Kenya’s Pyramidia Ventures secures US$1.5M to grow climate-smart agri-tech startups

KENYA – Kenya’s Pyramidia Ventures has raised US$1.5 million to expand its portfolio of agri-tech startups focused on climate-smart solutions across Africa. 

The funding round includes US$1.3 million in capital from Dutch impact investor Triple Jump, alongside US$200,000 in technical assistance and business development support from the Dutch Good Growth Fund.

Pyramidia Ventures was founded in 2021 by Ruth Bertens, a former McKinsey consultant, and Joseph Rehmann, the founder of aquaculture firm Victory Farms. The venture studio was set up to build startups that address food security, sustainability, and carbon reduction.

Speaking about the funding, Bertens said, “This investment allows us to scale our model of creating and supporting agri-tech companies that make a direct difference in Africa’s food systems. Farmers and consumers across the continent need solutions that are practical, affordable, and climate-friendly.”

Since its launch, Pyramidia has produced startups that are already attracting attention. Among them is Stable Foods, which runs a subscription-based platform delivering irrigation services to smallholder farmers. 

Another venture, Womega, is working to streamline Africa’s fragmented fish supply chain. Afriprotein, also under Pyramidia, focuses on producing alternative proteins for human and animal nutrition.

Rehmann noted, “Our goal is to reduce the gap between good ideas and businesses that can scale. Many entrepreneurs struggle to get beyond the pilot stage, and that is where Pyramidia steps in.”

Triple Jump, the Dutch impact investor backing the studio, said the partnership aligns with its mission to grow businesses that tackle pressing global issues. 

A spokesperson from Triple Jump explained, “Pyramidia’s model gives startups the structure and support they need to thrive. We see strong potential for these companies to impact farmers and food security in Africa.”

The Dutch Good Growth Fund will provide technical support and capacity building to ensure the ventures grow with solid business practices.

Broader momentum in African agri-tech

The new funding reflects a broader trend of investment flowing into Africa’s agricultural sector. In 2024, several venture-backed agri-tech firms in Kenya and Nigeria secured capital to expand digital farming tools, irrigation technology, and sustainable protein production. 

Similar to Pyramidia’s Stable Foods, other irrigation-focused startups in East Africa have gained traction as farmers seek to protect their crops against erratic weather.

Industry analysts say this shows growing confidence from global investors in Africa’s ability to lead practical solutions for food security. By combining funding with technical support, projects such as Pyramidia are moving from ideas to enterprises with measurable impact.

As Bertens put it, “Africa has no shortage of entrepreneurs with big ideas. What is often missing is the bridge to scale those ideas into businesses that can sustain themselves and deliver value to farmers. This new investment takes us a step closer to that goal.”

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