Accion

Accion, established in 1961, is a global non-profit organization headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Its mission is to provide access to financial tools and services for underserved individuals, small businesses, and communities, enabling them to grow and thrive. Accion achieves this by catalyzing financial service providers to deliver affordable, high-quality solutions at scale. The organization supports these providers through advisory services, targeted coaching, and startup support, as well as providing high-caliber governance through board oversight. Additionally, Accion invests in and supports innovative fintech startups that drive financial inclusion through its Venture Lab initiative. This involves providing flexible financial and non-financial support, including investment capital and strategic operational assistance, to seed-stage startups leveraging technology and new business models to improve access to, and the quality of, financial services for the underserved.

Njord Andrewes

Managing Partner, Accion Digital Transformation Fund

Nethra Bhat

Director and Senior Investment Officer

John Fischer

Chief Investment Officer

Sebastian Molina Gasman

Investor

Ashley Lewis

Partner

Paolo Limcaoco

Principal

Amee Parbhoo

Managing Partner

Rahil Rangwala

Managing Partner, Accion Venture Lab

Phillip Riese

Treasurer

Michael Schlein

CEO and President

Raliat Sunmonu

Vice President and Program Manager, MEA

Adelina Dasso

Partner, Latam

Past deals in SME

First Circle

Series B in 2024
First Circle is a financial services company based in Taguig, Philippines, founded in 2015. It focuses on providing consumer lending, mortgages, and asset-based lending services, specifically tailored for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Southeast Asia. The company has developed an online financing platform that offers collateral-free short-term loans and trade financing to support the growth of businesses. By leveraging advanced data analytics and a user-friendly online account system, First Circle aims to enhance access to funding for SMEs, empowering business owners to expand beyond their immediate networks. Additionally, the company offers dedicated customer support and resources to foster a community among entrepreneurs, facilitating long-term growth and opportunity.

FlexiLoans

Series C in 2024
FlexiLoans is a digital lending platform founded in 2016, headquartered in Mumbai, India. It specializes in providing quick, flexible loans to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that lack credit history or adequate collateral, enabling growth opportunities often overlooked by traditional banking channels.

Amartha

Venture Round in 2024
Amartha is a microfinance technology platform dedicated to fostering economic growth at the grassroots level by facilitating connections between micro and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and investors. The platform enables entrepreneurs, particularly in rural areas, to access microfinance loans through user-friendly mobile applications and websites. By bridging the gap between potential lenders and borrowers, Amartha aims to create equal opportunities for prosperity, thereby contributing to the overall development of local economies.

Cashinvoice

Series A in 2024
Cashinvoice is a digital marketplace that unlocks supply chain finance for small businesses. They provide a technology platform that links financial institutions, large corporations, and their MSME supply chain partners to extend working capital by offering embedded lending products that grow and scale. Cashinvoice's technologies enable corporations to accelerate their transformation, modernize and mobilize their finance team's operations, and maximize their business performance.

bababos

Seed Round in 2023
Bababos is a supply chain management platform that facilitates small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) manufacturers in accessing a diverse range of high-quality raw materials, including polymers, chemicals, and metal products like steel. By connecting buyers and sellers, Bababos simplifies the procurement process, allowing manufacturers to avoid the complexities of managing multiple suppliers. The platform digitizes administrative tasks, streamlining the buying experience and enhancing overall efficiency. Additionally, Bababos offers flexible payment options that alleviate financial pressures on manufacturers, enabling them to focus on their core operations of producing high-quality products. Through its services, Bababos significantly improves the supply chain dynamics for SME producers.

CredRight

Venture Round in 2023
CredRight is a data-driven lending platform that specializes in providing unsecured loans to micro, small, and medium enterprises. The company enables users to register online, upload necessary documents, and apply for loans conveniently from any location, significantly reducing the time required to secure funding. By streamlining the loan application process, CredRight facilitates access to collateral-free working capital loans, making it easier for small businesses to meet their financial needs. The platform's focus on efficiency and user experience positions it as a valuable resource for entrepreneurs seeking quick and hassle-free financing solutions.

