By 
By Osasómé C.O and Matthew Shotola
Pioneering Innovation in Africa: Antler’s First Media Roundtable in Lagos
Antler Lagos recently hosted its inaugural media engagement and LOS1 Portfolio Unveiling in Lagos, marking a pivotal moment for the global venture capital firm’s operations in Africa. This event celebrated innovation, resilience, and the launch of transformative solutions led by exceptional African founders.
RELATED: TICAD 9: Nigerian women innovators shine as Japan, Nigeria unveil co-creation startup initiative
The highlight of the gathering was the unveiling of three pace-setting startups. They include Cubbes, Raba, and Forti Foods – all nurtured through Antler’s first Lagos cohort (LOS1).
Why This Matters for Nigeria and Africa’s Startup Ecosystem
Antler’s entry into Nigeria represents more than just another VC firm setting up shop. It positions Nigeria and Africa as prime hubs for early-stage startup innovation, offering capital, mentorship, and global connections to build scalable, impactful companies from the ground up.
By creating a structured support system for idea-stage entrepreneurs, Antler is catalyzing a new wave of economic empowerment, digital transformation, and job creation across the continent.
Inside LOS1: Meet the First Three Portfolio Companies
Cubbes: Revolutionizing Digital Learning in Africa
Founders: Peter Adeyemi (CEO), Emmanuel Akinyele (CTO)
Sector: EdTech, Digital Education Africa
Cubbes is transforming higher education for African students through an AI-driven platform that consolidates study materials, flashcards, smart planners, and personalized learning tools. Since launching in 2024, it has supported over 50,000 students across 100+ institutions in Nigeria and Uganda, delivering over 50% improvement in academic performance for its users.
Cubbes’ innovative ambassador program—powered by class representatives—ensures up-to-date learning materials are accessible in real-time, making it a flagbearer for localized, scalable EdTech in Africa.
“This structure allows them to get timely information on new courses. [It ensures] updated learning materials are made available to students promptly,” said Adeyemi.
Forti Foods: Reinventing Institutional Feeding Across Africa
Founder: Adenike Adekunle
Sector: Agritech, Food Security, Institutional Nutrition
Forti Foods is redefining institutional meals with fortified, culturally inspired, ready-to-eat meals that require no cooking or refrigeration. The company is supplying nutritious meals to defence agencies, humanitarian programs, and institutional feeding schemes. Its production capacity is poised to exceed one million meals annually.
The company recently expanded into retail through its “Chops by Forti Foods” line, while maintaining a commitment to safety, nutrition, and cultural relevance. Products include jollof rice, fried rice, porridge beans, and ‘tuwo shinkafa’, all with a shelf life of up to 12 months.
“Forti Foods follows global safety standards and its products have undergone several safety assessments,” said Adekunle.
Raba: Empowering SMEs Through Lease-to-Own Equipment Financing
Founders: Opeyemi Bolarinwa, Bolarinwa Kazeem (CEO)
Sector: Fintech, SME Financing, Industrial Tech
Raba enables equipment dealers to offer embedded financing to SMEs across sectors like manufacturing and food processing. The platform helps small businesses own essential equipment via lease-to-own financing, bridging liquidity gaps and enhancing industrial productivity.
“The company shifted its business model from B2C to B2B during the 8-week intensive program with Antler,” Bolarinwa stated.
After refining its model from B2C to B2B, Raba is now building a robust dealer and partner network. This will enable it to scale across Africa. The name “Raba,” derived from local slang for money, reflects its core mission: unlocking financial access for African businesses.
Antler’s Impact: Catalyzing Africa’s Early-Stage Startup Ecosystem
Since launching in Lagos, Antler Africa has established itself as a critical player in the continent’s startup ecosystem. With operations in Lagos (Nigeria) and Nairobi (Kenya), Antler is helping visionary founders across Africa to transform bold ideas into scalable, investment-ready ventures.
Key Milestones in 2025:
- Over 20,000 applications reviewed across Lagos and Nairobi
- 38 founders supported from diverse industries
- 7 portfolio companies invested in this year
- More than $700,000 in pre-seed funding committed
- 42% female founder participation, advancing diversity and inclusion
“Antler is industry-agnostic and committed to funding innovative ideas regardless of sector. We are building category-defining companies and positioning Africa as a global leader in early-stage tech innovation,” said Lola Masha, Partner at Antler, during the event.
Looking Ahead: LOS2 and the Future of Startup Acceleration in Africa
With the next Lagos cohort (LOS2) in the pipeline, Antler aims to expand support to even more high-potential African founders. The program will continue to offer capital, expert mentorship, global exposure, and an inclusive platform for idea-stage founders to thrive.
Antler’s presence in Africa is a strong signal to global investors, policymakers, and ecosystem players that the next wave of global innovation can — and will — be built from Africa.
A New Era for Nigeria’s Startup Ecosystem
Antler’s LOS1 unveiling isn’t just about three startups — it’s about creating a repeatable model for startup success in Nigeria and beyond. With strong backing, strategic vision, and a global network, Antler is unlocking Africa’s full entrepreneurial potential. The strategic push is fostered round one founder, one idea, and one startup at a time.
