Equipping African Startups & Venture Capital Funds with everything they need to expand, scale and raise capital in the UK. Yes, everything.
F2F Sandbox
An initiative run by V54 Open Impact, the nonprofit arm of Ventures 54, funded by the UK Government, UK South Africa Tech Hub and supported by ecosystem partner Startup Club ZA.
HI THERE. WE’RE F2F SANDBOX!
Startup founders and funders across Africa are increasingly seeking ways to leverage global markets to enhance their access to capital, talent, and networks. However, many face challenges in identifying effective strategies and tools.
The Founder 2 Funder (F2F) Sandbox initiative addresses this by offering tailored support to African startup founders and venture capital fund managers seeking access to the UK ecosystem.
Sandbox delivers an on-demand support programme that helps foster business growth and expansion - whether for commercial, operational, or fundraising purposes, ensuring founders and funders achieve their specific market access goals.
Our latest South African focused edition of Sandbox is now open for application’s until the 9th of May. Go to our Application Portal for everything you need to know about eligibility and how to apply.
We work with Founders
F2F Sandbox connects high potential African technology startups with operators, market makers and investors that will support them in market expansion primarily into the UK. Currently assisting startups from South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria only.
FOUNDER SUPPORT PILLARS
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Guiding startups in building and maintaining strong relationships with UK investors to secure funding and support.
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Assisting startups in identifying and forming strategic partnerships and client relationships within the UK market.
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Advising on efficient operational strategies and talent acquisition to sustainably build a robust and effective team.
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Ensuring startups understand and adhere to UK regulations, compliance standards, and governance practices.
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Supporting startups in the logistical and strategic aspects of moving or expanding their business operations to the UK.
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Connecting startups with key players and networks within the UK startup ecosystem to foster growth and collaboration.
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Facilitating connections and support among startups through peer-to-peer learning and community building.
Founders will receive tailored support through a sprint-style plan that will cover 2-3 key support areas. To be eligible for F2F Sandbox, startups must be actively exploring or in the process of market expansion into the UK.
The following timeline is what to expect from a Founder Sprint:
WEEK 1
ONBOARDING & ASSESSMENT
Full business needs assessment from fundraising to expansion to define support and connections plan.
WEEK 2 - 5
DEEP DIVES & SUPPORT
Connect you with Expert Advisors for your business and provide specific capacity building for UK Market Entry.
WEEK 6 - 9
CONNECTIONS & FOLLOW-UPS
Provide bespoke connections into the UK Ecosystem & support with end to end engagement.
WEEK 10
OFF BOARDING & ACTION PLAN
Sprint review to assess outcomes and define follow-up action plan for further ecosystem and connections engagement.
FOLLOW-ON
TRACKING AND SUPPORT
Regular check-in’s to track progress of connections and activities. Providing ad-hoc support where needed.
We work with Fund Managers
F2F Sandbox supports emerging and established managers of African Venture Capital Funds with accessing LP capital and exit enablement. Including UK operational and platform expansion for portfolio support requirements.
SUPPORT PILLARS FOR — FUND MANAGERS
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Assisting fund managers in building and maintaining robust relationships with Limited Partners (LPs) in the UK, whilst also building relations and partnerships with General Partners (GPs) as UK Funds looking to co-invest into African startups.
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Identify and provide access to key stakeholders who can support with design and execution of exit strategies and opportunities via the UK for current and future portfolio companies.
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Providing fund managers with tools, strategies and UK market networks that can be used to support portfolio companies with specific UK market access needs - reference Founder Support pillars for examples.
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Equipping fund managers with a comprehensive framework to navigate broader strategic areas such as market trends, regulatory changes, talent acqusition amongst others to ensure a well-rounded approach to UK Market access and entry.
Fund Managers will receive tailored support through a sprint-style plan that will cover 2-3 key support areas. To be eligible for the Sandbox, funds must be looking to raise capital from the UK and or looking to expand presence in UK beyond just capital raising such as portfolio entry support or new office establishment.
The following timeline is what to expect from a Fund Sprint:
WEEK 1
ONBOARDING & ASSESSMENT
Full fund needs assessment from fundraising to expansion to define support and connections plan.
WEEK 2 - 7
DEEP DIVES & SUPPORT
Connect you with Expert Advisors for your business and provide specific capacity building for UK Market Entry.
WEEK 8 - 13
CONNECTIONS & FOLLOW-UPS
Provide bespoke connections into the UK Ecosystem & support with end to end engagement.
WEEK 14
OFF BOARDING & ACTION PLAN
Sprint review to assess outcomes and define follow-up action plan for further ecosystem and connections engagement.
FOLLOW-ON
TRACKING AND SUPPORT
Regular check-in’s to track progress of connections and activities. Providing ad-hoc support where needed.
IMPACT & ECOSYSTEM BUILDING
As part of London Tech Week 2024, the V54 Open Impact & Ventures 54 team provided support for London Africa Network’s x Africa Tech Festival - Africa Ignite Event.
Utilising the F2F Sandbox network to host the UK-Africa Super Connect portion of the event bringing 12 Ecosystem Partners together to host 26 Masterclasses and Office Hour Sessions for 60 visiting Startups and Operators from across Africa.
Save The Date!
On Wednesday 11th June we will be back with our 2nd Edition of the UK-Africa Sandbox in London Tech Week alongside the London Africa Network and many partners.
Launch announcement loading.
RESOURCES
Sandbox Partner Network
F2F Sandbox operates expansive network of organisations and individuals who are actively supporting Startups and Funds in the UK - Africa corridor, whilst also surfacing and supporting those who are newly seeking to create communities of best practice.
The Sandbox Partner network is currently exclusively available to Sandbox Sprint participants. But ecosystem wider partner offerings and support to be announced over the coming months as part of our ecosystem spotlight series.
Watch this space!
Ecosystem Resources Library
F2F Sandbox is an invite via application only initiative working with a select number of Startup and Funds per year. But wherever possible its knowledge base and opportunities facilitated will be distilled down into publicly accessible resources via the V54 Open Impact Library.
Launching in Q2 2025 with our first tool - the UK Market Entry Pack coming April 2025 which is an entry level guide and checklist for African Founders looking to expand into the UK.
Coming very soon!
Application Portal
F2F Sandbox is a UK-Africa vehicle providing tailored Sandboxes for African markets to access the UK. We have active and developing Sandboxes, each catering to specific regional needs - see live and those up and coming.
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We are excited to announce that the latest F2F Sandbox is now accepting applications until May 9th. This edition is exclusively for South African Startups and the Sandbox will run from May to July 2025. So if you're interested in participating, please follow these steps to apply:
1) To find out more & check your eligibility to apply: Click Here
2) Eligible and want to join Sandbox: Submit Application Here
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We are currently concluding a pilot Sandbox activation in Nigeria and will be launching a full Sandbox later this year. Keep your eyes peeled or to be notified of its launch submit a request here.
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We are currently concluding a pilot Sandbox activation in Kenya and will be launching a full F2F Sandbox later this year. Keep your eyes peeled or to be notified of its launch submit a request here.
LET’S HAVE A CHAT
If you are a founder or fund manager looking for UK market access support. Or an ecosystem support organization that can provide support to African founders and fund managers with market expansion. Then get in touch with our team.
Sandbox Team
V54 Open Impact
