Ido Sum, a long-standing partner at TLcom Capital, has officially stepped down from his role after an impactful 14-year tenure at the Africa-focused venture capital firm. Sum joined TLcom in 2011, operating primarily from its London office, and has since played a pivotal role in steering the firm’s investment strategy and portfolio development across sub-Saharan Africa.
During his time at TLcom, Sum helped build a robust portfolio of tech-enabled companies, ranging from early-stage startups to growth-stage ventures. His investment footprint includes some of the continent’s most prominent tech successes such as Andela, FairMoney, uLesson, Twiga, Zone, and Autochek, each of which has significantly contributed to Africa’s evolving digital economy.
As one of TLcom’s five partners, Sum was deeply involved in the strategic direction and operational support of several portfolio companies. He served on the boards of Zone, a blockchain-powered payment infrastructure provider; uLesson, a leading edtech platform in Nigeria; Littlefish, a South African fintech startup; and Ilara Health, which delivers affordable diagnostic solutions in Kenya. His board roles reflect a hands-on approach to venture capital, emphasizing mentorship, governance, and long-term value creation.
Reflecting on his journey, Sum shared:
I am proud of what we have built at TLcom over the last 14 years. It has been a privilege to work alongside such a talented team and to have supported and worked side-by-side with some of Africa’s most audacious entrepreneurs. I am confident that the firm will continue to lead the investment pack, and I look forward to my next chapter.
Before joining TLcom, Sum was already immersed in the tech and entrepreneurial ecosystem. He co-founded a mobile broadband operator in East Africa and ran a consulting firm in Israel that supported technology startups and incubators, experiences that laid the foundation for his later success in venture capital.
Maurizio Caio, TLcom’s Managing Partner, expressed his appreciation for Sum’s contributions:
We thank Ido for his commitment and dedication over the past 14 years and for his contribution to build TLcom as the preferred partner for Africa’s most ambitious entrepreneurs and the wider African tech ecosystem. It has been a pleasure working with him, and we wish him the very best for his next endeavours.
Although Sum has not yet revealed his next professional move, his deep expertise in African tech, venture capital, and entrepreneurship suggests he will remain a key figure in the continent’s innovation ecosystem. Whether through launching a new fund, taking on advisory roles, or returning to entrepreneurial ventures, Sum’s next chapter is likely to be as influential as his last.
