First Minute Capital

Firstminute Capital is a seed stage venture capital firm based in London, founded in 2017 by Spencer Crawley and Brent Hoberman. According to its official website, the firm manages several hundred million dollars in assets and positions itself as the first institutional cheque into European founders building global technology companies. It is supported by a large network of unicorn founders and strategic investors, and focuses on partnering early with ambitious founding teams. In Africa, Firstminute Capital has been active primarily at the seed and Series A stages, with investments recorded between February 2021 and January 2025. Based on available data, the firm has backed seven funding rounds in African startups, with a focus on fintech and e commerce and retail. Its African portfolio includes companies such as Stitch in South Africa, Thndr and axis in Egypt, and Kapu in Kenya. These investments indicate a geographic focus on South Africa, Kenya, and Egypt, and a sector focus on digital financial services and technology enabled consumer commerce. Through its African activity, Firstminute Capital often participates alongside a diverse set of global and regional co investors. These include other venture capital firms, foundations, and individual investors, reflecting a collaborative approach to building early stage ecosystems. The firm’s role as a seed and early growth partner aligns with its broader strategy of backing technology founders early and supporting them as they scale internationally.