Eloho Omame is on a mission to rewrite the rules for women entrepreneurs in Africa. As the co-founder of FirstCheck Africa, a venture firm dedicated to funding early-stage women-led startups, Eloho is leading the charge to create more opportunities for women in tech and business. Her story is one of vision, persistence, and a deep commitment to closing the gender gap in Africa’s startup ecosystem.
Growing up in Nigeria, Eloho’s passion for entrepreneurship and business was evident early on. After earning her MBA from London Business School, she embarked on a career that spanned finance, venture capital, and leadership roles at some of Africa’s top institutions. But it was during her time as the Managing Director of Endeavor Nigeria, a global organization supporting high-impact entrepreneurs, that she realized just how wide the funding gap was for women-led startups in Africa.
In 2021, Eloho co-founded FirstCheck Africa with Odunayo Eweniyi, another powerhouse in the African tech space. Their goal was simple but ambitious: to invest in women entrepreneurs from the start, giving them the early-stage capital they need to build successful businesses. FirstCheck Africa isn’t just about writing checks—it’s about creating a supportive ecosystem where women can thrive, scale their ventures, and become leaders in their industries.
Eloho’s impact can already be seen across the continent. FirstCheck Africa has invested in a growing number of women-led startups, spanning industries like fintech, healthcare, and education. These startups are not only breaking barriers but also solving some of Africa’s most pressing challenges. And for many of these women founders, FirstCheck Africa has been a critical lifeline, offering them the mentorship and support needed to navigate the complexities of building a business.
But Eloho’s journey to building FirstCheck Africa hasn’t been without its challenges. Convincing investors to back women founders in a male-dominated space hasn’t always been easy, and raising capital for a fund focused on gender equality required resilience and determination. Still, Eloho has persevered, using each obstacle as fuel to push forward and advocate for greater diversity in venture funding.
Under Eloho’s leadership, FirstCheck Africa is setting the stage for a new generation of African women entrepreneurs. The firm’s investments are already paying off, with many of its portfolio companies gaining traction, raising subsequent rounds of funding, and scaling their operations. FirstCheck Africa’s success is proof that when women are given the right tools and resources, they can lead transformative ventures.
Eloho’s belief in the power of women-led businesses is backed by numbers. Studies show that women-run companies often outperform their male-led counterparts in terms of profitability and sustainability. By investing in women, Eloho is not just advocating for equality—she’s betting on better outcomes for Africa’s startup ecosystem as a whole.
Today, Eloho Omame is seen as a trailblazer for women in tech and venture capital. Through FirstCheck Africa, she is creating a new narrative for what is possible when women have access to capital and the chance to lead. Her work is laying the foundation for a more inclusive, dynamic, and prosperous future for Africa’s startups.
With each investment, Eloho is proving that empowering women entrepreneurs is not just good for business—it’s essential for Africa’s growth and success. And with FirstCheck Africa at the forefront, the future looks brighter than ever for women-led startups across the continent.
