Accion

Accion is a global nonprofit organization founded in 1961 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, dedicated to promoting financial inclusion. The organization works to provide underserved individuals and small businesses with access to essential financial tools that can enhance their lives and foster community growth. Accion engages with financial service providers to deliver affordable, high-quality solutions at scale, challenging industry norms and advocating for regulatory changes to support financial accessibility. Through its Venture Lab initiative, Accion invests in innovative fintech startups that utilize technology and new business models to improve the quality and reduce the cost of financial services for those traditionally excluded from the formal economy. The organization offers both financial investments and strategic support, including governance and operational assistance, to help these startups grow and succeed. Accion's commitment to enhancing financial health and capabilities aims to create a more inclusive financial landscape globally.

Njord Andrewes

Managing Partner, Accion Digital Transformation Fund

Paarul Dudeja

Investment Director - Asia

Sebastian Molina Gasman

Investor

Ashley Lewis

Director, Africa - Accion Venture Lab

Paolo Limcaoco

Principal, Accion Venture Lab

Amee Parbhoo

Managing Partner, Accion Venture Lab

Vikas Raj

Managing Director, Accion Venture Lab

Michael Schlein

President and CEO

Raliat Sunmonu

Vice President and Program Manager, MEA

Past deals in Kenya

Lami

Seed Round in 2021
Developer of a digital insurance platform intended to integrate insurance into businesses. The company's platform allows easy integration across sectors to offer insurance products through a seamless digital experience, providing clients with automated underwriting, speeding up claims, reducing claims ratios, and increasing profitability.

Apollo Agriculture

Series A in 2020
Apollo Agriculture is a company based in Nairobi, Kenya, that provides essential financial and technical support to smallholder farmers in emerging markets. Founded in 2015, it offers customized farming loans that enable farmers to purchase vital inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and crop insurance. Utilizing agronomic machine learning, remote sensing, and mobile technology, Apollo assesses credit risk and tailors its services to each farmer's specific circumstances, enhancing their productivity and profitability. By leveraging satellite and soil data, along with insights into farmer behavior, Apollo aims to double farm yields and promote sustainable agricultural practices. The company's innovative approach combines technology with expert advice, positioning it as a key player in the agricultural sector.

Apollo Agriculture

Seed Round in 2016
Apollo Agriculture is a company based in Nairobi, Kenya, that provides essential financial and technical support to smallholder farmers in emerging markets. Founded in 2015, it offers customized farming loans that enable farmers to purchase vital inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and crop insurance. Utilizing agronomic machine learning, remote sensing, and mobile technology, Apollo assesses credit risk and tailors its services to each farmer's specific circumstances, enhancing their productivity and profitability. By leveraging satellite and soil data, along with insights into farmer behavior, Apollo aims to double farm yields and promote sustainable agricultural practices. The company's innovative approach combines technology with expert advice, positioning it as a key player in the agricultural sector.

Umati Capital

Seed Round in 2014
Umati Capital (Kenya) Limited is a non-bank financial institution established in 2012 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. The company specializes in providing innovative financial solutions, particularly credit and payment technologies, to sectors such as agri-business supply chains, retailer value chains, and fast-moving consumer goods manufacturers. It aims to enhance access to finance for small-scale suppliers, trading companies, and industrial processors through its proprietary technology and branchless financial services. Additionally, Umati Capital offers a lending platform that includes invoice discounting and other working capital solutions tailored for small and medium-sized enterprises in East Africa, enabling them to secure necessary funding for growth.

Kopo Kopo

Series A in 2013
Kopo Kopo Inc. is a merchant services platform based in Nairobi, Kenya, that facilitates mobile payment acceptance and provides additional services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Established in 2010, the company leverages the M-PESA platform to help businesses, ranging from salons to restaurants, transition from cash-based transactions to digital payments. Kopo Kopo's secure platform enables real-time processing and analysis of mobile payments while offering a comprehensive online dashboard for managing transactions and settling funds directly into bank accounts. Additionally, the company provides targeted promotional and loyalty tools, enhancing customer engagement and supporting businesses in their growth. Kopo Kopo also offers a suite of tools for merchant acquirers, including banks and mobile network operators, further contributing to the advancement of digital economies in East Africa.
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