P1 Ventures, a contrarian Pan-African VC firm, recently closed its first $50 million institutional fund, attracting investment from African conglomerates and global partners, including the World Bank’s IFC. The firm emphasizes innovative, capital-efficient African founders, capitalizing on the continent’s unique advantages in AI and fintech. Its proprietary database of over 10,000 companies supports its vision to identify and nurture promising startups. Notable investments include Morocco’s AI-based hotel platform Nuitee and Egypt’s gamified engagement platform Gameball. P1 Ventures aims to showcase African innovation on a global scale, having created over 6,000 jobs and impacting millions across 20 countries.