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Tunisia’s CoaChess Raises Pre-Seed Funding to Revolutionize Chess Through AI
20 Apr 2023 Written by Admin AdminCoaChess, a Tunisian startup founded in 2021, has announced securing a pre-seed funding round worth 600k TND (USD191,000) thanks to Omicrone, their new investor and startup builder.
The company’s objective is to revolutionize the chess world by utilizing AI-powered tools to make the game accessible to players of all skill levels.
The company offers a wide range of services, including beginner-friendly lessons and advanced learning techniques aimed at further developing players’ skills regardless of their level.
In addition, the company provides players with the opportunity to apply what they have learned in highly competitive environments and analyze their games to identify their strengths and weaknesses. CoaChess also offers the chance to participate in free and paid tournaments against players with different levels and skill sets.
CoaChess’s most innovative offering is its intelligent bot, which can mimic top chess champions and other influential figures in the history of the game. This tool assists players in learning more about the game and improving their skills.
CoaChess also offers services that can improve chess clubs’ learning environments, including personalized guidance throughout their learning journey and the ability to organize internal and inter-club tournaments.
The recent pre-seed funding round is a significant milestone for CoaChess, bringing the company one step closer to achieving its goals. With the funding, the to company can take its innovative tools to the market and improve the game for good.
CoaChess’s founder, Iheb Kaabi, expressed gratitude for the support and guidance of the company’s supporters, saying, “We are committed to continuing our journey and working to make chess more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.”
Source: African Heroes
Tunisia-based Smart Capital, the manager of the Anava fund of funds, has invested $5.2 million in the Badia Impact Squared Fund (BIF2), a newly-launched fund targeting regional early-stage, high-growth startups.
BIF2 is managed by Silicon Badia, a global early-stage venture capital firm. Anava has already secured an initial close of €40 million and eyes a final close at €100 million.
Smart Capital, the manager of the Anava fund of funds, has committed $5,2 million to the Badia Impact Squared Fund (BIF2), a venture capital fund managed by Silicon Badia, a pioneering venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage technology firms operating globally.
Anava has a goal size of €100 million (with a first closure of €40 million fully subscribed by Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC)) and intends to participate in more than 13 private equity funds. Anava is one of the three pillars of the national programme Startup Tunisia, which also consists of Startup Act (incentives), Startup Ecosystem (support for support structures), and Startup Invest (financing programme including Anava), the management of which is delegated to Smart Capital.
Silicon Badia, which has offices in the United States and the Middle East, has invested in over 80 technology firms in over 15 industries and cities worldwide. Its second regional fund, BIF2, is a sector fund that invests in ICT startups in Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, and Lebanon at the Series A and Series B stages.
BIF2 completed its first closure in October 2020, bringing together the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Dutch Good Growth Fund (DGGF), and Finance in Motion, among other prestigious institutional LPs (FIM). Anava’s contribution is part of the second close of the Fund, in which 15 percent of its commitment will be given to Tunisia-based Startups. BIF2 made its initial investment in the Tunisian fintech business Expensya in November 2020, when it co-led the company’s $20 million Series B fundraising.
Smart Capital CEO Alaya Bettaieb said: “We are thrilled to be able to assist Silicon Badia with their second close. This investment arrives at a key time for Tunisian businesses seeking capital and skills to go beyond the country’s borders. In addition, this partnership will contribute to the diversification and expansion of Anava’s portfolio.”
Silicon Badia CEO Fawaz Zu’bi said, “We regard Anava’s investment in our second regional fund as a crucial strategic step in our efforts to grow our presence in North Africa, which is now solidified to include Tunisia. Our Fund has already made its first investment in Tunisia’s thriving innovation environment, where we are enthusiastic and eager to create bridges and invest.”
Source: Wamda
صندوق آنافا التونسي يعلن عن استثمار 5.2 مليون دولار في صندوق للاستثمار بالشركات الناشئة
17 Jul 2022 Written by Admin Adminاستثمر صندوق Anava Fund of Funds التونسي مبلغ 5.2 مليون دولار أميركي في صندوق Badia Impact Squared Fund المعروف اختصاراً (BIF2) وهو صندوق تم إطلاقه حديثاً ويستهدف الشركات الناشئة الإقليمية في المراحل المبكرة وذات النمو المرتفع بإدارة Silicon Badia.
وتستثمر شركة رأس المال الجريء الرائدة في شركات التكنولوجيا في مراحلها الأولى، وفي مرحلة النمو، وتعمل على مستوى العالم. وأكمل صندوق BIF2 أول إغلاق له في أكتوبر 2020، حيث ضم البنك الأوروبي للإنشاء والتعمير، وبنك الاستثمار الأوروبي، وصندوق جود جروث فاند، وفينانس إن موشن.
