Maya Horgan Famodu represents a new generation of investors transforming Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
As the founder and managing director of Ingressive Capital, a venture capital firm backing early-stage tech-enabled businesses across the continent, she has positioned herself at the intersection of innovation, finance, and inclusive growth.
At just 25 years old when she launched her fund, Famodu became one of the youngest women to start a VC firm in Africa—a remarkable feat in a male-dominated industry.
Born in Minnesota to a Nigerian father and American mother, Maya grew up between two worlds, an experience that shaped her global outlook. She studied Environmental Science at Pomona College in California but found her calling in technology and entrepreneurship while working in the U.S.
Her career began at JPMorgan Chase, where she focused on private banking and wealth management. However, she quickly realized that her deeper passion lay in creating opportunities for African founders.
Her early efforts led to the founding of Ingressive Advisory, a market entry firm that helped global companies such as Y Combinator, GitHub, and 500 Startups expand into Africa.
Recognizing the continent’s untapped potential, she launched Ingressive Capital in 2017 with the goal of backing early-stage startups that could scale across Africa.
Today, the firm has invested in high-growth companies such as Paystack (later acquired by Stripe for $200 million), Tizeti, and 54gene, making it one of the most influential seed-stage investors in Africa.
Famodu’s vision extends beyond financing. Through Ingressive for Good (I4G), the non-profit arm of her ecosystem, she has provided scholarships, technical training, and resources to thousands of African youths seeking careers in technology.
By aligning venture funding with capacity-building, she has created a holistic approach that ensures talent development accompanies business growth.
Her work has been widely recognized. She has been featured by Forbes, TechCrunch, and The Financial Times, and was listed among Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30. Famodu has also been invited to speak at global platforms such as Harvard Business School, the World Economic Forum, and the United Nations, where she continues to advocate for more inclusive investment models for Africa.
At the core of her entrepreneurial journey is the belief that Africa is not a market of the future but of the present.
Famodu often emphasizes that African founders are building companies to solve some of the world’s most urgent challenges—whether in fintech, health, or infrastructure—and that global investors should pay attention.
By proving that African startups can attract global capital and deliver world-class exits, Maya Horgan Famodu has not only disrupted venture capital but also inspired a generation of women in finance and technology.
Her journey illustrates that unlocking Africa’s potential requires bold visionaries willing to take risks and reimagine the future of business on the continent.
