Side B Partners
Side B Partners is a Kampala-based advisory firm and venture studio operating a hybrid accelerator-studio model to help experienced early-stage technology founders in East Africa scale past $10M ARR, generating revenue through studio residency fees, equity participation via 6 Figure Ventures, and advisory services for corporates and foundations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersKampala, Uganda
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Side B Partners does
Side B Partners is a Kampala, Uganda-based private advisory firm and venture studio focused on early-stage technology ventures in East Africa. Founded originally in 2012 as a corporate advisory firm and reoriented in 2025 around early-stage technology risk, the firm operates through a hybrid venture studio-accelerator model powered by 6 Figure Ventures, targeting experienced founders with existing MVPs and at least $50,000 USD in revenue. Its core offering, the Side B Venture Studio, combines a 12-month residency program with operational partnership, strategic capital access, and customer API access through partners such as Standard Chartered Ventures and MTN Momo, with a stated objective of scaling portfolio companies to $10 million ARR within 24 months.
The company's technology and platform components include the Hornet's Nest Pitch Day (monthly themed events in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania connecting startups to investors with $10k–$2m check sizes), a structured residency program with screening and application processes, co-working and auxiliary services, and bespoke research and project design capabilities. Supporting service modules cover early-stage advisory (fund structuring, origination, investment strategy, due diligence), research and market intelligence, and project design and management for corporates, foreign investors, global foundations, and ecosystem support organizations. The firm also runs talent development initiatives including a Fellowship Program and a Job Shadow Program in partnership with Junior Achievement Uganda.
Side B generates revenue through three primary streams: (1) subscription fees of $1,000 USD per month from founders for auxiliary business services during the 12-month studio residency; (2) equity participation of 20–35% in portfolio companies (taken by 6 Figure Ventures, with Side B serving as operational partner); and (3) professional services fees for advisory, research, valuation, due diligence, and transaction support work. The firm operates with a small team of approximately 8–15 professionals across Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, and is 100% privately capitalized with no disclosed external funding rounds.
Side B Partners firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Side B Partners
- Legal name
- Side B Partners
- Website
- https://sidebpartners.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Side B Partners is a Kampala-based advisory firm and venture studio operating a hybrid accelerator-studio model to help experienced early-stage technology founders in East Africa scale past $10M ARR, generating revenue through studio residency fees, equity participation via 6 Figure Ventures, and advisory services for corporates and foundations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Side B Partners industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Venture Studio & Early-Stage Investment Advisory
- NAICS
- Management Consulting Services (54161), Investment Banking and Securities Intermediation (523150)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Venture Studios / Company Builders (FSANAAAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Corporate Venture Studios & Incubators (Build/launch ventures) (FSANAHAC), Corporate Strategic Partnership & Ecosystem Investment Arms (FSANAHAF), Sector-Focused Venture Capital (Vertical Specialists) (FSANAAAD)
Keywords
Where Side B Partners is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kampala
- HQ country
- Uganda
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices2 records
Markets served
Side B Partners business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Venture Studio Residency Fees: Founders pay $1,000 USD per month for auxiliary business services during the 12-month residency program. Services include administration, cash management guidance, culture development, market support, mentorship, and network access.
- Equity Participation: 6 Figure Ventures (partner powering the studio) takes equity in portfolio companies in the 20-35% range. Side B Partners serves as operational partner providing venture building technical support.
- Early-Stage Advisory Fees: Advisory services for fund structuring, origination, business models, investment strategy, market intelligence, due diligence, and project design and management for corporates, foreign investors, global foundations, and ecosystem support organizations.
- Early-Stage Investment Support: Fees for valuations, investment readiness enhancement, investor pitch preparation, due diligence support, legal support, transaction support, and investor relations services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Auxiliary Business Services - $1,000 USD per month |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Venture Studio Equity - 20-35% range |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
Side B Partners product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Side B Partners runs a hybrid venture studio-accelerator and advisory firm that helps scale early-stage African technology ventures toward $10M ARR in 24 months. The Side B Venture Studio, powered by 6 Figure Ventures, provides operational partnership, strategic capital, and customer API access, complemented by Hornet's Nest Pitch Day events for investor matchmaking and standalone early-stage advisory, research, and project design services for corporates, investors, and foundations.
Product overview
Side B Partners operates a unified platform anchored by the Side B Venture Studio, a hybrid venture studio-accelerator that scales early-stage African tech ventures. The core offering combines operational partnership, early-stage advisory, and access to capital and customer networks. Supporting offerings include the Hornet's Nest Pitch Day event, research services, project design and management, and co-working facilities. The company also runs a Fellowship Program and Job Shadow Program as talent development initiatives, though these are community programs rather than commercial products.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Side B Venture Studio A hybrid venture studio-accelerator that scales early-stage African technology ventures to $10M ARR in 24 months. Powered by 6 Figure Ventures, it provides operational partnership, strategic capital access, industry-specific expertise, and customer API access to millions of users through a 12-month residency program targeting founders with existing MVPs and revenue above $50,000 USD annually.
- Hornet's Nest Pitch Day
Quantifiable outcome
- Scale ventures to $10M ARR in 24 months
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Side B Partners
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Side B Partners technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Side B Partners partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Andreessen HorowitzminorListed as seeking new partners in technology services and LP relationships. Part of the Side B venture studio partner ecosystem targeting technology companies.
