African venture capital talent network Dream VC has selected 54 fellows from 22 countries into the 2023 cohort of its flagship VC accelerator programme, which helps current and aspiring investors to break into the African venture space.
Founded in 2021, Dream VC has trained more than 80 African and Africa-focused investment professionals in three successive cohorts, many of whom are currently leading and operating in different investment roles for leading African venture and tech firms.
Its yearly remote venture capital fellowship programmes “Launch into VC” and “Investor Accelerator (IA)” provide the launchpads for aspiring and current investors to break into the African venture space, with an extensive curriculum, practical training and direct exposure to world-class investors.
Dream VC has now announced the 54 participants in the latest IA programme, which is a comprehensive course for experienced professionals, existing investors, and senior operators who aspire to be future ecosystem builders in Africa. Alumni from the program have gone on to join firms collectively managing US$1.1 billion in assets under management, and hold important decision-making roles within VC and PE firms to help drive millions of dollars of investment into African startups.
With a programme acceptance rate of 12 per cent, the application process to join the ranks of the community is highly competitive and discerning. This year’s cohort doubled in size to accommodate 54 fellows from 22 nationalities globally. It is the first cohort ever to have an East African majority, with Kenyans accounting for a strong 15 per cent of the cohort, while 43 per cent of the cohort identifies as female.
Several fellows are hailing from ecosystems that are being represented in Dream VC for the first time, such as Botswana, Algeria, Somaliland, and Burundi. A full list of participants is available here.
