Madica backs two new AI startups, partners with ABAN to strengthen Africa’s early-stage ecosystem
Madica, a structured investment program for pre-seed African startups, has expanded its portfolio with two new Artificial Intelligence (AI) companies: Anavid (Tunisia) and Hypeo AI (Morocco), as part of its broader mission to empower underrepresented founders and strengthen early-stage startup ecosystems across the continent.
Each company will receive up to $200,000 in funding and join Madica’s 18-month structured support program, which offers a tailored curriculum, hands-on mentorship, executive coaching, and two fully-funded immersion trips to key technology hubs both within Africa and internationally.
Beyond capital, the startups will also gain access to Madica’s global investor network, positioning them for accelerated growth, cross-border expansion, and long-term sustainability.
Commenting on the new portfolio companies, Emmanuel Adegboye, head of Madica, said, “At Madica, we believe and continue to prove that some of the world’s most transformative ideas come from places that are too often ignored. The founders we’ve just welcomed are visionaries, building solutions with the power to uplift communities and shape industries. We’re proud to stand with them as they take on the next stage of their journey.”
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Launched in 2022 and affiliated with Flourish Ventures, a global early-stage investor focused on inclusive innovation, Madica is a sector-agnostic program designed to address structural gaps in Africa’s startup ecosystem — from limited access to capital and investors to the lack of structured mentorship and founder support.
The program has distinguished itself by intentionally backing founders from underserved regions and overlooked sectors, helping to decentralize the concentration of Africa’s venture funding often seen in a few markets and verticals.
AI-driven innovation from North Africa
The two new portfolio startups showcase Africa’s growing influence in global AI innovation.
Anavid, co-founded by Ahmed Chaari and David Nilsson in Tunisia, is an AI-powered solution that integrates seamlessly with existing retail security cameras to reduce shoplifting losses and improve customer experience. The platform uses computer vision technology to detect unusual behavior in real time, giving retailers smarter insights into operations and loss prevention.
Meanwhile, Hypeo AI, based in Morocco and founded by Meriam Bessa and Salah Eddine Mimouni, is an AI-driven SaaS platform that automates every step of influencer marketing — from brand-creator matching and content validation to payment processing.
“Our region is rapidly growing with creative energy, but without the right digital backbone, it often goes untapped. We are changing that by using AI to reimagine how brands and creators find each other, collaborate, and thrive. Backing by Madica will help us strengthen our AI capabilities to achieve this goal,” said Meriam Bessa, co-founder and CEO of Hypeo AI.
Partnering with ABAN to expand investment flow
In addition to the new AI investments, Madica also announced a strategic partnership with the African Business Angel Network (ABAN) to deepen collaboration among investors and expand the flow of early-stage capital across the continent.
The partnership, unveiled during the ABAN Annual Congress in Lagos, will enable both parties to share deal flow, explore co-investment opportunities, and support future fundraises for Madica portfolio companies. The goal is to connect angel investors with institutional capital, creating a stronger funding continuum for African startups.
“The future of Africa’s innovation economy depends on how effectively we can mobilise local capital and empower local investors. Our collaboration with Madica helps bridge the gap between angel investors and institutional capital, ensuring that more funding comes from within the continent, and that startups everywhere in Africa can access the right type of support to scale,” said Yemi Keri, president of ABAN.
A growing portfolio and gender diversity focus
Madica began the year by investing in category-defining startups such as Medikea, Daleela, Pixii Motors, and ToumAI, while reinforcing its commitment to gender diversity and geographical inclusion in Africa’s tech ecosystem.
Through its program pillars: growth, governance, founder well-being, and fundraising, Madica provides comprehensive support for founders to scale responsibly and sustainably. Its immersion trips also expose startups to global best practices and new investor networks, helping them refine their business models and governance frameworks.
Madica continues to scout new investment opportunities across Africa and has invited startups to pitch through its website. Eligible startups must have a minimum viable product (MVP), ideally with paying customers, a full-time founder commitment, limited prior institutional funding, and African leadership.
