54 Collective Unveils Its New Operating Model

Following its recent rebrand, 54 Collective has now officially transitioned from an accelerator to a fully fledged venture capital firm.

Since 2018, the company has deployed nearly $6 million to Kenyan entrepreneurs, highlighting the firm’s deep commitment to the country’s burgeoning startup scene. Kenya stands out as a crucial player in Africa’s venture capital ecosystem due to its thriving tech environment, strong infrastructure, supportive government policies, and a skilled talent pool.

54 Collective’s impact is already evident in the successes of several Kenyan startups. BuuPass, for example, has revolutionised the inter-city transport industry by digitising ticketing systems, making travel more accessible and organised. Since joining 54 Collective’s portfolio in 2022, BuuPass has served over 16 million passengers, covered more than 800 routes, and supported 1,250 buses in operation. The startup’s growth illustrates the power of 54 Collective’s combined financial and strategic support.

To support aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), 54 Collective provides entrepreneurs in Kenya and newly in South Africa and Nigeria with the ability to engage with entrepreneurship as a career path, have access to needed knowledge and resources, and accelerate their entrepreneurship journey through the Entrepreneur Academy by 54 Collective. Its mission is simple, to make entrepreneurship accessible to all.

It offers two distinct initiatives: Explore, a digital platform providing essential knowledge and tools to help entrepreneurs turn ideas into businesses, and the Business Support Accelerator, a 12-week programme designed to accelerate SME growth and foster a community of like-minded entrepreneurs. Through these initiatives, 54 Collective is dedicated to making entrepreneurship more accessible and creating jobs across Africa.

54 Collective is committed to building a thriving ecosystem that propels local startups to new heights while driving growth and innovation across all 54 African countries. We invite ambitious entrepreneurs and forward-thinking investors in Kenya and beyond to join 54 Collective in shaping the future of African entrepreneurship. With our new operating model, the opportunities to scale businesses and create lasting impact are unmatched—now is the time to be part of this transformative journey.