6
Portfolio Startups
Venture Studio
Building and Backing Africa's Next AI-First Startups from 0 - 1 in partnership with brazen entrepreneurs
$1M+
Invested
6.5X
MOIC
50%
YOY Growth
60+
Jobs Created
FirstFounders (F2) is an AI-first venture studio and dynamic ecosystem collective building, funding and scaling the transformative ideas of visionary African entrepreneurs into high-value, acquirable AI-driven ventures across key sectors like fintech, consumer and entertainment.
We are the architects of "tomorrow's ventures"dedicated to democratizing entrepreneurship, institutionalizing venture building and driving corporate innovation on the continent.
Why We Exist
Democratize Entrepreneurship
Making the path to building a business accessible to everyone.
Drive Corporate Innovation
Fostering the creation of ground breaking solutions for corporate growth.
Institutionalize Venture Building
Providing a structured and supportive framework for turning ideas into successful ventures.
Portfolio Companies
Backing Africa's Next
Generation Of Builders
Zurri AI
An AI agents and models market place
Clients' Portfolio
End - To - End
Venture Creation Service
The F2 Advantage
Why We Stand Out
Our unique value proposition is built on distinct differentiators:
Ground-Zero Idea-Stage Focus
We specialize in taking ambitious founders from the absolute idea stage to product-market fit, significantly de-risking ventures.
Hands-On Venture Building Expertise
We are active co-builders, providing dedicated in-house teams and operational support beyond traditional mentorship or capital injection.
Proprietary Playbook & Repeatable Success
Our proven "FirstFounders Venture Studio Playbook" drives higher success rates and accelerated paths to product-market fit.
Industry Specialization
Our focus on AI-driven tech ventures in emerging markets allows unparalleled expertise and network effects.
Comprehensive Ecosystem
Our integrated ecosystem collective and subunits create a holistic support system fostering continuous learning and value creation.
Scalable Technology & Infrastructure
Access to shared resources and custom infrastructure reduces costs and accelerates go-to-market.
Our Methodology
PPA Founder Acceleration Framework
FirstFounders Venture Studio employs the PPA Founder Acceleration Framework, developed by Zainab Aderinwale, to evaluate startup founders. The framework is structured around Passion, Problem, and Solution; assesses founder readiness, strategic alignment, and venture potential. Applied to multiple early-stage startups, it has contributed to successful product launches, investor readiness, and the securing of over $10 million in early-stage funding, establishing PPA as a standard methodology within FirstFounders.
Passion
Problem
Solution
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Join Our Community
Building Better Ventures, together. Welcome to F2nation.
As part of our venture building commitment, F2Nation is the ecosystem where your entrepreneurial journey takes flight. Connect with fellow builders, access vital resources, and tap into a network of experienced mentors.
We're fostering collaboration to provide the exact venture-building support you need to transform your ideas into impactful realities, driving the future of African innovation.
Our Team
An amazing team of venture builders and seasoned experts supporting founders to build for tomorrow
David Lare Messan
CEO | Founder
Samuel Kemeshi
Chief Marketing Officer
Jubril Oguntade
Chief Operations Officer
Mary Oko
Head Communication | Business Development
Ibukunoluwa Dada
Venture Studio Director
Fuhab Bakare
Community Director
Yusuf Yaru Umaru
Senior Research & Data Analyst
F2 Venture LaunchPad
A PAID venture-building program where we build for you using our proven venture studio playbook and practical execution support.
Who is it for?
- Busy professionals who want to build their own startup
- Corporate firms that want to build tech ventures
- SME leaders who want to transform their traditional business into a digital business
- Entrepreneurs who need our venture studio-styled support to build and scale their ventures
As Seen On
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Partners
Portfolio Investors
Awards & Recognition
2022 Business Day
Top Fastest Growing Company in Nigeria
Top 10 Magazine
Excellence Award for Startup Builder of 2022
2022 Culturati
Business Builder of The Year
UK CEO Monthly Magazine
2022 Builder of The Year
2023 Lagos Business School
Case Study Feature
2023 Global Entrepreneurship
Network Recognition Award
2022 Business Day
Top Fastest Growing Company in Nigeria
Top 10 Magazine
Excellence Award for Startup Builder of 2022
2022 Culturati
Business Builder of The Year
UK CEO Monthly Magazine
2022 Builder of The Year
2023 Lagos Business School
Case Study Feature
2023 Global Entrepreneurship
Network Recognition Award
Testimonial
Words From Founders & Partners
PocketLawyers has been fabulous! The team is young, energetic and brilliant! They pointed my team and I to grey areas we didn't even think about and preferred solutions. It has been an enlightening journey and they made it easy! I highly recommend them for your MVP build.
NN
Ngozi Nwabueze
PocketLawyers
Working with FirstFounders on my project, Syarpa has experienced the burgeoning value that FirstFounders brings to the table especially with fundraising and startup advisory. Our relationship is consistent and continuous. Thank you for your service. I highly recommend them!
AS
Adedapo Sodipo
Syarpa (Founder/CEO)
Partnering with an organization that shares our passion for supporting the growth of startups is a wholesome one, and that is how we describe our partnership with FirstFounders. FirstFounders commitment to providing an enabling environment for early stage startups is highly commendable.
HO
Hakeem Onasanya
Former Head, Startups - Lagos Innovates
From strategy to execution, FirstFounders has been intentional and practical. They helped us sharpen our model and move faster with better decisions.
AB
Amina Bello
Founder, FinScale
The support has been consistent and founder-friendly. We got clear guidance on growth, partnerships, and product milestones exactly when we needed it.
TA
Tobi Akinyemi
Co-founder, MarketGrid
Frequently Asked
Questions
FirstFounders (F2) is an AI-first venture studio and ecosystem collective that builds and backs early-stage, high-growth AI ventures across Africa. We offer end-to-end support to transform innovative ideas into successful businesses.