Fairbanc

Seed Round in 2022
Fairbanc is an AI-powered online payments platform based in San Francisco, California, designed specifically for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets. The platform provides access to credit without the need for collateral or a credit history. By leveraging digital footprints, such as transaction histories and mobile data, Fairbanc offers instant digital credit lines that SMEs can use to purchase inventory from approved suppliers. This innovative approach not only facilitates easier payment processes but also helps retail shop owners increase sales by up to 20% while allowing them to develop a credit history. Additionally, suppliers benefit from more consistent order cycles and instant payments upon delivery, enhancing their sales opportunities. Fairbanc's gender-intelligent ecosystem aims to eliminate the limitations of cash transactions and empower SMEs across various sectors.

MyRobin.id

Seed Round in 2022
MyRobin.id is an Indonesian talent hub established in 2019. It offers pre-screened workers on flexible contracts to businesses, handling recruitment, paperwork, payments, and insurance for a streamlined hiring process.

Annapurna Finance

Private Equity Round in 2021
Annapurna Finance is a microfinance company dedicated to the financial and economic upliftment of underserved women and economically backward clients. The firm focuses on expanding microfinance operations in areas that remain outside the formal financial system, providing essential financial and technical support to help clients develop entrepreneurial skills and engage in business activities. Annapurna Finance offers a range of services, including micro-loans for clean water, sanitation, home improvement, support for widowed families, and small businesses. Additionally, the company provides customized insurance plans tailored to the specific needs of its clients, ensuring that they receive the financial assistance necessary for economic empowerment throughout various stages of their lives.

Cashinvoice

Seed Round in 2021
Cashinvoice is a digital marketplace that unlocks supply chain finance for small businesses. They provide a technology platform that links financial institutions, large corporations, and their MSME supply chain partners to extend working capital by offering embedded lending products that grow and scale. Cashinvoice's technologies enable corporations to accelerate their transformation, modernize and mobilize their finance team's operations, and maximize their business performance.

CredRight

Venture Round in 2021
CredRight is a data-driven lending platform that specializes in providing unsecured loans to micro, small, and medium enterprises. The company enables users to register online, upload necessary documents, and apply for loans conveniently from any location, significantly reducing the time required to secure funding. By streamlining the loan application process, CredRight facilitates access to collateral-free working capital loans, making it easier for small businesses to meet their financial needs. The platform's focus on efficiency and user experience positions it as a valuable resource for entrepreneurs seeking quick and hassle-free financing solutions.

Dinie

Seed Round in 2021
Dinie is a pioneering fintech company specializing in embedded lending infrastructure tailored for B2B platforms in Brazil, particularly focusing on the underserved micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) market. The company simplifies the process for digital platforms to offer instant revolving lines of credit and B2B payment solutions through straightforward API integration. By providing flexible financial services with pre-approved credit limits, Dinie empowers businesses to access the financial tools necessary for their growth and success. Its innovative approach positions Dinie at the forefront of the embedded lending model and open finance landscape in Brazil.

Lidya

Series B in 2021
Lidya is a financial services platform based in Lagos, Nigeria, founded in 2016, that aims to enhance access to credit and finance for small and medium enterprises. The company offers a mobile-first platform that allows businesses to open accounts, manage funds, and build credit profiles efficiently, often within 15 minutes. Utilizing proprietary credit scoring algorithms, Lidya enables business owners to access essential credit and working capital, including invoice financing, to support their growth and financial planning. Additionally, the platform includes tools and dashboards designed to help businesses manage their receivables and cash flow, thereby improving their credit scores and unlocking higher credit limits at more affordable rates.

Fairbanc

Seed Round in 2021
Fairbanc is an AI-powered online payments platform based in San Francisco, California, designed specifically for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets. The platform provides access to credit without the need for collateral or a credit history. By leveraging digital footprints, such as transaction histories and mobile data, Fairbanc offers instant digital credit lines that SMEs can use to purchase inventory from approved suppliers. This innovative approach not only facilitates easier payment processes but also helps retail shop owners increase sales by up to 20% while allowing them to develop a credit history. Additionally, suppliers benefit from more consistent order cycles and instant payments upon delivery, enhancing their sales opportunities. Fairbanc's gender-intelligent ecosystem aims to eliminate the limitations of cash transactions and empower SMEs across various sectors.

