Temi Marcella built a career in the private equity space, but after beginning impact investing in Africa in 2017 she has supported over 200 companies across 25 countries on five continents.
Raised in the UK, Marcella began her career at Goldman Sachs during the global financial crisis, before pursuing an MBA at Stanford. Upon its completion, she joined PE firm The Abraaj Group, working across Dubai, London and, eventually, Lagos.
“After leaving Stanford and experiencing the innovative pulse of Silicon Valley, I became acutely aware of the transformative power of capital in driving key innovations, growth, and prosperity,” she said.
“When I relocated to Nigeria in 2015, I quickly recognised the critical role that entrepreneurship and technology needed to play in the country’s development, alongside the thriving talent poised to make a difference. The parallels between the Silicon Valley tech ecosystem and the emerging African tech landscape were evident, but so were the gaps. I saw an opportunity not just to invest in tech startups but to actively contribute to the evolution of the innovation ecosystem on the continent.”
Marcella started angel investing in 2017, and soon recognised the potential to scale this effort into a more structured angel syndicate – Kairos.
“This platform bridged my Silicon Valley networks with startups across Africa and Latin America, while also facilitating angel investments in the US,” she said.
Building on this momentum, Marcella partnered with MAGIC Fund, founded on the principle of “founders backing founders”, and the belief that innovation knows no borders.
“Since then, we’ve invested in over 200 companies across five continents and 25 countries, solidifying our commitment to global innovation and impact,” she said. African investments include Vendease, Nestcoin, Bamboo, Orda, Bumpa, and Moni.
Engaging with founders at the earliest stages across various markets, Marcella has observed striking similarities between emerging innovation ecosystems, particularly between Latin America and Africa.
“Our investment in a Brazilian farm-to-table tech company that rapidly scaled across Latin America significantly informed our investment thesis in Vendease, which is now one of the largest and fastest-growing food procurement platforms on the African continent,” she said.
“While innovation ecosystems differ in their stages of development, Africa, as one of the youngest, holds tremendous untapped potential.”
Recognising this, she founded Alcent Capital – a platform dedicated to mobilising capital behind innovative, growth-stage companies that are changing the world.
“Alcent leverages its global insights and networks to support nascent ecosystems, particularly in Africa, driving innovation and fostering the development of globally competitive businesses,” Marcella said. “By bringing together funds, family offices, and visionary entrepreneurs, Alcent Capital is committed to building the next generation of world-changing companies. Our mission is to harness the untapped potential in emerging markets and transform industries worldwide.”
In addition to capital, Marcella and Alcent bring a wealth of experience in building and scaling operations from the ground up in emerging markets.
“My background includes serving as a regional lead for significant funds such as TPG Capital and The Rise Fund’s US$1 billion impact fund. I have experience in bringing companies to market, transforming investments and driving growth across Africa and Asia. This experience has equipped me with a unique combination of deep local expertise, paired with my global best-in-class training and network, empowering the founders I work with to take their ventures from inception to success,” Marcella said.
This operational expertise is particularly crucial in markets where passive investment models often fall short.
“In these environments, the challenges of scaling businesses require more than just financial backing – they demand a hands-on approach that provides founders with the support they need to navigate complex landscapes,” she said.
“My approach is focused on actively partnering with founders, offering strong governance, strategic guidance, operational insights, and the capital resources necessary to effectively build and scale their companies. By working closely with founders, I help them overcome the hurdles unique to emerging markets, ensuring that their ventures are not only innovative but also resilient and poised for long-term success.”
Investing in Africa, she said, offers an exciting opportunity due to the wealth of innovation emerging from the continent, even in the face of challenging conditions.
“As Africa continues to develop its talent pool, improve its infrastructure, and address regulatory challenges, it is well-positioned to become a major player in the global tech landscape. The success of Africa’s tech ecosystem is ultimately a catalyst for future growth and development on the continent and the potential for both impact and growth is immense,” said Marcella.
However, passive investment models often fall short in this market. Success requires investors who are not only financially committed but also operationally hands-on, actively engaging with and supporting founders as they build and scale their ventures.
“Additionally, access to global networks is crucial, given the capital constraints on the continent. The future of the continent’s tech ecosystem will ultimately depend on its ability to attract and retain top talent, develop a robust exit market, and foster a supportive regulatory environment,” she said.
Capital constraints have only gotten greater recently, given the way the current global capital shortage has disproportionately affected African founders. Marcella says factors such as an over-reliance on “tourist investors”, higher perceived risks, and an adverse macroeconomic backdrop have exacerbated the situation.
“These challenges have made it increasingly difficult for promising African companies to secure the necessary funding to scale,” she said.
“However, there are some early signs of improvement. The reopening of IPO markets in the US and potential interest rate cuts on the horizon could signal an increase in risk appetite, which would be favourable for private risk capital. These developments suggest that while the global capital environment remains challenging, there may be emerging opportunities for growth-stage companies.”
This moment, she said, calls for a rethinking of growth strategies, adapting to the new global landscape, and focusing on sustainable value creation that delivers tangible returns to investors.
“The current circumstances have highlighted the importance of discipline – both for founders and investors – presenting unique opportunities for ecosystem builders,” Marcella said.
“Prioritising sustainable business models and promoting greater discipline and resilience will not only strengthen individual companies but also contribute to the long-term stability and growth of the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem. In this evolving landscape, the emphasis is shifting towards creating businesses that are not only innovative but also resilient and capable of delivering real, realisable value for investors. This shift will help ensure that the ecosystem remains robust, even in the face of global economic uncertainties.”
And what for Marcella as the investment landscape evolves? She says she retains her commitment to supporting the founders across her portfolio, and will also be leveraging her network of partners to unlock new funding solutions and market opportunities for these companies.
“Having spent nearly a decade building and scaling businesses and platforms across the African continent, my recent return to the UK marks a significant full-circle moment in my career. This transition coincides with a pivotal time in the global funding landscape, where I am well-positioned to apply the insights and experience I’ve gained over the years to help build the next generation of successful, technology-enabled companies,” she said.
“I am particularly passionate about building bridges between venture ecosystems and working with the diaspora, as well as innovators in the UK and the US, who are developing groundbreaking companies but often face challenges in securing funding. My goal is to leverage my experience to elevate these founders to a global stage, supporting the development of pioneering companies that will positively impact the world. I am driven by a vision of seeing more African and female-led ventures gain the global recognition and success they deserve. This mission is not just about fostering innovation but also about creating a more inclusive and diverse global entrepreneurial ecosystem.”
