African founders seeking investment are increasingly turning to digital tools designed to improve how they communicate with potential backers, manage sensitive information and navigate fundraising processes. One such platform is Pitchwise, a virtual data room and document sharing service developed by Bantaba, a Stockholm based technology company founded by Gambian entrepreneur Lamin Darboe.
The platform enables startups, investors and business teams to securely share pitch decks, financial documents and other confidential materials through controlled digital links. It provides founders with insights into how investors interact with shared documents, including information on when materials are opened, which sections receive attention and whether documents are revisited.
According to Bantaba, Pitchwise was created to address challenges faced by founders who often share fundraising materials without clear visibility into how those documents are being reviewed. The platform offers features including access controls, email verification, document tracking, encryption and watermarking tools aimed at improving security during investment discussions.
The company positions Pitchwise as an accessible alternative to established enterprise document sharing platforms, offering similar functionality at a lower cost for startups and smaller organisations. The service is designed for fundraising activities but is also used in mergers and acquisitions, business development discussions, due diligence processes and investor reporting.
Darboe said the idea emerged from observing two challenges within the startup ecosystem: founders’ need for greater transparency during fundraising and the difficulty many early stage companies face in accessing sophisticated investor management tools.
“Founders want to understand what happens after they share a document, including who has accessed it, what information received attention and when they should follow up,” Darboe said.
The issue of protecting confidential business information has become increasingly important as startups share detailed financial projections, market strategies and growth plans with prospective investors and partners. Pitchwise highlights the need for founders to maintain greater control over sensitive information throughout investment negotiations.
While larger companies have historically relied on established virtual data room providers for major transactions, smaller businesses and early stage ventures have often had fewer affordable options. Pitchwise is seeking to address this gap by providing tools typically associated with larger corporate transactions to startups and emerging businesses.
The platform reports that more than 5,000 companies have used its services, with over 15,000 documents shared and more than 60,000 tracked document views recorded. The company says its users include startups, venture capital firms, investment platforms, family offices and advisory firms operating across different markets.
The growth of platforms such as Pitchwise reflects broader changes within Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape, where technology companies are increasingly building infrastructure to support fundraising, investment and business expansion. Across the continent, entrepreneurs continue to seek more efficient ways to connect with global investors while retaining ownership and control of their business information.
African startups have historically faced challenges linked to limited access to capital, fragmented investment networks and the complexity of cross border fundraising. Digital platforms that improve investor engagement and transaction processes are becoming part of a wider ecosystem supporting entrepreneurs across different regions.
Pitchwise operates through a subscription model that includes a free option for basic document sharing, alongside paid plans starting at US$13 per month and professional packages at US$24 per month, with annual payment options available.
The company says it intends to expand its presence across Africa, North America and Europe, reflecting the increasingly global nature of startup investment networks. While fundraising remains a central focus, the platform’s wider applications in corporate transactions and advisory services indicate the growing demand for secure digital infrastructure among businesses of different sizes.
As African entrepreneurs continue to engage with investors locally and internationally, platforms focused on transparency, security and accessibility are becoming increasingly relevant in shaping how businesses present opportunities and build trust in investment relationships.
