Connecting Capital and Innovation: Reflections on Entrepreneurship Support Organizations and Angel Investing
By Tate Crowards
Working in impact investing, the biggest challenge rarely lies in how much money has been allocated for investment. Nor is it a lack of great ideas, talented people, or abundant resources. The real challenge is creating the right connections – linking capital to strong businesses and innovation. That connection is what drives sustainable growth, and building those bridges is at the heart of my work: ecosystem building.
At Triple Jump, we use technical assistance (TA) to strengthen entrepreneurship support organizations (ESOs) – accelerators, incubators, and similar entities. These organizations are the backbone of entrepreneurial ecosystems. They identify promising entrepreneurs, nurture their ideas, and help transform them into stable, sustainable businesses. These businesses, in turn, become engines of growth: employers, innovation hubs, and providers of essential goods and services to millions.
Our collaboration with Ocean Hub Africa (OHA) illustrates this perfectly. Focused on startups in the blue economy, OHA has supported dozens of ventures while building a dynamic network of ESOs. Their role goes beyond direct support to entrepreneurs – they weave connective tissue across the ecosystem, engaging policymakers, civil society, financial institutions, and peer ESOs. Acting as a catalyst and bridge, OHA nurtures early-stage companies and links them to later-stage opportunities, ensuring continuity and growth. This interconnectedness is what makes ecosystems resilient and impactful.
But building strong businesses is not just about technical support – it’s a collaborative effort with capital providers. Increasingly, ESOs are integrating financing vehicles into their models, while traditional financiers are stepping into the support space. Historically, funds have offered in-house business development services and mentorship. Today, these efforts are becoming more formalized, complemented by newer channels such as angel networks.
Take the Nairobi Business Angel Network (NaiBAN) as an example. Founded in 2021, NaiBAN has grown into a vibrant community of investors working hand-in-hand with accelerators and the broader business ecosystem. They don’t just provide capital, they offer mentorship, access to networks, and innovative financing instruments. Their pilot of venture debt is particularly exciting, unlocking capital for companies that may not fit the typical VC, high-growth profile while creating new opportunities for angel investors.
This evolution reflects a broader truth: in a world where connection is easier than ever, building meaningful relationships remains critical. Ecosystems thrive when stakeholders – ESOs, investors, policymakers, and entrepreneurs – collaborate intentionally. These relationships enable capital to find talent and innovation, catalyzing entrepreneurship and driving positive returns for both investors and society.
Impact investing is ultimately about more than money, it’s about creating pathways for ideas to flourish and businesses to grow. ESOs and angel networks work together for a strong ecosystem: building foundations and fueling ascent. Together, they form the bridges that turn potential into progress.
Additional reading
Angel Investing in Emerging Markets report DGGF-EM-Angel-Report.pdf – November 2025
Dutch Good Growth Fund Impact Report 2024: DGGF Impact Report 2024 | DGGF