NOW Money

Venture Round in 2021
NOW Money is a fintech company that leverages mobile banking technology to offer financial services to the unbanked population in the Middle East. By providing accounts and remittance solutions, NOW Money aims to include individuals who are currently excluded from the financial system. The company focuses on low-income migrant workers in the Gulf region, offering them access to essential financial tools, including international money transfers and currency conversion services, at a reduced cost. This approach not only facilitates financial inclusion but also helps users save significantly on remittance expenses.

TerraMagna

Seed Round in 2020
TerraMagna is a Brazilian fintech company specializing in innovative financial solutions for the agriculture sector. It offers personal loans, CFB lending, embedded buy-now-pay-later services for agricultural inputs, and crop-collateralized financing, all accessible via its web platform. TerraMagna aims to strengthen the entire agricultural value chain by providing tailored credit options, reducing dependence on traditional financiers, and promoting sustainable food security.

SMECorner

Series B in 2020
SMECorner is an Indian financial services firm established in 2014, headquartered in Mumbai. It specializes in providing swift access to business loans for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through its online platform. The company combines machine learning, data science, and artificial intelligence to evaluate loan applications, using both traditional and alternative data sources. SMECorner offers two primary products: unsecured business loans and loans against property, aiming to bridge India's SME lending gap.

Prayaan Capital

Seed Round in 2020
Prayaan Capital, established in 2018 and headquartered in Chennai, India, specializes in providing financial services to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The company offers a range of credit facilities, including secured and unsecured loans, machinery loans, and financing for small stores and manufacturing units. In addition to lending, Prayaan Capital provides mobile-based solutions, insurance services, business advisory, and financial health tracking tools to support the growth and development of MSMEs.

Flex Finance

Pre Seed Round in 2019
Flex Finance is a spend management platform specifically designed to assist small and medium-sized enterprises in Africa with managing their finances. Recognizing that a significant number of businesses in the region fail due to inadequate financial management, Flex provides a solution that streamlines expense tracking and budgeting through an intuitive user interface. The platform offers features such as digital requisitions, bulk payment transfers, and comprehensive expense management tools, empowering businesses to digitize their daily operations and better control their spending. With high digital literacy among African businesses and a willingness to adopt digital solutions, Flex Finance aims to enhance financial management practices, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and growth of these enterprises.

Lulalend

Series A in 2019
LulaLend is more than a company. It’s a belief in the power of small business, making a difference, building a better solution and striving for excellence. We work hard to empower businesses across South Africa with the funds they need to grow, and we have a great time doing it!

ftcash

Series A in 2019
ftcash is a fast-growing fintech company empowering micro-merchants and small businesses globally. It offers credit facilities using digital payment transaction data, psychometric analysis, and other factors to assess creditworthiness. ftcash partners with banks and financial institutions to provide these services.

SMECorner

Series A in 2019
SMECorner is an Indian financial services firm established in 2014, headquartered in Mumbai. It specializes in providing swift access to business loans for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through its online platform. The company combines machine learning, data science, and artificial intelligence to evaluate loan applications, using both traditional and alternative data sources. SMECorner offers two primary products: unsecured business loans and loans against property, aiming to bridge India's SME lending gap.

Destácame

Series A in 2019
Destácame is a Chilean fintech company that develops an online platform focused on improving financial inclusion and literacy. It offers tools for managing past-due debts, credit history, consumer loans, savings, and other financial health aspects, empowering individuals to better handle their finances.

Self Financial

Series B in 2018
Self Financial, Inc., headquartered in Austin, Texas, operates a mobile application designed to assist individuals in building credit and saving money. Founded in 2014 and originally known as Self Lender, the company provides financial tools such as the Self Credit Builder Account and the Self Visa Credit Card. These offerings allow customers to create a credit builder account that facilitates the establishment of a positive payment history while simultaneously saving money, all without the need for a hard credit inquiry. Targeting those who are new to credit or lack access to traditional financial products, Self Financial aims to enhance economic inclusion and financial resilience through user-friendly solutions. The company's mission is to make credit-building accessible and straightforward, helping individuals improve their financial futures.

