Venture Building
We become your operational partner, lifting the 'back-end' administrative burden from founders, allowing them to focus on custumers, product, and sales.
The Side B Venture Studio
Powered by 6 Figure Ventures
Scaling Ventures past $1m ARR in 12 months.
The Side B Venture Studio, powered by 6 Figure Ventures, develops technology solutions fit for market using a unique VC model.
(we are capitalized, 100%private)
“You never change things by fighting the existing reality.
To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.”Buckminster Fuller
AmericanArchitect,
Systems Theorist,
Writer, Designer,
Inventor, Philosopher,
& Futurist
The Challenge
- Inefficiencies in Africa’s existing innovation ecosystem comprising of donor-funded incubators, accelerators, hubs, and other early-stage interventions, none of which is capitalized.
- A donor-focused programmatic response in the African market as opposed to commercial business, hands-on, and practical response when supporting early-stage firms.
- Theory prioritized over action due to limited shared industry expertise in building ventures.The Result
* Poorly Structured Ventures * Under Capitalized Ventures * Poor Guidance & Advice
* Limited Ability to Reach New Markets * Limited Networks * Misuse of Time
* Limited Growth * High Customer Acquisition Costs * Limited Scale Opportunity
The Solution
Addressing the "Soft Infrastructure" of Venture Building through:
Tailored Advice
Industry and sector specific guidance from professionanls in the very field of the founder's business. Operational 'back-end' support to alleviate time consuming activites not central to building businesses.
Risk Capital
Early-stage risk capital through our partners at 6 Figure Ventures, Standard Chartered Ventures, and MTN Momo, among others.
Access to Customers
In partnership with key industry players related to our portfolio of founders, we allow for immediate and easy API access to millions of users.
Service Offering
The Side B Venture Studio serves as a strategic operating partner for early-stage technology firms. We focus on scaling startups beyond $1M in annual recurring revenue within one year. By alleviating time consuming operational burdens, founders can concentrate on their customers, markets, products, and sales. This approach is made possible by strategic capital injections, industry specific expertise, customer access, and global networks to drive accelerated growth.
1. Venture Building Technical Suport
We support startups by managing operational complexities, allowing founders to prioritize product development and market expansion. Strategic capital investments further accelerate growth and scalability. This Venture Building includes:
- Administration: Legal compliance, HR, tax, accounting, and backend marketing.
- Cash: Financial guidance, business model refinement, and cash flow optimization.
- Culture: Promoting diversity, inclusion, team dynamics, and continuous learning.
- Market: Developing customer strategies, competitive analysis, and partnerships.
- Mentorship: Offering guidance on planning, capital raising, and valuation.
- Networks: Providing access to partnerships, talent, and credibility opportunities.
2. Early-Stage Advisory
We offer tailored solutions for startups to refine strategies, enhance structures, and secure funding. Our approach ensures firms are well-prepared to navigate new partners, increase growth, and the many complexities which will arise. This includes:
- Transaction Advisory: Support for capital raising from start to completion.
- Blended Finance Structuring: Designing structures to attract private capital.
- M&A Support: Enabling value realization through mergers and acquisitions.
- Board Guidance: Establishing governance frameworks and shareholder agreements.
- Pre-Investment Strategy: Crafting growth strategies and financial models.
- Exit Planning: Developing strategies for acquisition, IPO, or mergers.
3. Early-Stage Investment
We help startups access funding by ensuring proper structuring, documentation, and customer growth plans. Post-investment, we offer ongoing support to help firms reach their full potential. This includes:
- Valuations: Independent assessments using proven methodologies.
- Investment Readiness: Enhancing investor appeal.
- Investor Pitches: Crafting compelling presentations.
- Due Diligence: Preparing for investor scrutiny.
- Legal Support: Ensuring compliance and IP protection.
- Transaction Support: Assisting from negotiation to closing.
- Investor Relations & Liaising: Managing investor communication
4. Co-Working & Ancillary Services
Our collaborative space fosters innovation and productivity while being affordable and amenity-rich. Designed for startups, our space provides essential facilities and a resource rich environment. This includes:
- Infrastructure: Secured, furnished spaces designed for productivity.
- Technology: Reliable internet and office tools for seamless operations.
- Hospitality: Refreshments, professional reception, and clean spaces.
- Utilities: Covering expenses and offering administrative support.
- Unlimited WiFi: High-speed internet available at all times.
- Central Location: Easily accessible office in a prime area.
- Shared Services: Access to common resources and facilities.
- Preferred Vendors: Exclusive access to trusted service providers
Incubator, Accelerator, or Studio?
How is the Side B Venture Studio different?
Traditional incubators, accelerators, and studio's are compared below.
