Ido Sum’s departure comes after he played a crucial role in raising the firm’s $150m TIDE Africa Fund II, one of the largest early-stage funds for the continent.

Ido Sum, a long-serving partner at the veteran Africa-focused venture capital firm TLcom Capital, is set to depart after 14 years. The firm confirmed the move today, marking a significant transition for one of the continent’s most established tech investors.

Sum was a key figure in TLcom’s early-stage investment strategy and was instrumental in raising its two flagship Africa-focused funds, TIDE Fund I and the oversubscribed $150m TIDE Africa Fund II, which closed in 2022. During his tenure, he worked closely with several portfolio companies, including Nigerian edtech uLesson, API fintech Zone, and the exited Kenyan aquaculture startup Littlefish.

In a statement, Sum said, “I am proud of what we have built at TLcom over the last 14 years. It has been a privilege to work alongside such a talented team and to have supported and worked side-by-side with some of Africa’s most audacious entrepreneurs.”

His future plans have not yet been announced.

An End of an Era

Sum’s departure marks the end of an era for TLcom, which first launched in 1999 and has since grown into a cornerstone of the African VC landscape. With $250m in assets under management and a 15-person team spread across its Lagos and Nairobi hubs, the firm has backed some of the continent’s most well-known startups, including Andela, FairMoney, and Pula.

The move comes at a pivotal time for the African tech ecosystem. After several years of record-breaking funding, the market has cooled, forcing startups to focus on profitability and VCs to be more selective. However, firms like TLcom, having recently closed large funds, possess significant “dry powder” to deploy into promising companies.

Maurizio Caio, Managing Partner at TLcom Capital, thanked Sum for his contributions. “We thank Ido for his commitment and dedication over the past 14 years and for his contribution to build TLcom as the preferred partner for Africa’s most ambitious entrepreneurs,” Caio said. “It has been a pleasure working with him, and we wish him the very best for his next endeavors.”

TLcom will continue to be led by its remaining partners, including Caio, Senior Partner Omobola Johnson in Lagos, Eloho Omame, Partner in Lagos and Partner Andreata Muforo in Nairobi, as it deploys capital from its second TIDE Africa fund.