Self Financial

Series B in 2018
Self Financial, Inc., headquartered in Austin, Texas, operates a mobile application designed to assist individuals in building credit and saving money. Founded in 2014 and originally known as Self Lender, the company provides financial tools such as the Self Credit Builder Account and the Self Visa Credit Card. These offerings allow customers to create a credit builder account that facilitates the establishment of a positive payment history while simultaneously saving money, all without the need for a hard credit inquiry. Targeting those who are new to credit or lack access to traditional financial products, Self Financial aims to enhance economic inclusion and financial resilience through user-friendly solutions. The company's mission is to make credit-building accessible and straightforward, helping individuals improve their financial futures.

Tez Financial Services

Seed Round in 2018
Tez Financial Services Limited is a digital non-banking microfinance company based in Karachi, Pakistan, founded in 2017. It offers a comprehensive smartphone application that provides financial services to the unbanked and under-banked population. The platform aggregates various financial products, including nano credit services through Tez Advance, insurance distribution via Tez Bima, and investment solutions through Tez Sarmaya. By utilizing algorithms and artificial intelligence, the application analyzes users' digital footprints, social behaviors, and consumption patterns to facilitate access to credit, savings, insurance, and investment options. This innovative approach aims to address the financial needs of individuals seeking short-term liquidity and security in health and life insurance.

SMECorner

Seed Round in 2018
SMECorner is an Indian financial services firm established in 2014, headquartered in Mumbai. It specializes in providing swift access to business loans for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through its online platform. The company combines machine learning, data science, and artificial intelligence to evaluate loan applications, using both traditional and alternative data sources. SMECorner offers two primary products: unsecured business loans and loans against property, aiming to bridge India's SME lending gap.

Lumkani

Seed Round in 2018
Lumkani is a South Africa-based company founded in 2014, specializing in developing early-warning IoT heat sensors to mitigate the risks associated with fires in urban informal settlements. The company aims to enhance community resilience by combining technology with financial services, particularly addressing the insurance needs of underserved populations. Lumkani's innovative mesh networked fire detectors are designed for informal homes and enable community-wide alerts during fire incidents, significantly limiting fire spread. Currently, these detectors are installed in over 50,000 homes across South Africa, as well as in Bangladesh and Kenya. In 2017, Lumkani launched a pioneering fire detection and fire insurance bundle in partnership with Hollard Insurance, providing financial support to individuals affected by fires. As Lumkani expands its distribution platform, it continues to identify and address the protection gap by introducing additional relevant insurance products aimed at low-income customers.

CredRight

Seed Round in 2018
CredRight is a data-driven lending platform that specializes in providing unsecured loans to micro, small, and medium enterprises. The company enables users to register online, upload necessary documents, and apply for loans conveniently from any location, significantly reducing the time required to secure funding. By streamlining the loan application process, CredRight facilitates access to collateral-free working capital loans, making it easier for small businesses to meet their financial needs. The platform's focus on efficiency and user experience positions it as a valuable resource for entrepreneurs seeking quick and hassle-free financing solutions.

Lidya

Series A in 2018
Lidya is a financial services platform based in Lagos, Nigeria, founded in 2016, that aims to enhance access to credit and finance for small and medium enterprises. The company offers a mobile-first platform that allows businesses to open accounts, manage funds, and build credit profiles efficiently, often within 15 minutes. Utilizing proprietary credit scoring algorithms, Lidya enables business owners to access essential credit and working capital, including invoice financing, to support their growth and financial planning. Additionally, the platform includes tools and dashboards designed to help businesses manage their receivables and cash flow, thereby improving their credit scores and unlocking higher credit limits at more affordable rates.

SmartMEI

Seed Round in 2017
SmartMEI is a Brazilian company that offers banking and automated accounting solutions specifically designed for micro-entrepreneurs. Founded by two Brazilian graduates from Stanford's MBA program, SmartMEI addresses the foundational needs of micro-business owners by providing a comprehensive business-in-a-box solution. This platform simplifies essential tasks such as ensuring compliance with government regulations, managing financial transactions, and organizing legal and fiscal obligations. Through its application, users can manage bank accounts, issue invoices, and handle payments and receipts efficiently. SmartMEI's services are currently utilized in over 3,500 cities across Brazil, helping entrepreneurs streamline their operations and focus on growing their businesses.

