The ANAVA fund of funds managed by Smart Capital has just announced its pledge to invest pound 4.5 million in a new underlying fund called GO LIVE FUND, managed by GO BIG Partners. This investment is part of the project to support start-ups, jointly funded by the World Bank, the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC) and the German Development Bank (KfW). GO LIVE FUND is an pound 8 million fund with a first closing of pound 6 million. The fund aims to invest in 36 B2B start-ups in the early development phase with proposals that provide real solutions to real problems. The fund will target strategic and high-impact sectors, including agri-technology (AgriTech), clean technology (CleanTech), biotechnology (BioTech), health technology (HealthTech), and cybersecurity. "Subscribing to the 6th childfund (underlying fund) GO LIVE FUND underlines our willingness to support innovation and Tunisian start-ups by providing them with the levers they need to grow and go international. We firmly believe that these inv estments will help position Tunisia as a major player in the global start-up ecosystem," said CDC Director General Néjia Gharbi. Acting Managing Director of Smart Capital, Tarek Triki added: "Our partnership with GO BIG Partners through the GO LIVE FUND consolidates our efforts to develop the start-up ecosystem in Tunisia. We are committed to supporting innovative start-ups that create disruptive, high-impact solutions." "This partnership underpins our shared vision of encouraging innovation and making a transformative impact in Tunisia. Our goal is not only to offer funding to the startups in our portfolio, but also to provide them with strategic advice, a vast industrial network and numerous opportunities for growth and expansion on a global scale," said GO LIVE FUND representative Aymen Mbarek. ANAVA is the first Euro-denominated fund of funds in Tunisia. It is one of the key pillars of the national "Startup Tunisia" programme, which aims to make Tunisia a hub for innovation and start-ups at the crossro ads of the Mediterranean, the MENA region and Africa. The fund is managed by Smart Capital, a company approved by the Conseil du Marché Financier (CMF) and mandated by the Tunisian government to roll out its national Startup Tunisia programme. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse