterclasses, mentorship, and technical support in deal structuring, diligence, and portfolio building. The program has already:
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Trained 22 angel investors,
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Supported the formation of the Moneva Syndicate, and
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Facilitated the syndicate’s investment in Afyalishe Wellness Ltd, a Kenyan functional foods company.
Through this program, Viktoria Ventures is strengthening localized investment networks and catalyzing community-led angel participation across Kenya and beyond.
Viktoria Ventures has steadily expanded its presence as one of Africa’s foremost angel development platforms. To date, the organization has:
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Trained 797 angel investors,
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Reached participants across 38 African countries,
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Delivered a comprehensive curriculum led by seasoned ecosystem leaders, and
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Built one of the most active early-stage investor communities on the continent.
Its alumni are increasingly shaping Africa’s investment landscape. Notably, AAA alumna Yemi Keri was elected President of ABAN, highlighting the program’s widespread influence.
To further enhance investor readiness and access to high-quality deal flow, Viktoria Ventures has also partnered with Africa: The Big Deal, giving AAA alumni priority access to curated investment opportunities.
Winning the “Angel Network of the Year” title signals a new chapter rather than a finish line. Viktoria Ventures says it remains committed to empowering bold early-stage investors who will chart the continent’s next wave of innovation.
The organization will launch AAA Cohort 13 in 2025, opening its doors to both new and experienced investors eager to join one of Africa’s most influential angel investing platforms.