ESCALA EDUCACION

Seed Round in 2017
ESCALA EDUCACION S.A.S is a social enterprise based in Medellin, Colombia, founded in 2015. The company focuses on promoting access to higher education and financial inclusion by offering innovative savings plans to employees of its business partners. These plans allow employees to save for their own education or for their children's education through payroll deductions. ESCALA EDUCACION enhances these savings with company matching funds and provides additional benefits such as tuition discounts, scholarships, and career counseling. By partnering with various companies, ESCALA serves as their primary educational benefits provider, making higher education more accessible and affordable for employees.

Self Financial

Series A in 2017
Self Financial, Inc., headquartered in Austin, Texas, operates a mobile application designed to assist individuals in building credit and saving money. Founded in 2014 and originally known as Self Lender, the company provides financial tools such as the Self Credit Builder Account and the Self Visa Credit Card. These offerings allow customers to create a credit builder account that facilitates the establishment of a positive payment history while simultaneously saving money, all without the need for a hard credit inquiry. Targeting those who are new to credit or lack access to traditional financial products, Self Financial aims to enhance economic inclusion and financial resilience through user-friendly solutions. The company's mission is to make credit-building accessible and straightforward, helping individuals improve their financial futures.

Self Financial

Series A in 2017
Self Financial, Inc., headquartered in Austin, Texas, operates a mobile application designed to assist individuals in building credit and saving money. Founded in 2014 and originally known as Self Lender, the company provides financial tools such as the Self Credit Builder Account and the Self Visa Credit Card. These offerings allow customers to create a credit builder account that facilitates the establishment of a positive payment history while simultaneously saving money, all without the need for a hard credit inquiry. Targeting those who are new to credit or lack access to traditional financial products, Self Financial aims to enhance economic inclusion and financial resilience through user-friendly solutions. The company's mission is to make credit-building accessible and straightforward, helping individuals improve their financial futures.

First Circle

Venture Round in 2017
First Circle is a financial services company based in Taguig, Philippines, founded in 2015. It focuses on providing consumer lending, mortgages, and asset-based lending services, specifically tailored for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Southeast Asia. The company has developed an online financing platform that offers collateral-free short-term loans and trade financing to support the growth of businesses. By leveraging advanced data analytics and a user-friendly online account system, First Circle aims to enhance access to funding for SMEs, empowering business owners to expand beyond their immediate networks. Additionally, the company offers dedicated customer support and resources to foster a community among entrepreneurs, facilitating long-term growth and opportunity.

NOW Money

Convertible Note in 2017
NOW Money is a fintech company that leverages mobile banking technology to offer financial services to the unbanked population in the Middle East. By providing accounts and remittance solutions, NOW Money aims to include individuals who are currently excluded from the financial system. The company focuses on low-income migrant workers in the Gulf region, offering them access to essential financial tools, including international money transfers and currency conversion services, at a reduced cost. This approach not only facilitates financial inclusion but also helps users save significantly on remittance expenses.

Lidya

Seed Round in 2017
Lidya is a financial services platform based in Lagos, Nigeria, founded in 2016, that aims to enhance access to credit and finance for small and medium enterprises. The company offers a mobile-first platform that allows businesses to open accounts, manage funds, and build credit profiles efficiently, often within 15 minutes. Utilizing proprietary credit scoring algorithms, Lidya enables business owners to access essential credit and working capital, including invoice financing, to support their growth and financial planning. Additionally, the platform includes tools and dashboards designed to help businesses manage their receivables and cash flow, thereby improving their credit scores and unlocking higher credit limits at more affordable rates.

Destácame

Seed Round in 2017
Destácame is a Chilean fintech company that develops an online platform focused on improving financial inclusion and literacy. It offers tools for managing past-due debts, credit history, consumer loans, savings, and other financial health aspects, empowering individuals to better handle their finances.

Aye Finance

Series B in 2016
Aye Finance is a finance company specializing in providing business loans to micro and small enterprises. It leverages technology and robust processes to deliver customer-centered financial services, aiming to facilitate better financial inclusion.

Lulalend

Seed Round in 2016
LulaLend is more than a company. It’s a belief in the power of small business, making a difference, building a better solution and striving for excellence. We work hard to empower businesses across South Africa with the funds they need to grow, and we have a great time doing it!

