Battery Road Digital

Battery Road Digital Holdings is a venture capital firm established in 2015 and located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The firm specializes in investing in frontier and emerging markets, targeting sectors such as business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumer (B2C), e-commerce, feminine technology, and financial technology. Through its focused investment strategy, Battery Road Digital aims to support innovative companies that are positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities in these dynamic markets.

Ed Simnett

Operating Partner

15 past transactions

zypl.ai

Pre Seed Round in 2022
Zypl.ai leverages generative artificial intelligence to enhance financial inclusion in emerging and frontier markets. Its software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution allows banks and microfinance institutions to underwrite loans accurately and instantly, even for individuals with limited or no credit history. By utilizing synthetically generated data and simulating extreme market conditions, zypl.ai's approach ensures stability and adaptability in volatile environments. The platform assesses various factors, including social and demographic information, device metadata, psychometrics, and macroeconomic indicators, to inform credit decisions. Customized AI models align with the risk appetite of each enterprise partner, and integration options are flexible, accommodating both cloud and on-premise deployments. Zypl.ai prioritizes compliance with regulatory standards by employing explainable AI models that provide transparency in decision-making. Since launching its beta, the company has secured ten enterprise clients across Central Asia, underwriting over $9 million in loans with a remarkably low portfolio-at-risk rate. With plans to expand into new markets in MENA, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe, zypl.ai is positioned for significant growth in the fintech sector.

AwanTunai

Series A in 2022
AwanTunai is a fintech company based in Jakarta Timur, Indonesia, founded in 2017. It focuses on transforming the Indonesian banking sector by providing a mobile application that grants micro merchants access to loans for working capital, particularly targeting those who lack access to traditional banking products. The platform digitizes the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) supply chain by facilitating online ordering, customer management, payment acceptance, and inventory management. AwanTunai monetizes its services primarily through embedded financing for inventory purchases within its integrated ecosystem, which connects borrowers with lenders. As a regulated fintech institution, it manages the full lifecycle of bank-compliant loan assets and collaborates with global insurance companies to offer micro-insurance protection. This approach aims to enhance financial accessibility and improve the welfare of consumers in Indonesia.

IMAN

Seed Round in 2022
IMAN is a Halal financial super app founded in 2019 and based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It aims to provide ethical investment and funding options that align with Islamic beliefs, catering to the financial needs of the 700 million young, digitally connected Muslims worldwide who often find traditional banking solutions inadequate. The platform offers a halal buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) solution through its PAY and MERCHANT applications, enabling retailers to increase sales while allowing consumers to make purchases and pay in halal monthly installments. These installment sales are financed by investors seeking attractive halal profits through the INVEST application. Additionally, IMAN specializes in Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS), providing a portable banking architecture that integrates its innovative products into existing bank frameworks. With a current focus on Uzbekistan, IMAN plans to expand into the MENAPT region, aspiring to become a leading Halal financial solution provider in MENA and Asia.

Josudo

Seed Round in 2019
Josudo is an innovative e-learning platform tailored specifically for gamers, aimed at enhancing their skills and performance. The platform connects players with top-tier coaches through a technology-driven matchmaking process, ensuring that each gamer is paired with a coach who aligns with their skill level and specific areas for improvement. By offering personalized one-on-one coaching, Josudo serves as a crucial resource for aspiring esports professionals looking to advance from amateur status to competitive excellence.

CanGo Africa

Seed Round in 2019
CanGo Africa is an on-demand services company that specializes in a motorcycle taxi application. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda, the company leverages vehicle telematics technology to connect users with vetted motorcycle taxi drivers through its mobile platform. In addition to its operations in Kigali, CanGo Africa has expanded its services to Kinshasa and maintains a technology office in Nairobi. The company was previously known as SafeMotos.

Halan

Series A in 2018
Halan is a ride-hailing application based in Cairo, Egypt, that specializes in providing two and three-wheeler vehicle rides and on-demand logistics services. Founded in November 2017, the platform allows users to request motorbike or tuk-tuk rides and order food or goods for delivery via motorbikes and cargo tricycles. In addition to catering to individual customers, Halan offers smart-tech last-mile delivery solutions to support both large organizations and small businesses in their distribution and supply chain needs. The application enhances convenience and safety for users while providing drivers with opportunities for incremental business. Halan has established partnerships with notable fast-food chains such as McDonald’s, KFC, and Pizza Hut, further solidifying its presence in the logistics and ride-hailing market.

Pathao

Venture Round in 2018
Pathao Ltd. is a prominent digital platform in Bangladesh, established in 2015 and headquartered in Dhaka. The company specializes in ride-hailing, courier delivery, and food delivery services. It operates an application that facilitates ride-sharing through cars and bikes, as well as logistics solutions that connect online stores with customers for parcel delivery, including documents and gifts. Pathao has expanded its services to Nepal and currently operates in 64 districts across Bangladesh and 22 cities in Nepal. Known as the leading courier delivery company in Bangladesh, Pathao also offers fintech solutions and digital credit services, making it a significant player in the mobility, logistics, and financial services sectors in South Asia.