- AtlassianminorListed as seeking new partners in technology services and LP relationships. Part of the Side B venture studio partner ecosystem targeting technology companies.
- VisaminorListed as seeking new partners in LP relationships with Corporate Venture Capital interests. Africa-focused Visa initiatives.
- AccentureminorListed as seeking new partners in technology services. Global professional services company with technology capabilities.
- BCGminorListed as seeking new partners in technology services. Global management consulting firm.
- MTN GroupminorListed as seeking new partners in LP relationships with Corporate Venture Capital interests. Pan-African telecom company.
- Junior Achievement UgandacoreCSR partnership through Job Shadow Program. Side B hosted over 40 high school students throughout the week, mentoring them in real day-to-day work life. Partner schools include Greenhill Academy, Kololo Senior School, Mengo Senior School, Wampeewo NtakkeSS, and Seeta Highschool.
- Tanya InnovationsminorProduced the Inter-University Practitioner's Lecture Series, sponsored by Side B. Draws practical local business experience to the classroom offering 'experiential learning'.
- Junior AchievementcoreCSR partnership bridging academic knowledge and professional experience through Job Shadow Program. Empowers students with hands-on exposure to career paths, skill building, and networking aligned with Side B's mission to nurture leaders.
- Dubai Chamber of CommerceminorFormer CEO Atib Nasser presented at the Inaugural Inter-University Practitioner's Lecture Series on 'The Development Journey Of UAE (Dubai), Experiences and Insights'.
- Cavendish UniversityminorPartner for Inter-University Practitioner's Lecture Series and Fellowship program, providing experiential learning opportunities.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Side B Partners competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Y Combinator: Largest global accelerator with growing presence in Africa through partnerships and remote batches. Competes for the same early-stage founder pool with a 7% standard equity ask and far stronger validation signal.
- Plug and Play Tech Centers: Global innovation platform and venture studio that runs corporate-partnered accelerator programs. Comparable venture-building approach and corporate partnership model (Standard Chartered Ventures, MTN-type integrations).
Emerging players
- Startupbootcamp Africa: Global accelerator network with Africa-focused programs providing structured mentorship and capital. Comparable accelerator-style programming for African tech founders, though typically with lower equity than Side B.
Direct peers
- Antler: Global venture studio/early-stage investor that co-creates startups from day zero with structured residency programs. Directly comparable to Side B's hybrid studio-accelerator model, though operating at much larger scale globally with an Africa presence.
- Savannah Fund: Pan-African early-stage venture capital firm based in East Africa that invests in technology startups across the region. Comparable target market and founder profile, though Savannah operates a pure fund model rather than a studio.
- 6 Figure Ventures: Direct capital partner powering the Side B Venture Studio; takes the 20-35% equity stake in portfolio companies. Comparable as an Africa-focused early-stage investor, and structurally intertwined with Side B.
Regional players
- TLcom Capital: Africa-focused early-stage venture capital firm with deep presence in Nigeria, Kenya, and other African markets. Comparable target geography and seed-stage focus; competes for similar founder pool.
- Renew Capital: Early-stage investment firm focused on African tech startups with presence in East Africa. Comparable in target geography and founder stage but operates as a fund-of-funds/portfolio investor rather than a studio builder.
Others
- Africa's Talking: Pan-African communications API platform (SMS, USSD, voice, payments) frequently cited as core infrastructure for African tech startups. Comparable as an enabling ecosystem partner that complements venture studios building mobile-first African products.
- Norrsken Foundation: East Africa-based impact investor and ecosystem builder that supports African entrepreneurs. Comparable as a regional ecosystem enabler, but operates through grants and impact investments rather than a venture studio model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Side B Partners social profiles
Digital presenceSide B Partners financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Side B Partners leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Side B Partners funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Side B Partners M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Side B Partners
What does Side B Partners do?
Side B Partners runs a hybrid venture studio-accelerator and advisory firm that helps scale early-stage African technology ventures toward $10M ARR in 24 months. The Side B Venture Studio, powered by 6 Figure Ventures, provides operational partnership, strategic capital, and customer API access, complemented by Hornet's Nest Pitch Day events for investor matchmaking and standalone early-stage advisory, research, and project design services for corporates, investors, and foundations.
Is Side B Partners a public or private company?
Side B Partners is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Side B Partners founded?
Side B Partners was founded in 2012. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Side B Partners based?
Side B Partners is headquartered in Kampala, Uganda, in the Africa region.
How does Side B Partners make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Venture Studio Residency Fees are the primary driver. The others are equity Participation, early-Stage Advisory Fees and early-Stage Investment Support.
Who are Side B Partners's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Y Combinator and Plug and Play Tech Centers. Startupbootcamp Africa is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Antler, Savannah Fund and 6 Figure Ventures. Regional players are TLcom Capital and Renew Capital. Others are Africa's Talking and Norrsken Foundation.
Does Side B Partners have an API?
No public API is recorded for Side B Partners.
What industry is Side B Partners in?
Side B Partners's product category is Venture Studio & Early-Stage Investment Advisory. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSANAAAH, Venture Studios / Company Builders, with a secondary code of FSANAHAC, Corporate Venture Studios & Incubators (Build/launch ventures). Its NAICS code is 54161 and its SIC code is 8742.