Participated · Seed · Oct 2021

Ejara provides a mobile investment app that lets users buy, sell, exchange and store crypto using non‑custodial wallets and access tokenized savings products such as government bonds. The company recently launched a savings product that tokenizes government bonds and enables users to deposit as little as 1,000 CFA franc (~$1.5) and earn up to 10% interest on two‑year deposits. Ejara serves Francophone Africa (starting in Cameroon) and supports cross‑border transactions via stablecoins, and it obtained a license to extend offerings to the French‑speaking diaspora in Europe. The startup has pursued financial education initiatives to boost adoption, targeting women, girls and other underserved groups, and plans to expand its product suite — including a yet‑to‑launch fractional investing product — toward becoming a one‑stop financial app. Operating metrics cited in the articles include growth from 8,000 users last October to more than 70,000 users across nine Francophone African countries, 10x revenue growth and 15% month‑on‑month transaction volume growth since last October. Ejara positions itself as a web3‑focused contender against traditional asset managers by prioritizing user key ownership and accessibility. Ejara was founded by Nelly Chatue-Diop with cofounder Baptiste Andrieux to build a blockchain-based mobile investment platform for Francophone Africa. The product issues non-custodial wallets that let users securely buy, sell, exchange and store crypto assets. Ejara partners with MoonPay to enable remittances and serves more than 8,000 users across Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, Senegal and francophone Africans in the diaspora. The company reports initial traction was achieved with zero marketing budget and classifies users as savers planning for the future and business customers who transact frequently. Ejara plans to expand into other asset classes including fractional shares, stocks and commodities. The startup intends to use its recent seed funding to drive growth, deploy roadmap features and expand its product and tech teams.

Participated · Series A · Sep 2021

Blackbird.AI builds an AI-powered Narrative Intelligence Platform that identifies harmful narratives, the influencers pushing them, the networks they spread through, and the anomalous behaviors that amplify them. By mapping this information in real time, the tool enables Global 2000 companies and national security organizations to take proactive steps against financial, operational, reputational, and even physical threats. The company reports rapid commercial traction, citing 118 % year-over-year growth in annual recurring revenue. Led by CEO and co-founder Wasim Khaled, Blackbird.AI has raised $58 million in total capital since inception. The latest investment will be used to accelerate go-to-market activities and further enhance the platform’s capabilities. With growing demand for disinformation defense solutions, the firm is positioning itself as a key partner for large enterprises and government agencies.