Venture Building
We become your operational partner, lifting the 'back-end' administrative burden from founders, allowing them to focus on customers, product, and sales.
The Side B Venture Studio
The Side B Venture Studio, powered by 6 Figure Ventures, develops technology solutions fit for market using a unique VC model.
(we are capitalized, 100%private)
“You never change things by fighting the existing reality.
To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”Buckminster Fuller
AmericanArchitect,
Systems Theorist,
Writer, Designer,
Inventor, Philosopher,
& Futurist
The Opportunity
$1.5T USD
Challenges
- Limited Capitalization
(of Origination Platforms)
- A Donor-Led Approach
(Programs over Commercials)
- Limited Market Expertise
(No Private Sector Experience or Customer Resources)
- Limited Partnerships(Theory over Practice; no Customer Platforms Leveraged)
The Result
* Poorly Structured Ventures *
* Under Capitalized Ventures *
* Poor Guidance & Advice *
* Limited Ability to Reach New Markets *
* Limited Networks *
* Misuse of Time *
* Limited Growth *
* High Customer Acquisition Costs *
* Misuse of Resources *
* Limited Scale Opportunity *
A Solution
Addressing the "Soft Infrastructure" of Venture Building through:
Tailored Advice
Industry and sector specific guidance from professionanls in the very field of the founder's business. Operational 'back-end' support to alleviate time consuming activites not central to building businesses.
Risk Capital
Early-stage risk capital through our partners at 6 Figure Ventures, Standard Chartered Ventures, and MTN Momo, among others.
Access to Customers
In partnership with key industry players related to our portfolio of founders, we allow for immediate and easy API access to millions of users. Connect with our global network of industry professionals.
Service Offering
The Side B Venture Studio serves as a strategic operating partner for early-stage technology firms. We focus on scaling startups beyond $10M in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) within two years. By alleviating time consuming operational burdens, founders can concentrate on their customers, markets, products, and sales. This approach is made possible by strategic capital injections, industry specific expertise, customer access, and global networks to drive accelerated growth.
1. Venture Building Technical Suport
We support startups by managing operational complexities, allowing founders to prioritize product development and market expansion. Strategic capital investments further accelerate growth and scalability. This Venture Building includes:
- Administration: Legal compliance, HR, tax, accounting, and backend marketing.
- Cash: Financial guidance, business model refinement, and cash flow optimization.
- Culture: Promoting diversity, inclusion, team dynamics, and continuous learning.
- Market: Developing customer strategies, competitive analysis, and partnerships.
- Mentorship: Offering guidance on planning, capital raising, and valuation.
- Networks: Providing access to partnerships, talent, and credibility opportunities.
2. Early-Stage Advisory
We offer tailored solutions for startups to refine strategies, enhance structures, and secure funding. Our approach ensures firms are well-prepared to navigate new partners, increase growth, and the many complexities which will arise. This includes:
- Transaction Advisory: Support for capital raising from start to completion.
- Blended Finance Structuring: Designing structures to attract private capital.
- M&A Support: Enabling value realization through mergers and acquisitions.
- Board Guidance: Establishing governance frameworks and shareholder agreements.
- Pre-Investment Strategy: Crafting growth strategies and financial models.
- Exit Planning: Developing strategies for acquisition, IPO, or mergers.
3. Early-Stage Investment
We help startups access funding by ensuring proper structuring, documentation, and customer growth plans. Post-investment, we offer ongoing support to help firms reach their full potential. This includes:
- Valuations: Independent assessments using proven methodologies.
- Investment Readiness: Enhancing investor appeal.
- Investor Pitches: Crafting compelling presentations.
- Due Diligence: Preparing for investor scrutiny.
- Legal Support: Ensuring compliance and IP protection.
- Transaction Support: Assisting from negotiation to closing.
- Investor Relations & Liaising: Managing investor communication
4. Co-Working & Auxilary Services
Our collaborative space fosters innovation and productivity while being affordable and amenity-rich. Designed for startups, our space provides essential facilities and a resource rich environment. This includes:
- Infrastructure: Secured, furnished spaces designed for productivity.
- Technology: Reliable internet and office tools for seamless operations.
- Hospitality: Refreshments, professional reception, and clean spaces.
- Utilities: Covering expenses and offering administrative support.
- Unlimited WiFi: High-speed internet available at all times.
- Central Location: Easily accessible office in a prime area.
- Shared Services: Access to common resources and facilities.
- Preferred Vendors: Exclusive access to trusted service providers
Incubator, Accelerator, or Studio?
How is the Side B Venture Studio different?
Traditional incubators, accelerators, and studio's are compared below.
Incubator
• Stage: Ideation
• Revenue: not significant, typically no revenue present
• Term: Short-term in duration (< 3 Months)
• Activities: include market research, product development, & business model validation
• Mentorship: general across various areas
• Operators: include academics, hubs, NGOs, & Gov
• Investors: Angels, Philanthropists, Grants, Friends & Family
• Equity: Typically no equity, however, some with 3-5%
• Goal: to develop a product and business model for cohort
Accelerator
• Stage: Growth, scaling existing businesses
• Revenue: typically $100k+ USD
• Term: Short-term in duration (3 – 6 Months)
• Activiites: include market expansion, customer acquisition, & fundraising
• Mentorship: attempts to be industry specific
• Operators: include academics, hubs, NGO's, & Gov
• Investors: Angels, Seed Stage VC, Grants, Foundations
• Equity: Typically equity between 3%-10%
• Goal: to scale and enter new markets of cohort
Traditional Studio
• Stage: Create and develop startups from scratch using ideas from Studio founder and hiring on a capable team
• Revenue: No revenue generation
• Term: Long-term in duration (24 – 60+ Months)
• Activiites: include business development, venture building, product development, funding, office space, hired expertise
• Mentorship: Specialized with networks from industry experts globally
• Operators: include wealthy persons and experienced founders
• Investors: internal to Studio or VC firms
• Equity: typically equity upwards of 50%
• Goal: to build multiple successful startups at the same time
Our Studio Characteristics
The Side B Venture Studio is a Hybrid between a Traditional Accelerator and a Traditional Studio.
The Side B Venture Studio
Powered by 6 Figure Ventures
- Time: We are longer-term than an Accelerator, closer to 12 to 24 months, but not as short-term as a traditional Accelerator at 3-4 months; however, we are also much shorter term than a traditional Studio at 4-5 years to maturity;
- Maturity: We are past ideation, where a minimum viable product (MVP) is required; the sector must be in technology, however we are vertical agnostic; revenue must exist and the product must be on the market;
- Equity: 6FV will take more than an Accelerator (which typically takes 5-8%), and less than a traditional Venture Studio (which typically takes 40-50%); 6FV is in the 20% range;
- Control: We have more control than an Accelerator, however less control than a traditional Venture Studio (we will require founders to sign off on us driving value);
- Founder: We are not necessarily looking for a CEO from the start (like a traditional Venture Studio), but going in that direction to expand the existing team; we are seeking solid founders who have raised capital before, started another company, have networks, etc.;
- Product: We need a scalable technology product that exists, with some traction/sales on the market;
- Exit: 6FV is not as 'permanent' like a traditional Venture Studio, they want out in 12 months via a liquidity event (likely between month 12 and 24) such as listing, sale, acquisition, merger, strategic partner, or local purchase/buyer. The Studio's job is to make this happen during this period and we leverage our global and local networks to position Founders to benefit within the period.
Eligibility
To move past the Screening process, founders (and their firms) must meet a majority of these requirements to be eligible for an application.
1. Strategic Alignment
- Must operate within the technology sector
- Must focus on innovative solutions in Africa
- We must have a viable pathway to exit pre-identified- Must be willing to work under the Studio's designed structure
- We accept both registered and unregistered businesses
2. Founder & Team
- Have started a firm before
- Have raised capital before
- Have experienced founder & team (min 5 years in industry)
- Must be willing to offer a min of 20% equity from their company (No SAFEs)
- No PEP’s (Politically Exposed Persons), SIP's, SIE's, or RCA's3. Opportunity
- Must have an existing product (MVP) with traction
- Must have the ability to identify and know their market size and opportunities, including how to calculate
- Must be able to scale their product/service in the identified market- Must have a global perspective and offer value that extends beyond local customers and jurisdictions (market)
4. Financial Stability
- Must have revenue above $50,000 USD (per year)
- Must have financially strong shareholders who are willing to put in more capital into the startup
- Founder must invest their own capital in the company
- Founder must be willing and able to pay $1,000 USD per month for auxiliary business services
- Must see (and demonstrate) a path to $10M ARR in 24 monthsHow We Define Technology
Software-driven, data-centric, and scalable digital solutions that enable innovative, asset-light business models tailored to African markets across any vertical (e.g., fintech, healthtech, agritech, edtech, proptech, AI, telecom, mobility, energy, etc.). These solutions prioritize low capital expenditure, rapid market traction, and adaptability to evolving customer needs and local contexts, delivering enhanced user experiences and operational efficiencies. They exclude hardware-heavy, CapEx-intensive, or long-lead-time innovations, focusing instead on platforms, processes, solutions, or services that leverage data, automation, and digital infrastructure to drive growth and impact in Africa’s diverse and dynamic ecosystem.
How to Get In the Studio
1Pitch!
Get ahead of others by scheduling a Pitch Day with our team in advance of filling out the Screening Form.
2Get Screened
First, ascertain your eligibility. Then request a Screening Form and submit all required information.
3Apply
After screening is completed, only those who move past the screening process are invited to apply.
4Residence
Upon successful entry into the Studio, the 12-month residency begins.
Common Misperceptions
Of The Side B Venture Studio
1
A pitch deck gets you funding.
2
Entry to the Studio automatically gets you funding.
3
This is non-residence.
4
We are financial only in our participation with you.
5
Your Studio contract is negotiable and premised upon investment.
6
Side B is investing in your startup.
7
That your model will remain the same while in the Studio.
8
The Studio will keep existing assumptions for your product or market.
9
Your billing begins after you sign the contract (service level agreement).
The Fund Team
The Side B Venture Studio is operated by Side B Partners (Side B), an early-stage Advisory firm bridging innovation and investment in Africa’s tech sector. 6 Figure Ventures (6FV), is a US-based asset manager focused on early-stage risk capital for African technology firms. 6FV serves as the long-term risk capital provider to the studio, attracting international investors. The Side B team includes Advisors, Coaches, and Mentors, as well as a Venture Team and an Operating Team. The 6FV Fund Team consists of John Brittell, the Managing Partner, Aaron Jay Fossett, the CFO, Brian Chappon, COO, and Jonathan Bench, Chief Legal Counsel.
The Coach & Mentor Team
The Coach & Mentor Team consists of the Coordinator (James Serugo, Media) and two additional industry specific Coaches & Mentors - John McMullen in Telecommunication and Matteo Rizzi in AI. We are currently seeking Coaches & Mentors in FinTech, LegalTech, SAAS, and InsureTech.
Contact Us
+256 31 253 1596
info@
© 2025