December 14, 2018: The East Africa Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EAVCA) announced the winners of the inaugural EAVCA Industry Awards. These awards seek “to recognize those that have contributed to shaping and growing the local industry” by awarding individuals, deal teams, and advisors in nine categories. ECP is honored to have been given the “Exit Award” for its late 2017 exit of its Java House investment.

Java House grew substantially during ECP’s five-year investment, with restaurant outlets increasing fourfold and employees nearly tripling. ECP worked with Java House to marry growth with quality by enhancing and formalizing policies and building local management, in large part through internal promotion. Java House is an example of the positive effects that can stem from a mutually beneficial relationship between an investor and its portfolio companies.