Halan

Seed Round in 2017
Halan is a ride-hailing application based in Cairo, Egypt, that specializes in providing two and three-wheeler vehicle rides and on-demand logistics services. Founded in November 2017, the platform allows users to request motorbike or tuk-tuk rides and order food or goods for delivery via motorbikes and cargo tricycles. In addition to catering to individual customers, Halan offers smart-tech last-mile delivery solutions to support both large organizations and small businesses in their distribution and supply chain needs. The application enhances convenience and safety for users while providing drivers with opportunities for incremental business. Halan has established partnerships with notable fast-food chains such as McDonald’s, KFC, and Pizza Hut, further solidifying its presence in the logistics and ride-hailing market.

Rapido

Venture Round in 2017
Rapido is a Bengaluru-based company established in 2015 that operates a bike taxi booking platform focused on providing affordable intra-city travel and last-mile connectivity. Through its mobile application, users can book two-wheeler rides, promoting a more efficient commuting experience. The platform aims to connect individuals traveling in similar directions, thereby reducing the number of vehicles on the road and contributing to decreased traffic congestion, carbon emissions, and air pollution. By offering a viable alternative to vehicle ownership, Rapido enhances accessibility and encourages the sharing economy, making urban commuting not only more fun but also more sustainable.

Gaveteiro

Venture Round in 2017
Gaveteiro is an online buying platform for everything that companies need, from cleaning supplies to safety equipment and tools.

Pathao

Seed Round in 2016
Pathao Ltd. is a prominent digital platform in Bangladesh, established in 2015 and headquartered in Dhaka. The company specializes in ride-hailing, courier delivery, and food delivery services. It operates an application that facilitates ride-sharing through cars and bikes, as well as logistics solutions that connect online stores with customers for parcel delivery, including documents and gifts. Pathao has expanded its services to Nepal and currently operates in 64 districts across Bangladesh and 22 cities in Nepal. Known as the leading courier delivery company in Bangladesh, Pathao also offers fintech solutions and digital credit services, making it a significant player in the mobility, logistics, and financial services sectors in South Asia.

Grana

Series A in 2016
Grana Group Limited is an online fashion retailer based in Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, specializing in affordable wardrobe essentials for men and women. Founded in 2013, the company offers a range of products including T-shirts, shirts, dresses, and various styles of jeans and pants. Grana sources high-quality fabrics directly from garment factories, minimizing markup costs typically seen in traditional retail. The brand operates a direct-to-consumer model, enabling it to sell products at competitive prices. Additionally, Grana features an offline showroom called "The Fitting Room" in Hong Kong, allowing customers to try on items before purchasing online. The company ships its products to over 65 countries worldwide, ensuring fast delivery within 1-2 days.

Andela

Series B in 2016
Andela is a global technology company founded in 2014, headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. It specializes in recruiting, training, and connecting top-tier software developers from Africa and other emerging markets with global companies. Andela's platform streamlines the hiring process, enabling businesses to quickly and cost-effectively augment their teams with skilled talent. The company's unique model involves rigorous screening to select the top 1% of developers, providing them with mentorship and continuous learning opportunities, and managing all aspects of borderless hiring, from compliance to payroll. This allows clients to engage with fully managed teams or select individual roles, up to 66% faster and at a 30-50% cost reduction compared to traditional methods. Andela's diverse talent pool spans over 135 countries and specializes in advanced technologies such as application development, artificial intelligence, cloud & DevOps, and data engineering. The company has earned the trust of prominent global brands, including GitHub, Mastercard Foundry, and Mindshare.

Carro

Series A in 2016
Carro is an automotive marketplace that offers a full-stack service for all aspects of car ownership. It challenges the traditional way of buying and selling of cars through a proprietary pricing algorithm. Carro also provides a range of services that offer everything a car owner needs throughout their car ownership journeys such as an in-house financing solution warranty options and Singapore’s first on-demand roadside recovery platform. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Singapore.

Pathao

Seed Round in 2015
Pathao Ltd. is a prominent digital platform in Bangladesh, established in 2015 and headquartered in Dhaka. The company specializes in ride-hailing, courier delivery, and food delivery services. It operates an application that facilitates ride-sharing through cars and bikes, as well as logistics solutions that connect online stores with customers for parcel delivery, including documents and gifts. Pathao has expanded its services to Nepal and currently operates in 64 districts across Bangladesh and 22 cities in Nepal. Known as the leading courier delivery company in Bangladesh, Pathao also offers fintech solutions and digital credit services, making it a significant player in the mobility, logistics, and financial services sectors in South Asia.
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