Launched in Casablanca in 2018, EmergingTech Ventures (Emtech VC) has emerged as one of Francophone Africa’s most disciplined early-stage venture capital players. With a mission rooted in backing “visionary founders,” the firm’s unique blend of seed capital and operational support has already borne fruit: Emtech closed its first fund at $24M, made eight investments, and recorded one exit. Today, with more than $70 million in assets under management and a second fund in motion, the firm is positioning itself as a key player in the region.
Founding Vision and Leadership
At the helm of Emtech VC is Meriem Zairi Tlemçani, Managing Partner and the driving force behind the firm’s transformation from SEAF’s Morocco activities into one of the region’s first independent VC funds. With a 20+ year career across Europe and Africa in private equity, infrastructure, and venture, Zairi combines capital markets expertise with hands-on operational insight. Supporting her are Partners Sidi Mohamed Zakraoui and Abdelouahid Benlamlih, both based in Casablanca. Zakraoui brings experience from Endeavor and BearingPoint with a focus on deeptech and B2B enterprise software, while Benlamlih’s background spans private equity, healthcare, and fintech. Together, this lean team of fewer than ten professionals delivers a pragmatic, execution-first approach to scaling companies.
Investment Thesis and Strategy
Emtech VC is squarely focused on seed, pre-Series A, and Series A opportunities. The firm typically writes first cheques between $500K and $3 million, with reserves for follow-ons. Its investment thesis is clear: back relentlessly driven founders solving systemic challenges with scalable, tech-enabled business models. Fund I emphasized seeding Morocco-based startups, while Fund II accelerates validated models across Francophone Africa. The strategy combines capital with hands-on guidance in areas like governance, IP, enterprise readiness, and strategic partnerships, helping founders scale faster and smarter.
Geographic Expansion and Sector Diversity
Though rooted in Casablanca, Emtech’s reach spans Morocco, Tunisia, Francophone Africa, and the European diaspora. Its portfolio companies highlight this breadth: Spore Bio (biotech, France), Docline (digital health, Spain), Unissey (biometrics, France), SOWIT (precision agritech, Morocco/France), Afdal (HRTech), Mazma (fintech), Edukaty (edtech), and Twinguide (digital services). Sector focus reflects Africa’s digital transformation arc, spanning fintech, insurtech, enterprise software, AI/data, healthtech, agritech, and cleantech. This deliberate diversification balances regional priorities with global innovation trends.
Recent Moves
Momentum has continued strongly into 2024. In October 2024, Emtech launched Fund II (EVF II), backed by returning LPs and new institutional investors, targeting $60 million (hard cap $80 million). The fund will invest in 15–20 startups, with tickets from $500,000 to $3 million, across healthtech, biotech, fintech, agritech, and cybersecurity.
With a lean but deeply experienced team, a cross-sectoral and cross-border portfolio, and growing institutional backing, EmergingTech Ventures stands as one of Francophone Africa’s most consistent early-stage VCs. Its blend of capital and operational involvement provides founders not only with funding but also with the tools to scale sustainably. As it enters its next phase with Fund II, Emtech is poised to shape the region’s next wave of globally relevant startups.