A group of experienced international business, Angel Investment angels and women investors from Africa, Europe and the USA have come together with ARM Securities Ltd. and ARM Trustees Ltd. to create “Rising Tide Africa”, (RTA) a unique, trans-border women-oriented investment program and funded by private investors who believe they will bring about positive change by investing in the continent’s exciting start-ups and next generation to create a New Africa. The investments will range from 50 K USD to 500 K USD but always with the goal of bringing about a positive change.
Rising Tide Africa will be powered by ARM Securities Limited and ARM Trustees Limited, both members of the ARM Group which have been leading investments in entrepreneurial ventures and are dedicated to bringing about a better Africa. In particular, ARM Securities will be bringing its financial advisory experience to help power “Rising Tide Africa” and will also share deal-flow on a case-by-case basis.
RTA shall be a leading and pre-eminent managed investment pool primarily focused on investments in digitally and technology-enabled companies. This will bring a quantitative as well as qualitative return to improving the lives and lifestyles on the African continent, by, for example, providing access to health, education, energy, water, agriculture, commerce, transport, and several communications services and infrastructure. RTA will also be actively involved in the promotion of investment literacy among women in Africa.
It is intended that RTA shall be a preferred equity partner in Africa and a first mover in technology and digitally-enabled, early-stage technology investing in most parts of Africa. RTA seeks to pursue investment opportunities that have the potential to yield strong financial returns and significant impact in Africa.
RTA seeks to offer women an opportunity to build a diversified portfolio of early-stage investments in innovative African companies as well as training opportunities for women to become sophisticated angel investors, and networking with other women in this one of a kind angel community.
Rising Tide Africa” is by far the most ambitious incarnation of the “Rising Tide/Next Wave” movement which aims to bring experienced women private angel investors together with experienced business and corporate women executives who are investing for the first time. The movement originally started in the USA in 2015, followed in quick succession one month later in Europe with Rising Tide Europe 1 and 2 and now Rising Tide Africa. Several of the Rising Tide Europe Board Members, Deal Leaders and LPs are involved in the setting up Rising Tide Africa.
The President of Rising Tide Africa is Dr Ndidi Nnoli Edozien (Nigeria) and the Board Members are Rebecca Enenchong (Cameroon), Evelyn Oputu (Nigeria), Hedda Pahlson-Moller (Sweden), Olayemi Wonuola Keri Crisc, (Nigerian), Clementine Vervelde (Rwanda), and Isabelle de Melo (Mauritius/Swiss) and a Representative from the ARM Group. The Investment Committee Members are Brigitte Baumann (Swiss), Candace Johnson (USA/France/Luxembourg), Audrey Mothupi (South Africa) and Lexi Novitske (USA/Nigeria). ARM Securities Ltd and ARM Trustees Ltd. will also be represented in the Investment Committee.
Quotes:
Dr Ndidi Nnoli Edozien, President of Rising Tide Africa: “It is my privilege to play a founding role inspiring this Movement of Investors from diverse backgrounds, co-investing with a shared vision to harness, develop, educate, mentor and network across borders, while nurturing scalable, replicable ventures that contribute to sustainable economic growth across our great continent Africa, most excitedly powered by some of the world’s most courageous Women.”
Jumoke Ogundare, Group CEO, Asset & Resource Management Holding Company Ltd.: “We are proud to be associated with the RTA and support its raison d’etre of bringing together women, innovation and business. This combination would undoubtedly stimulate economic growth in Africa.”
Tomi Davies, President ABAN: “We at ABAN are very happy to support such an innovative approach to investing on the continent. With RTA our women take their rightful place in contributing to the advancement of the African entrepreneurial ecosystem. I am proud that ABAN is able to help make this happen and commend the initiators of this laudable project.”
Candace Johnson, President EBAN: “It is an honour to work with ABAN, the ARM Group, and Go-Beyond to create ‘Rising Tide Africa’. We are looking forward to making great investments together which will bring about a ‘New Africa’.”
Brigitte Baumann, Founder and Chair of Go Beyond: “We are delighted to support RTA, the first of its kind learning and investing program leveraging the experience gained with the Rising Tide Europe programs. “
Who is ABAN?
The African Business Angel Network (ABAN) is a pan African non-profit association founded early 2015 to support the development of early stage investor networks across the continent and to get many more (early stage) investors excited about the opportunities in Africa.
Who is ARM Securities Ltd?
ARM Securities Limited is a limited liability company licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) as Issuing House and Broker-Dealer firm respectively. Formerly known as Hamilton Hammer, the Company commenced operations in 1994 and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Asset & Resource Management Traditional Asset Management Limited (ARMTAM) in 2008. ARM TAM is a member of the ARM Holding Company Limited, the largest, independent non-bank financial institution in Nigeria. Under ARM’s leadership, the Company has successfully been repositioned as a recognized financial advisory and brokerage firm in Nigeria.
Who is ARM Trustees Ltd?
ARM Trustees Limited (“ARMT”), incorporated in October 1997, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ARM Traditional Asset Management Limited (ARMTAM), a member of the Asset & Resource Management Holding Company Limited. Licensed by the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), ARMT was incorporated to carry out a wide range of trusteeship services to Public sector, Corporates, Institutional and Private clients. ARMT’s corporate trust services include trusteeship under Private Equity structures, Loan Syndication/Consortium, Project/Structured Finance, Collective Investment Schemes, and Debenture Trust arrangements. The Company also renders private trust and estate planning services.
Who is EBAN?
EBAN is the pan-European representative for the early stage investor gathering over 150 member organizations more than 50 countries today. Established in 1999 by a group of pioneer angel networks in Europe with the collaboration of the European Commission and EURADA, EBAN represents a sector estimated to invest 7.5 billion Euros a year and playing a vital role in Europe’s future, notably in the funding of SMEs. EBAN fuels Europe’s growth through the creation of wealth and jobs.
Who is Go Beyond?
Go Beyond Investing enables novice & experienced, small & large investors, to access angel investing as an asset class through its unique platform, portfolio tools, education and expert angels. Go Beyond operates in Europe and the US. It has been in the top 10 Swiss FinTech startups in 2015 and 2016. Go Beyond is managing the Rising Tide Europe 1 and 2 programs.
