AAIC Investment announces a Second Round of Funding to African-focused Startups AAIC Investment Pte. Ltd., a Japanese investment firm based in Singapore, recently announced the first Closing of Africa Innovation & Healthcare Fund VCC –AHF2, its second fund focused on investing in African startups. AHF 2 will invest and continue to accept subscriptions until reaching its goal of USD 150 millions. Asahi Intecc Co., Ltd, Eisai Inc., Ohara Pharmaceuticals, among other notable Japanese trading companies, were among the first to invest in the AHF2. Partech research shows that African start-ups have generated USD 5.24 billion in funding by 2021. This is a significant increase on the income from Japanese start-ups. AHF2 is focused on healthcare. This is a key SDG Goal (3–3), and is a sector that has seen rapid development in the areas of telemedicine, AI-led diagnosis and telemedicine as a result the Coronavirus epidemic. Fintech’s products and services are also important in accelerating the growth of healthcare. AAIC Investment’s Africa Healthcare Fund (AHF1) was launched in 2017. It is the first Africa-focused fund. The fund has supported the growth of 30 start-ups and invested in them, totaling USD 47 million. Chipper Cash (a fintech start up), was one of the fund’s portfolio companies and became a unicorn in 2021. AHF1 became Japan’s first VC to be based in Kenya in 2015. Two additional offices were opened by the investment manager in Nigeria and South Africa by AHF1 in December 2020, and March 2022, respectively. It is also working to open an office in Egypt. Nearly 74 percent of all African start up investments will be made in Africa by Kenya, Nigeria and Egypt (Partech) by 2021. AAIC Investment is expanding its operations to all African countries with the launch of AHF2. Startups are the backbone for the African economy and stand to greatly benefit from these funds. Startups will receive the necessary funding while also contributing significantly to the continent’s economic growth. fund’s name: Africa Innovation and Healthcare Fund (AIF) (AHF2) These countries are Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya. Intentioned sectors: Healthcare and medical sectors as well as technology-driven businesses in other areas of social infrastructure such as finance, logistics, and insurance. Stages of investmentSerie A and Series B Investments Price range of ticketsPrices from $5 Million to $50 Million