About us

Aséli is a permanent capital vehicle designed to unlock Africa’s green economy by bridging the critical financing gap for early-stage climate-tech businesses. By combining patient, flexible financing with catalytic capital and market-based environmental assets, Aséli catalyses post-pilot, high-potential startups into scalable, bankable enterprises. Structured as a non-profit company, all returns are reinvested into new opportunities - creating a capital recycling structure that compounds both financial and impact outcomes.

The

Missing

Middle

Financial backing and support

Africa’s climate-tech startups are stuck in a funding gap: too risky for venture capital, too small for banks, and underserved by guarantees that don’t support early-stage scaling. As a result, 60% of green startups never move beyond pilot stage. This failure undermines both job creation and climate goals. Without intervention, the continent risks losing its chance to create 3 million green jobs by 2030 and to become a continental leader in climate innovation.

From EV scale ups to green power,
we invest in the sustainable industries of the future.

The structure uses innovative financing mechanisms and market- based environmental assets to drive financial returns and social economic and environmental impact. Operating as an evergreen fund, we reinvest all returns into new opportunities.

What we invest in...

Aséli supports investment into South African small, micro, and medium enterprises operating in the climate-tech and green economy. We back post-proof-of-concept, post-revenue businesses that have validated their solutions and are ready to scale commercially. These enterprises must demonstrate strong potential to create sustainable jobs, drive inclusive economic growth, and deliver measurable environmental impact. Typical investments range from R5 million to R40 million, with the investment quantum scaling as funds under management increase.

Mobility and Transport

Driving the shift toward cleaner, smarter mobility. We back electric vehicle infrastructure, green logistics, and innovative transport solutions that reduce emissions and reshape movement across Africa.

Waste Management

Transforming waste into opportunity. Our investments support circular economy models that turn by-products into valuable resources and minimize environmental impact.

Nature and Agriculture

Nurturing sustainable growth. We invest in regenerative farming, agri-tech, and land restoration projects that secure food systems while protecting biodiversity.

Energy and Power

Powering progress responsibly. We fund renewable energy, green hydrogen, and cleaner industrial processes that accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Manufacturing

Investing in the future of production. Our focus is on sustainable automation, smart factories, and technologies that enhance efficiency while lowering carbon footprints.

Advanced Materials

Where technology meets impact. We back frontier innovations in materials, biotech, and environmental science that enable a sustainable and equitable future.

Centered around three pillars:

Economic Resilience:

Building inclusive green economies by supporting enterprises that create sustainable jobs and resilient livelihoods.

Evergreen Capital for Climate Innovation

Aséli is not another impact fund - it is a first-of-its-kind permanent capital vehicle in Africa. Structured as a non-profit company, Aséli exists to unlock growth for green SMEs that conventional finance overlooks.

Our innovative financing model combines:

Patient, Revenue-Based Financing:

Aséli deploys capital through flexible, revenue-linked instruments that align repayments with business performance. This approach reduces pressure on early-stage enterprises, enabling them to scale sustainably while still protecting investor confidence.

Evergreen Capital for Climate Innovation

Aséli is not another impact fund - it is a first-of-its-kind permanent capital vehicle in Africa. Structured as a non-profit company, Aséli exists to unlock growth for green SMEs that conventional finance overlooks.

Our innovative financing model combines:

Patient, Revenue-Based Financing:

Aséli deploys capital through flexible, revenue-linked instruments that align repayments with business performance. This approach reduces pressure on early-stage enterprises, enabling them to scale sustainably while still protecting investor confidence.

Our path to impact

Our impact is driven by a Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) framework that anchors every investment and activity in measurable outcomes.

We focus on clear impact priorities, robust data collection, and continuous performance tracking across enterprises, portfolios, and ecosystems.

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