Lateral Frontiers VC

Octavia Carbon is the first Direct Air Capture (DAC) company in the Global South, focused on filtering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to combat climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The company designs, builds, and deploys patented technology that utilizes Kenya's geothermal energy and geological resources to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of DAC technology. By capturing CO2 directly from the air, Octavia Carbon enables the conversion of this greenhouse gas into stable underground rock formations or repurposes it as an industrial gas, helping to replace polluting fossil fuels. This innovative approach not only addresses environmental concerns but also supports industrial power users in East Africa, contributing to the fight against energy poverty in the region.

SeamlessHR Limited is a human resource technology software company based in Lagos, Nigeria, founded in 2013. It offers a comprehensive, cloud-based HR platform tailored for medium to large-sized organizations, facilitating the automation and optimization of HR processes from recruitment to retirement. The company's product suite includes a Recruitment Management System, HR Management System, Learning Management System, Payroll Management, Leave Management, and Performance and Competency Management tools. Additionally, SeamlessHR provides HR analytics and embedded finance solutions aimed at enhancing financial security for both employers and employees. Through its technology, SeamlessHR enables businesses to streamline various HR functions, ensuring efficient management of their workforce.

Mono is a Nigerian company founded in 2020 that specializes in financial data infrastructure through its application programming interface (API) platform. This platform offers businesses the ability to access essential financial information, including bank statements, account verification, and payment initiation. Mono's services are designed to enhance onboarding and identification processes, particularly in emerging markets. By providing real-time access to financial data and enabling secure direct bank payments, Mono aims to empower companies of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises. The company's mission focuses on unlocking the potential of Africa’s financial system, facilitating economic growth by equipping businesses with the necessary tools to thrive in the digital economy.

Mono is a Nigerian company founded in 2020 that specializes in financial data infrastructure through its application programming interface (API) platform. This platform offers businesses the ability to access essential financial information, including bank statements, account verification, and payment initiation. Mono's services are designed to enhance onboarding and identification processes, particularly in emerging markets. By providing real-time access to financial data and enabling secure direct bank payments, Mono aims to empower companies of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises. The company's mission focuses on unlocking the potential of Africa’s financial system, facilitating economic growth by equipping businesses with the necessary tools to thrive in the digital economy.

AppZone Group is a prominent provider of integrated banking and payment software solutions tailored for small and medium-sized financial institutions in Africa. The company offers a comprehensive suite of products, including the BankOne Core Banking platform, which automates key operations such as deposit management, loan administration, financial accounting, and payroll processing. Additionally, AppZone provides an ePayment processing solution that facilitates access to financial services through various channels, including ATMs, POS terminals, and mobile devices. Their systems integration services enhance payment processing capabilities with features like prepaid card management and ATM monitoring. AppZone also offers cloud services that encompass customization, implementation, and ongoing support to ensure optimal performance of their solutions. Established in 2006 and based in Yaba, Nigeria, AppZone aims to empower individuals by providing technology that ensures unlimited access to financial services across the continent.

SeamlessHR Limited is a human resource technology software company based in Lagos, Nigeria, founded in 2013. It offers a comprehensive, cloud-based HR platform tailored for medium to large-sized organizations, facilitating the automation and optimization of HR processes from recruitment to retirement. The company's product suite includes a Recruitment Management System, HR Management System, Learning Management System, Payroll Management, Leave Management, and Performance and Competency Management tools. Additionally, SeamlessHR provides HR analytics and embedded finance solutions aimed at enhancing financial security for both employers and employees. Through its technology, SeamlessHR enables businesses to streamline various HR functions, ensuring efficient management of their workforce.

Mono is a Nigerian company founded in 2020 that specializes in financial data infrastructure through its application programming interface (API) platform. This platform offers businesses the ability to access essential financial information, including bank statements, account verification, and payment initiation. Mono's services are designed to enhance onboarding and identification processes, particularly in emerging markets. By providing real-time access to financial data and enabling secure direct bank payments, Mono aims to empower companies of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises. The company's mission focuses on unlocking the potential of Africa’s financial system, facilitating economic growth by equipping businesses with the necessary tools to thrive in the digital economy.

AppZone Group is a prominent provider of integrated banking and payment software solutions tailored for small and medium-sized financial institutions in Africa. The company offers a comprehensive suite of products, including the BankOne Core Banking platform, which automates key operations such as deposit management, loan administration, financial accounting, and payroll processing. Additionally, AppZone provides an ePayment processing solution that facilitates access to financial services through various channels, including ATMs, POS terminals, and mobile devices. Their systems integration services enhance payment processing capabilities with features like prepaid card management and ATM monitoring. AppZone also offers cloud services that encompass customization, implementation, and ongoing support to ensure optimal performance of their solutions. Established in 2006 and based in Yaba, Nigeria, AppZone aims to empower individuals by providing technology that ensures unlimited access to financial services across the continent.