Incubator
• Stage: Ideation
• Revenue: not significant, typically no revenue present
• Term: Short-term in duration (< 3 Months)
• Activities: include market research, product development, & business model validation
• Mentorship: general across various areas
• Operators: include academics, hubs, NGOs, & Gov
• Investors: Angels, Philanthropists, Grants, Friends & Family
• Equity: Typically no equity, however, some with 3-5%
• Goal: to develop a product and business model for cohort
Accelerator
• Stage: Growth, scaling existing businesses
• Revenue: typically $100k+ USD
• Term: Short-term in duration (3 – 6 Months)
• Activiites: include market expansion, customer acquisition, & fundraising
• Mentorship: attempts to be industry specific
• Operators: include academics, hubs, NGO's, & Gov
• Investors: Angels, Seed Stage VC, Grants, Foundations
• Equity: Typically equity between 3%-10%
• Goal: to scale and enter new markets of cohort
Traditional Studio
• Stage: Create and develop startups from scratch using ideas from Studio founder and hiring on a capable team
• Revenue: No revenue generation
• Term: Long-term in duration (24 – 60+ Months)
• Activiites: include business development, venture building, product development, funding, office space, hired expertise
• Mentorship: Specialized with networks from industry experts globally
• Operators: include wealthy persons and experienced founders
• Investors: internal to Studio or VC firms
• Equity: typically equity upwards of 50%
• Goal: to build multiple successful startups at the same time
Our Studio Characteristics
The Side B Venture Studio is a Hybrid between a Traditional Accelerator and a Traditional Studio.
The Side B Venture Studio
Powered by 6 Figure Ventures
- Time: We are longer-term than an Accelerator, closer to 12 months, but not as short-term as a traditional Accelerator at 3-4 months; however, we are also much shorter term than a traditional Studio at 3-4 years to maturity
- Maturity: We are past ideation, where an MVP is required; the sector must be in technology, however we are vertical agnostic; revenue must exist and the product must be on the market
- Equity: We take more than an Accelerator (which typically takes 5-8%), and less than a traditional Venture Studio (which typically takes 40-50%); we are in the 20% range
- Control: We have more control than an Accelerator, however less control than a traditional Venture Studio (we will require founders to sign off on us driving value)
- Founder: We are not necessarily looking for a CEO from the start (like a traditional Venture Studio), but going in that direction to expand the existing team; we are seeking solid founders who have raised capital before, started another company, have exited before, have networks, etc.
- Product: We need a scalable technology product that exists, with some traction/sales on the market
- Exit: We are not as 'permanent' like a traditional Venture Studio, we want out in 12 months via a liquidity event (likely between month 12 and 24) such as listing, sale, acquisition, strategic partner, or local purchase/ buyer. My team's job is to make this happen during this period and we are leveraging our global and local networks to position Founders to benefit within the period.
Eligibility
To move past the Screening process, founders (and their firms) must meet a majority of these requirements to be eligible for an application.
1. Strategic Alignment
- Must operate within the technology sector
- Must focus on innovative solutions in Africa
- We must have a viable pathway to exit pre-identified2. Founder & Team
- Have started a firm before
- Have raised capital before
- Have exited a firm before
- Have experienced founder & team (min 5 years)
- Must be willing to offer a min of 20% equity from their company
- No PEP’s (Politically Exposed Persons)3. Opportunity
- Must have an existing product (MVP) with traction
- Must have the ability to identify and know their market size and opportunities
- Must be able to scale their product/service in the identified market- Must have a global perspective and offer value that extends beyond local customers
4. Financial Stability
- Must have financially strong shareholders who are willing to put in more capital into the startup
- Founder must invest their own capital in the company
- Founder must be able to pay $1,000 USD per month auxiliary business services
- Must see a path to $1m ARR in 12 monthsHow to Get In the Studio
1Get Screened
Ascertain your eligibility first. Then submit all requested information in the Screening Form.
2Apply
After screening is completed, only those who move past the screening process are invited to apply.
3Residence
Upon successful entry into the Studio, the 12-month residency begins.
The Fund Team
The Side B Venture Studio is operated by Side B Partners (Side B), an early-stage Advisory firm bridging innovation and investment in Africa’s tech sector. 6 Figure Ventures (6FV), is a US-based asset manager focused on early-stage risk capital for African technology firms. 6FV serves as the long-term risk capital provider to the studio, attracting international investors. The Side B team includes Advisors, Coaches, and Mentors, as well as a Venture Team and an Operating Team. The 6FV Fund Team consists of John Brittell, the Managing Partner, Aaron Jay Fossett, the CFO, Brian Chappon, COO, and Jonathan Bench, Chief Legal Counsel.
The Coach & Mentor Team
The Coach & Mentor Team consists of the Coordinator (James Serugo, Media) and two additional industry specific Coaches & Mentors - John McMullen in Telecommunication and Matteo Rizzi in AI. We are currently seeking Coaches & Mentors in FinTech, LegalTech, SAAS, and InsureTech.
Contact Us
+256 31 253 1596
info@
© 2025