Building the Future of Finance
APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN
Your customers need capital to grow. You have the data to give it to them.
The Renew Venture Lab: EmFi Series is a program for tech founders building in Africa who are ready to integrate financial services—from embedded finance to alternative lending—directly into their platforms.
Apply by April 30 for early consideration.
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THE PROBLEM
The bank of the future is the phone in everyone's pocket.
Your startup is trusted by hundreds if not thousands of small business customers today. It holds valuable data that can be used in new ways to unlock growth. But how?
The evidence is clear: traditional banks have failed to serve small businesses in Africa.
Your business sit at an inflection point: you have the data to prove they your customers are worthy of credit. What do you do next?
The next generation of growth companies in Africa will be those that will integrate financial services into the apps they have built and their customers love.
THE PROGRAM
Build the product. Integrate the finance. Scale the impact.
Renew Venture Lab: Whether you're just exploring or already scaling financial integrations, the EmFi Series gives you the blueprint to succeed. We've combined self-paced learning with live insights from veteran practitioners to help you build a robust alternative lending offering and a winning embedded finance strategy.
The goal? To get you investment-ready. Founders who complete the series gain a direct path to potential funding from Renew Capital and our co-investors.
WHY THIS PROGRAM IS DIFFERENT
We are investors, not advisors.
Renew Capital has an active ground game across the continent, making investment decisions every day. We don't just teach you how to pitch; we show you exactly how we evaluate companies and what it takes to secure a deal.
The sessions are led by practitioners.
You will learn from experts who have built embedded finance products and managed lending books. These are operators who understand the technical and regulatory realities of African fintech.
We provide a clear path to capital.
This isn't just about networking. The program is built to prepare you for a formal investment consideration. Top-performing companies are shortlisted to pitch to our investment team for potential funding on a deal-by-deal basis.
We are a global network with local roots.
We provide access to experienced operators, subject matter experts and a network of founders across the continent and the diaspora. You gain the "ground game" insights needed to navigate complex operating environments.
WHAT YOU'LL WALK AWAY WITH
Diversify revenue from SaaS to financial services.
The EmFi Series is designed to move the needle on your product strategy and prepare your business for institutional scale. Through this program, you will:
- Future-Proof Your Strategy: Discover how AI is fundamentally changing the game for underwriting, risk assessment, and personalized financial services.
- Master Best Practices: Build a clear product roadmap using proven frameworks for developing and deploying seamless embedded financial services.
- Join an Elite Network: Connect with a community of like-minded founders and gain a direct route to engage with global investors who understand the EmFi space.
- Build a High-Conviction Data Room: Leave with a robust financial model, refined pitch materials, and a professional data room that meets strict investment criteria.
- Secure Growth Capital: Most importantly, gain the opportunity for direct investment from Renew Capital and our co-investors to fuel your expansion.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
You don’t need to be a fintech to build the future of finance.
- You are a founder of a B2B SaaS, fintech or data-driven platform serving SMEs in Africa.
- You have early traction and a clear path to scale.
- You don't necessarily need to be a "fintech" company, but you must be building a product that can integrate financial services to solve customer pain points.
Apply
Submit your application and access pre-program materials on how the investment process works and what investors expect.
Screening and Selection
Applications are reviewed through a structured screening process. Selected companies are invited to join the Venture Lab.
Venture Lab
Participants complete self-paced modules and attend live expert sessions. Progress is assessed through required deliverables and execution.
Shortlisting and Pitch
Top companies are selected to present to Renew Capital’s investment team.
Investment Consideration
Final companies are considered for investment following evaluation and due diligence.
We are looking for the next generation of financial infrastructure. Selected companies gain access to capital, expert insights and a global network.
Apply by April 30 for early consideration.