Organization · Venture Capital
Persistent
Persistent is a climate venture builder based in Nairobi, Kenya, focusing on early-stage investments in African startups that address climate change and promote sustainable economic development.
Overview
What Persistent does
What Persistent is
Persistent is a climate venture builder based in Nairobi, Kenya, focusing on early-stage investments in African startups that address climate change and promote sustainable economic development.
How it participates in the startup ecosystem
The current public profile supports funder capabilities. Each capability below is shown separately so organization identity and role-specific information do not get conflated.
Operational profile
Organization status and context
Organization status describes the entity itself. Funding and program availability appear within the relevant capability profile.
- Operational status
- Active
- Organization type
- Venture Capital
- Founded
- Founded in 2012
- Approximate age
- About 14 years
- Structured capabilities
- Funder
- Last reviewed
- April 23, 2026
Official channels
Find Persistent elsewhere
Open the official website or a supported primary organization account.
Capability profile
Persistent as a funder
Investment thesis
Persistent combines venture building with investment to support early-stage African companies tackling climate change. The firm believes in developing climate solutions from first principles, fostering local innovation to create impactful businesses.
Focus narrative
Persistent invests in companies developing solutions in energy transition, resource transition, and agricultural transition. The organization primarily targets sectors such as distributed renewable energy (especially solar), e-mobility, and energy efficiency, aiming to support businesses that generate strong financial returns while positively impacting the African continent.
Value beyond capital
Persistent offers a hybrid model of venture building and investment, providing not only capital but also operational and strategic support to portfolio companies. This includes governance, technical expertise, and access to a network of resources to help ventures scale effectively.
Focus and fit
- Stages
- Pre-seed · Seed · Seed+ · Series A · Series B
- Regions
- AfricaSub-Saharan Africa
Availability
- Currently deploying
- Yes
Portfolio and track record
- Recorded portfolio count
- 25
Portfolio context
Persistent has made over 80 investments in 25 companies, managing or advising assets exceeding $175 million. Notable portfolio companies include Beacon Power Services (Nigeria) — data and grid management solutions, Solar Taxi (Ghana) — an e-mobility startup, and Rensource (West Africa) — a renewable energy provider.
Common questions
What to know about Persistent
Upseed classifies Persistent under the Venture Capital organization type. Its current public profile includes funder capabilities.
Source and update disclosure
Know what this page is based on
Source basis
Public organization and program material, official websites, and structured Upseed records.
Last reviewed
April 23, 2026
Known limits
Capability profiles appear only when a structured public profile also contains decision-useful role evidence. Terms and availability can change.
Upseed is an independent guide. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organization described on this page.