SeamlessHR Limited is a human resource technology software company based in Lagos, Nigeria, founded in 2013. It offers a comprehensive, cloud-based HR platform tailored for medium to large-sized organizations, facilitating the automation and optimization of HR processes from recruitment to retirement. The company's product suite includes a Recruitment Management System, HR Management System, Learning Management System, Payroll Management, Leave Management, and Performance and Competency Management tools. Additionally, SeamlessHR provides HR analytics and embedded finance solutions aimed at enhancing financial security for both employers and employees. Through its technology, SeamlessHR enables businesses to streamline various HR functions, ensuring efficient management of their workforce.

Lynk Jobs Limited operates a digital platform that connects informal workers with customers seeking various services, including cleaning, plumbing, electrical work, and carpentry. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, Lynk facilitates the recruitment of professionals by allowing users to describe their project or service needs. The platform queries relevant professionals, provides quotes from verified workers, and manages logistics for the services rendered. Additionally, Lynk offers training courses aimed at personal and professional development, helping workers enhance their skills and improve their employability. By addressing the challenges faced by informal workers and the households and businesses that require their services, Lynk creates a more efficient marketplace for both parties.

SparkMeter, Inc. designs electricity metering systems and grid management software aimed at enhancing electricity access in underserved markets, particularly rural areas. Founded in 2012 and based in Washington, D.C., with an office in Nairobi, Kenya, the company offers a range of metering products tailored to different customer needs, including residential and commercial users. Its solutions include the SM16R, SM60R, SM60RP, and SM200E models, which cater to various consumption levels. In addition to hardware, SparkMeter provides software solutions that facilitate prepaid billing, customer communication, and remote monitoring, thus improving grid efficiency and asset performance. By enabling utilities to automate operations, manage loads, and integrate renewable energy sources, SparkMeter helps communities access sustainable and reliable electricity.

AppZone Group is a prominent provider of integrated banking and payment software solutions tailored for small and medium-sized financial institutions in Africa. The company offers a comprehensive suite of products, including the BankOne Core Banking platform, which automates key operations such as deposit management, loan administration, financial accounting, and payroll processing. Additionally, AppZone provides an ePayment processing solution that facilitates access to financial services through various channels, including ATMs, POS terminals, and mobile devices. Their systems integration services enhance payment processing capabilities with features like prepaid card management and ATM monitoring. AppZone also offers cloud services that encompass customization, implementation, and ongoing support to ensure optimal performance of their solutions. Established in 2006 and based in Yaba, Nigeria, AppZone aims to empower individuals by providing technology that ensures unlimited access to financial services across the continent.

Medsaf is a pharmaceutical platform based in Lagos, Nigeria, that facilitates the delivery of medications to hospitals, pharmacies, and clinics. Founded in 2014, the company offers a wide range of products, including antacids, antiviral drugs, anaemia treatments, antiseptics, and vitamins. Medsaf aims to enhance the accessibility of affordable, quality medications through an integrated suite of technologies designed to improve efficiency and transparency in the supply chain. Its services include online product distribution, quality control as a service, and a marketplace that connects healthcare providers with vetted suppliers and logistics partners. Additionally, Medsaf features an embedded finance platform that provides buy-now-pay-later solutions for medication procurement, streamlining the financial aspects of the pharmaceutical supply process.

Lynk Jobs Limited operates a digital platform that connects informal workers with customers seeking various services, including cleaning, plumbing, electrical work, and carpentry. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, Lynk facilitates the recruitment of professionals by allowing users to describe their project or service needs. The platform queries relevant professionals, provides quotes from verified workers, and manages logistics for the services rendered. Additionally, Lynk offers training courses aimed at personal and professional development, helping workers enhance their skills and improve their employability. By addressing the challenges faced by informal workers and the households and businesses that require their services, Lynk creates a more efficient marketplace for both parties.

KOKO Networks Ltd is a technology company founded in 2014 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with additional offices in East Africa and India. The company focuses on developing a technology platform tailored for emerging markets, particularly in urban Africa. KOKO Networks offers a suite of innovative solutions that connect suppliers, retailers, and consumers, facilitating smart commerce. By leveraging its unique technology, KOKO Networks aims to enhance the quality of life in African cities through various consumer and business services.

4G Capital, founded in 2013 and based in Nairobi, Kenya, specializes in providing instant access credit to small business owners in Africa, particularly targeting self-employed informal market traders. The company offers unsecured loans and financial literacy training tailored to micro-entrepreneurs operating in low-income sectors, including agriculture and trade. Utilizing proprietary machine learning technology, 4G Capital delivers insights from data-scarce environments to create scalable credit products that align with clients' business risks and affordability. Clients can access loans quickly through mobile money, and the company achieves high collection rates without requiring collateral or refinancing. With operations in Kenya and Uganda, 4G Capital has positively impacted over one million individuals and demonstrates a strong commitment to improving financial literacy and sustainable growth for small businesses. The company reports significant increases in client revenues and boasts a high percentage of repeat customers, particularly among women and rural traders.