What stage does FirstFounders invest at?

FirstFounders invests at Pre-Seed, Seed stages.

What check size does FirstFounders write?

InvestorMatch does not have a recorded check size for FirstFounders. Its stage focus (Pre-Seed, Seed) is the best available signal for round size.

What sectors does FirstFounders invest in?

FirstFounders invests in AI / ML, SaaS, Fintech.

Who are the partners at FirstFounders?

Partners at FirstFounders include Timi Oyetayo (Founder), David Messan (Managing Partner), Kemeshi Samuel (Co-Founding Partner · CMO).

What has FirstFounders invested in recently?

FirstFounders has 6+ portfolio companies, including PocketLawyers, Alimi, Korin, Vant, Banble.

How much capital does FirstFounders manage?

InvestorMatch does not have a recorded AUM figure for FirstFounders.

Where is FirstFounders located?

FirstFounders is based in Lagos, Nigeria.

FirstFounders — Pre-Seed & Seed VC Firm

Lagos, NigeriaWebsite

FirstFounders is a Pre-Seed, Seed venture capital firm based in Lagos, Nigeria investing in AI / ML, SaaS, Fintech. The firm has 6 portfolio companies in our records.

Portfolio: 6 companies on record
Partners: 3 listed
Stage: Pre-Seed, Seed
Sectors: AI / ML, SaaS, Fintech
HQ: Lagos, Nigeria
Check size: Not in our records
AUM: Not in our records

Last verified: 2026-11-10

How to approach: cold outreach ok

Stage

Pre-Seed, Seed

Portfolio

6+ companies

Team

3 partners

Investment Thesis

Venture studio and direct investor backing AI, SaaS, and digital infrastructure businesses in Africa, with a strong tilt toward system-building products.

How FirstFounders invests

FirstFounders is a vc firm based in Lagos, Nigeria. The firm invests at the Pre-Seed, Seed stages, with a focus on AI / ML, SaaS, Fintech.

FirstFounders has backed 6 companies in our records, including PocketLawyers, Alimi, Korin.

Partners & Team

Timi Oyetayo

Founder

SaaS

Africa

David Messan

Managing Partner

Venture strategy

Founder selection

M&A relationships

Two-vertical AI thesis

18+ years of venture-building. $600k+ personal capital deployed into African tech; 6.5× MOIC track record. Leads venture strategy, founder selection and M&A relationships, and is the architect of the two-vertical AI thesis.

Kemeshi Samuel

Co-Founding Partner · CMO

Brand

Community

Talent pipeline

Partnerships

Ecosystem development

Operational strategy

Deep expertise in operational strategy, marketing leadership and ecosystem development. Leads brand, community, talent pipeline and partnerships, and is co-architect of the AMALI Fellowship and F2VS Programme.