Dar Ventures and Plug and Play partner to grow African tech startups

Dar Ventures, the venture capital division of the engineering firm Dar, has entered a partnership with the global innovation platform Plug and Play. This collaboration aims to scale the DarE startup programme, which focuses on technology solutions for the built environment, including architecture, engineering, and construction sectors. The 12-week hybrid initiative targets companies ranging from pre-seed to pre-Series A stages that possess a market-ready product or a minimum viable product. While the programme maintains a global reach, it will specifically prioritize ventures located throughout Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

By leveraging Plug and Play's extensive international network of investors and corporate partners, the initiative provides specialized startups with vital access to industry knowledge and new markets. This support is particularly significant given recent data showing a decline in early-stage funding within the African tech ecosystem. For companies developing infrastructure and construction technologies, this partnership offers a strategic pathway to secure capital and expand their commercial footprint.