Launched in Tunis in 2021, 216 Capital Ventures has emerged as one of Africa’s most dynamic seed-stage venture capital firms. With a mission centered on creating value for investors, startups, and the regional ecosystem, the firm has carved out a unique niche by bridging African opportunities with diaspora talent from Europe and the Middle East. Backed by a $9.6 million Fund I, 216 Capital combines global perspectives with local execution, fueling scalable innovation across the continent.
Founding Vision and Leadership
At the core of 216 Capital’s DNA is Partner and Founder Dhekra Khelifi, an innovation expert with more than 12 years of experience leading digital transformation programs and startup ecosystems across telecom, electronics, and open innovation. She has supported over 50 entrepreneurs and helped 20+ startups secure markets and funding across Tunisia, Europe, and Africa. Alongside her, Principal Investment Manager Hassen Arfaoui brings analytical and investment expertise, enabling the lean team to punch far above its weight.
Investment Thesis and Strategy
216 Capital is focused squarely on seed-stage investments, writing tickets between $100,000 and $250,000. Its strategy is defined by supporting international founders from the diaspora to build in Africa, with Tunisia serving as both a launchpad and a hub of competitive talent. By encouraging startups to establish entities locally, the firm unlocks synergies between European, Middle Eastern, and African markets, driving job creation and regional integration. With 15–20 portfolio companies in Fund I, the firm is sector-agnostic, betting on high-potential startups across HRTech, LegalTech, TravelTech, RetailTech, Logistics, and Energy.
Geographic Expansion and Portfolio Diversity
Though headquartered in Tunisia, 216 Capital’s reach spans multiple African and international markets, reflecting its diaspora-first thesis. Its growing portfolio includes companies such as Addovate (Artificial Intelligence), Talenteo (HRTech), Juridoc (LegalTech), Arcube (TravelTech), Winshot (RetailTech), Logidoo (Logistics), and Wattnow (Energy). This breadth highlights the firm’s belief in Africa’s untapped potential and its readiness to back solutions addressing critical needs across industries.
With a lean structure, a diaspora-driven thesis, and a growing portfolio across diverse sectors, 216 Capital Ventures has established itself as one of Africa’s most forward-looking early-stage VCs. Its combination of capital, operational know-how, and ecosystem building sets it apart from larger, less agile players. As it scales beyond Tunisia, the firm is positioned to play a pivotal role in shaping Africa’s next generation of breakout companies—one diaspora-powered investment at a time.