وتأتي مساهمة Anava Fund of Funds كجزء من الإغلاق الثاني للصندوق، حيث سيتم منح 15% من التزامها للشركات الناشئة في تونس. وقام صندوق BIF2 باستثماره الأول في شركة Expensya التونسية العاملة في قطاع التكنولوجيا المالية في نوفمبر 2020، ضمن جولة استثمارية من الفئة B بقيمة 20 مليون دولار.
ويبلغ حجم أهداف شركة Anava Fund of Funds مبلغ 100 مليون يورو، مع إغلاق أول بقيمة 40 مليون يورو من Caisse des Depots et Consignations، ويعتزم المشاركة في أكثر من 13 صندوقًا للأسهم الخاصة.
كما تُعد Anava واحدة من الركائز الثلاث الأساسية ضمن برنامج Startup Tunisia والذي يتكون من Startup Act و Startup Ecosystem وStartup Invest.
ومن جانبه، صرّح فواز الزعبي، الرئيس التنفيذي في :Silicon Badia "نحن نعتبر استثمار Anava في صندوقنا الإقليمي الثاني خطوة إستراتيجية حاسمة في جهودنا لتوسيع وجودنا في شمال إفريقيا، والذي تم تعزيزه الآن ليشمل تونس. لقد قام صندوقنا بالفعل بأول استثمار له في بيئة الابتكار المزدهرة في تونس، حيث نحن متحمسون ومتشوقون لإنشاء الجسور والاستثمار”
جدير بالذكر أن شركة Silicon Badia تمتلك مكاتبًا في الولايات المتحدة الأميركية والشرق الأوسط، وقامت بالاستثمار في أكثر من 80 شركة تقنية في أكثر من 15 صناعة ومدينة حول العالم.
ويُعد صندوقها الثاني BIF2 بمثابة صندوق قطاعي يستثمر في الشركات الناشئة في مجال تكنولوجيا المعلومات والاتصالات في دول مصر والأردن وتونس والمغرب ولبنان.
المصدر:أرابيا إنك
Tunisia-based IoT energy management solution Wattnow, has closed a $1.3 million pre-Series A funding round, led by Katapult Climate and 216 Capital, with participation from Launch Africa Venture alongside Cross Boundary, Oman Technology Fund and a business angel from Saudi Arabia.
Founded in 2018 by Issam Smaali, Wattnow helps companies optimise their energy usage and extend the lifetime of their assets in order to reduce costs and their carbon footprint.
Wattnow will deploy the new funding into boosting its local sales and expand outside of Tunisia, targeting markets in Africa and the Middle East.
Press release:
Wattnow, an African Tunis-based IoT smart energy management solution, closed a $1.3 million pre-Series A funding round with the participation of international and local reputable investors.
The investment round was led by Katapult Climate; Norwegian climate impact fund and 216 Capital; the newly incorporated VC fund in Tunisia; with the participation of Launch Africa Venture; Africa’s most active investors; alongside Cross Boundary; international advisory and investment firm and a strategic Business Angel from KSA. The round also recorded a follow-up investment coming from Oman Technology Fund, a historical investor of Wattnow.
Established in 2018 by Issam Smaali, Wattnow helps companies take control and optimise their energy usage and extend the lifetime of their assets in order to reduce costs and carbon footprint. The core mission is to make a robust and accessible energy efficiency technology for both industrials, commercial buildings and corporations.
“In a world where energy costs are increasing week after week, Wattnow's platform and technology have the potential to help businesses significantly reduce their energy bill but also their impact on the environment. We are very excited to support Issam and the Wattnow team in their exciting journey,” said Dhekra Khelifi, Partner at 216 Capital.
Despite the pandemic, the startup managed to keep its exponential sales growth, scoring market leaders in its portfolio all coming across several sectors, such as retail, telcos, or banks, and industries, such as aeronautics, cement plants, or even pharmaceuticals.
Besides boosting local sales serving a variety of segments, Wattnow will be deploying a part of the funds into its internationalisation, targeting markets in Africa and in the Middle East, while always keeping an eye on where the environmental impact can be the highest.
“This round will play a major role in helping us take Wattnow to the next level. As a 100% Tunisian startup, the whole team is very proud to have been able to make it to this stage, and the best is yet to come,” said Issam Smaali, CEO of Wattnow.
Previously, the startup was supported by regional investors including Flat6Labs, Kepple Africa Ventures, Oman Technology Fund, and a selection of business angels from the Bridging Angels network.
source: Wamda