Aire

Venture Round in 2016
Aire is a credit assessment and automation platform based in London, founded in 2014. The company specializes in providing credit scores to consumers, facilitating their applications for loans and credit cards. Aire's innovative approach enhances underwriting decisions by leveraging advanced data analytics. In addition to its operations in the UK, the company has expanded its services to the US market. Customers in the UK can contact Experian UK for any data requests related to their credit files associated with Aire.

Destácame

Seed Round in 2016
Destácame is a Chilean fintech company that develops an online platform focused on improving financial inclusion and literacy. It offers tools for managing past-due debts, credit history, consumer loans, savings, and other financial health aspects, empowering individuals to better handle their finances.

StreetShares

Series A in 2016
StreetShares, Inc. is a technology company based in Reston, Virginia, that focuses on small business lending through its peer-to-peer marketplace. Founded in 2013, it provides a lending-as-a-service platform that enables community banks, credit unions, and other non-financial organizations to offer loans to small businesses efficiently. The company's platform supports a variety of lending products, including term loans and business bonds, facilitating a digital, omnichannel experience for both lenders and borrowers. With a commitment to streamlining the lending process, StreetShares features one-day underwriting, allowing financial institutions to connect with small business owners in a timely and hassle-free manner. The company has garnered recognition for its innovative approach and contributions to the field of small business banking.

Aire

Venture Round in 2016
Aire is a credit assessment and automation platform based in London, founded in 2014. The company specializes in providing credit scores to consumers, facilitating their applications for loans and credit cards. Aire's innovative approach enhances underwriting decisions by leveraging advanced data analytics. In addition to its operations in the UK, the company has expanded its services to the US market. Customers in the UK can contact Experian UK for any data requests related to their credit files associated with Aire.

Aye Finance

Series A in 2015
Aye Finance is a finance company specializing in providing business loans to micro and small enterprises. It leverages technology and robust processes to deliver customer-centered financial services, aiming to facilitate better financial inclusion.

SMECorner

Pre Seed Round in 2015
SMECorner is an Indian financial services firm established in 2014, headquartered in Mumbai. It specializes in providing swift access to business loans for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through its online platform. The company combines machine learning, data science, and artificial intelligence to evaluate loan applications, using both traditional and alternative data sources. SMECorner offers two primary products: unsecured business loans and loans against property, aiming to bridge India's SME lending gap.

StreetShares

Seed Round in 2015
StreetShares, Inc. is a technology company based in Reston, Virginia, that focuses on small business lending through its peer-to-peer marketplace. Founded in 2013, it provides a lending-as-a-service platform that enables community banks, credit unions, and other non-financial organizations to offer loans to small businesses efficiently. The company's platform supports a variety of lending products, including term loans and business bonds, facilitating a digital, omnichannel experience for both lenders and borrowers. With a commitment to streamlining the lending process, StreetShares features one-day underwriting, allowing financial institutions to connect with small business owners in a timely and hassle-free manner. The company has garnered recognition for its innovative approach and contributions to the field of small business banking.

Aye Finance

Seed Round in 2015
Aye Finance is a finance company specializing in providing business loans to micro and small enterprises. It leverages technology and robust processes to deliver customer-centered financial services, aiming to facilitate better financial inclusion.

Konfio

Convertible Note in 2014
Konfio is a financial services platform in Mexico that provides online lending and payment solutions for micro, small, and medium-sized businesses. It offers working capital and short-term loans, fixed-rate loans, corporate cards, and online payments. The platform uses a data-driven approach with proprietary analytics to measure creditworthiness and extend affordable credit to businesses underserved by traditional banks, supporting growth and productivity.

StreetShares

Seed Round in 2014
StreetShares, Inc. is a technology company based in Reston, Virginia, that focuses on small business lending through its peer-to-peer marketplace. Founded in 2013, it provides a lending-as-a-service platform that enables community banks, credit unions, and other non-financial organizations to offer loans to small businesses efficiently. The company's platform supports a variety of lending products, including term loans and business bonds, facilitating a digital, omnichannel experience for both lenders and borrowers. With a commitment to streamlining the lending process, StreetShares features one-day underwriting, allowing financial institutions to connect with small business owners in a timely and hassle-free manner. The company has garnered recognition for its innovative approach and contributions to the field of small business banking.

