Startups across Africa are being invited to participate in new research aiming to compile the biggest dataset on the performance of African growth ventures to date.
This year’s “Venture Finance in Africa” report, to be conducted by VC4Africa, marks the third consecutive year data is to be gathered from African startups.
Startups are asked to fill out a 10 minute online survey, with the resulting report to publish aggregate data on growth, job creation, capital investments, revenue and profit generation, economic, social and environmental impact, and influencers.
The researchers say the report will serve to spur early stage investment in Africa, and influence the continent’s policy makers.
“[In] the past years VC4Africa only surveyed entrepreneurs part of its own online community, but this year the research team is reaching out to all entrepreneurs across Africa, inviting ecosystem players to help reach startup founders in their local ecosystems”, says research lead Thomas van Halen.
“The more early stage ventures can be reached, the more evidence will be gathered on progress in Africa’s startup communities. Our ambition is to change the world’s perception of business and innovation in Africa by unlocking quality information to the market”.
The survey is live until October 25, and all entrepreneurs who participate in the study will receive a copy of the final report.
“The research initiative aims to empower entrepreneurs with the tools they need to benchmark their performance and the investors with the tools to understand the market and make informed decisions”, says Ben White, co-founder of VC4Africa.
Disrupt Africa reported in December last year VC4Africa published the previous edition of its African Venture Finance research; which found total capital invested in African startups reached US$26.9 million in 2014, up from US$12 million in 2013.
The research also put the average amount invested per venture at US$200,000; and reported 44 per cent of registered ventures are successful in securing external capital investment.
However, this data was gathered from only those startups listed on the VC4Africa portal.
Disrupt Africa estimates the value of capital invested in Africa in 2014 to be closer to US$500 million.
