AFRICA COHORT

2XI GP Sprint

The 2XI GP Sprint is a 6-month programme focused on supporting women-led or gender-diverse fund managers with gender smart investing strategies across the African continent to better position themselves for a successful fundraising journey with their investment vehicles.

Applications are now closed. The 2024 cohort will be announced soon.

In partnership with:

2X Ignite is launching an acceleration programme for 7-10 women-led or gender-diverse fund managers with gender smart investing strategies across the African continent (with a preference for fund managers based and investing in Sub-Saharan Africa). The GP Sprint is not a typical accelerator or a traditional capacity-building programme. It is designed in a very hands-on and practical way to essentially accelerate the GPs in real time on their fundraising journey to a first or subsequent close.

The programme will run from the end of April until early November 2024.

All GPs will be selected by a team of representatives from 2X Global, fund investors and fund investment experts based on an online application process and personal interviews.

 2XI GP Sprint

Acceleration Programme

Selected participants will work on bespoke and practical actions to expedite their timeline to a first close. Throughout the programme, they will work hands-on with experts and strategic advisors who will bring in candid LP perspectives and provide concrete feedback to tackle their respective priorities. The programme is designed for 7-10 participants, structured across 6-months featuring the following content:

  • 8 sessions at 2 to 4-week intervals, the programme consists of live workshops, advisory sessions, practical project work on the 2X Ignite Digital Academy (asynchronously; with direct relevance to the GP’s work on her fund), and targeted LP meetings. 

  • In each session time interval, participants are expected to dedicate 3 hours to live sessions + 6 hours to practical project work + 10-20 hours to LP meetings.

  • Strategic advisory sessions -  24 hours of 1:1 sessions with industry experts will be held throughout the programme to support the progress of the selected participants.

  • The selected participants will also be hosted for 1-2 in-person meetings where they will be able to engage with relevant LPs in the ecosystem and participate in practical workshops.

  • In-person event and workshop around the AVCA conference

Selection Criteria

  • Women-led or gender-diverse fund managers; for multiple partner teams, at least one woman partner (understood as a founding partner with a shareholding in the General Partnership, Chief Investment Officer or Investment Director) who is part of the decision making for the vehicle, and women representing at least 30% of the overall team beyond marketing, human resources or investor relations roles

  • GPs based in and looking to deploy an investment strategy focused on the African continent (with a preference for investment strategies focusing on Sub-Saharan Africa) 

  • Applying the 2X Criteria across the investment cycle, or committed to adopting a gender smart investment strategy 

  • Open to VC, PE and innovative finance, both traditional structures and alternative vehicles

  • Tier 2, 3 and 4 GPs:

    • Tier 2 = Launched the fund with a thesis and investment strategy defined, started to build a pipeline of both LPs and potential investees

    • Tier 3 = Raised some capital for the fund and/or deal(s) completed

    • Tier 4 = First close achieved or deals completed, looking to achieve final close

Expectations

  • Time commitment and perseverance during the 6-month programme from April to November 2024

  • Motivated and open to constructive feedback from an LP perspective and positive energy to do the work needed and implement top priority actions towards a first close.

2X Ignite GP Sprint Team

The programme will be run by Christian Rangen of Strategy Tools & Link VC, Marijn Wiersma, Elena Haba and Alyanna Carrion of 2X Global, along with a team of LP investment professionals from across 2X member institutions and a group of selected fund investment experts as strategic advisors.

VERY IMPORTANT!

The 2XI GP Sprint is a standalone programme and is NOT linked to a future 2X Ignite investment facility or any expectations of funding. Selection for the facility will be a separate process. 

Calling industry experts, connectors and coaches:

We are looking for strategic advisors to support the GPs throughout different parts of the Programmes and to equip the GPs with practical knowledge, advice and support to bring their funds closer to a first or next close.