GO Finance

Seed Round in 2014
GO Finance Company Limited is a Tanzanian non-bank financial institution headquartered in Dar es Salaam. The company specializes in providing meso-finance services aimed at small and medium enterprises, particularly those involved in the distribution of fast-moving consumer goods. GO Finance offers a range of financial products, including working capital, short to medium-term loans, hire purchase, and insurance. A key feature of its service is GOBi, a mobile and cloud-based financial record-keeping tool that collects transaction data to facilitate credit risk assessment. This innovative approach allows micro, small, and medium enterprises to access digital data for informed credit decision-making, distinguishing it from traditional banking methods. In addition to financial services, GO Finance also focuses on enhancing the capacity of entrepreneurs through targeted training and access to information technology, thereby strengthening local businesses in East Africa's product distribution value chains.

StreetShares

Seed Round in 2014
StreetShares, Inc. is a technology company based in Reston, Virginia, that focuses on small business lending through its peer-to-peer marketplace. Founded in 2013, it provides a lending-as-a-service platform that enables community banks, credit unions, and other non-financial organizations to offer loans to small businesses efficiently. The company's platform supports a variety of lending products, including term loans and business bonds, facilitating a digital, omnichannel experience for both lenders and borrowers. With a commitment to streamlining the lending process, StreetShares features one-day underwriting, allowing financial institutions to connect with small business owners in a timely and hassle-free manner. The company has garnered recognition for its innovative approach and contributions to the field of small business banking.

Umati Capital

Seed Round in 2014
Umati Capital is a financial services start-up established in September 2012, dedicated to enhancing access to finance through innovative technology. As a non-bank financial institution, it specializes in providing credit and payment solutions, primarily targeting agri-business supply chains, retailer value chains, and fast-moving consumer goods manufacturers. The company employs proprietary technology to deliver branchless financial services, catering specifically to small-scale suppliers, trading companies, and industrial processors. Additionally, Umati Capital offers a lending platform that facilitates invoice discounting and other forms of working capital, empowering small and medium-sized enterprises in East Africa to secure the financing necessary for their growth.

Kopo Kopo

Series A in 2013
Kopo Kopo Inc., established in 2010 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, operates a merchant services platform that facilitates mobile payment acceptance, customer relationship management (CRM), and other value-added services. The company's platform is integrated with the M-PESA system and serves a diverse range of businesses, including salons, restaurants, and office supply stores across East African markets. Kopo Kopo enables small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to accept, process, and analyze mobile payments in real-time, providing tools for customer engagement through targeted promotions and loyalty programs. The platform offers a secure online dashboard for downloading statements, viewing payments, and settling funds into bank accounts, thereby offering an alternative to traditional payment methods. Additionally, Kopo Kopo provides a suite of ISO/Acquirer tools for merchant acquirers such as banks, mobile network operators, and third parties, accelerating the transition from cash-based economies to digital ones.

Varthana

Seed Round in 2013
Varthana is a financial services company that partners with committed education entrepreneurs to enhance access to quality education for underprivileged communities. It offers tailored loans for infrastructure development, teacher training programs, and other educational initiatives in low-cost private schools.

Saija Finance

Series B in 2012
Saija Finance Private Limited is a non-banking finance company and microfinance institution headquartered in Patna, Bihar. It is the only NBFC-MFI operating in the state, focusing on delivering microfinance services to underserved urban and rural populations, as well as micro and small businesses in Northern and Eastern India. Saija aims to address the financial needs of clients in some of the poorest regions of India, where access to formal financial services is limited. Currently, the company serves approximately 26,037 clients across five districts in Bihar through its network of seven branches. Saija Finance provides credit for essential and eco-friendly products, such as water purifiers and solar lamps, facilitating business growth among local entrepreneurs.

Zoona

Series A in 2012
Founded in 2009, Zoona is a mobile technology company that provides safe and reliable financial services to underserved communities across Africa. It offers products such as money transfers, electronic voucher payments, and agent payments through its interoperable distribution network. With operations in Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, and support offices in South Africa, Zoona has processed over $2 billion in transactions since inception.
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