EchoVC Partners

Rivy is making it easier to finance small and medium sized businesses in Africa. There is a need for financing of $158 bn for SMEs in Nigeria alone. To start, Rivy o helps SMEs access and spend lender capital effectively. During their first full operational year in 2020, the Rivy o co--founders leveraged their domain expertise and founding experience to beat their 2020 goal by 50%.

Bettr is a digital banking platform aimed at revolutionizing financial access for South Africa's youth. Founded by a group of creative entrepreneurs and fintech veterans, the company addresses the lack of accessible financial products for young people. Bettr's platform allows users to open online accounts, obtain cards, and engage in virtual banking without transaction fees, offering essential tools for transactions, saving, borrowing, and insurance. By leveraging technology and fostering community, Bettr seeks to empower young individuals with the confidence and resources to achieve their financial goals. The organization is committed to creating a new culture of money in Africa, focusing on nurturing individual worth alongside wealth.

Wapi Pay is a payment gateway that enables digital transactions between Africa and Asia using mobile money and bank accounts. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with additional offices in Africa, Singapore, and Beijing, the company provides a secure financial solution that is faster and more affordable than traditional telegraphic transfers. Wapi Pay's platform allows users to transfer funds through various methods, including bank-to-bank, wallet-to-wallet, and wallet-to-bank options, facilitating payments for individuals, merchants, and businesses. It supports bulk payment processing for organizations, including salary disbursements and business purchases, while ensuring electronic compliance and due diligence. Wapi Pay's infrastructure also allows for instant liquidity and service guarantees within 24 hours, making it a valuable tool for cross-border commerce.

Bettr is a digital banking platform aimed at revolutionizing financial access for South Africa's youth. Founded by a group of creative entrepreneurs and fintech veterans, the company addresses the lack of accessible financial products for young people. Bettr's platform allows users to open online accounts, obtain cards, and engage in virtual banking without transaction fees, offering essential tools for transactions, saving, borrowing, and insurance. By leveraging technology and fostering community, Bettr seeks to empower young individuals with the confidence and resources to achieve their financial goals. The organization is committed to creating a new culture of money in Africa, focusing on nurturing individual worth alongside wealth.

MarketForce is a technology company headquartered in the United States, with operations in Kenya and Nigeria, focused on enhancing B2B commerce and fintech solutions for African merchants. Launched in 2018, the company has developed the "RejaReja" platform, which allows merchants to digitally source, order, and pay for inventory. In addition to these services, MarketForce offers access to financing, enables digital payment collection, and allows merchants to resell digital financial services like airtime and utility tokens. Operating in five markets across Sub-Saharan Africa, MarketForce has established a rapidly growing network that includes over 200,000 merchants and 50 consumer brands. The company employs an asset-light business model to drive efficiency and productivity in the distribution of goods, utilizing advanced technology to streamline operations for its users.

Lori Systems is a logistics platform based in Nairobi, Kenya, that connects transporters with cargo owners across Africa. Founded in 2016, the company also has offices in Mombasa, Uganda, and Lagos. Lori addresses a significant challenge in the African logistics sector, where up to 75% of product costs can be attributed to logistics, compared to only 6% in the United States. The platform provides a tech-enabled and operations-driven marketplace that enhances transparency, flexibility, reliability, and cost efficiency, achieving savings of over 18% for users. It offers real-time tracking of cargo, automated documentation, and streamlined payment processes, facilitating smoother goods transportation across the continent. Since its product launch in May 2017, Lori has experienced rapid growth, with a compounded monthly increase of 30%. The demand for its services continues to rise, supported by recent investments from prominent institutional and strategic investors. The company has also received recognition, including winning Techcrunch Battlefield Africa.

PayJoy Inc. is a consumer financing company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in providing smartphone-enabled financing solutions, primarily targeting underbanked individuals in emerging markets. By leveraging mobile security technology, PayJoy allows customers to select a smartphone, make an initial deposit, and choose a flexible payment plan. The financed smartphone serves as collateral, unlocking its full functionality once the purchase is complete. PayJoy's mission is to enhance access to credit for underserved populations, helping them navigate financial challenges and improve their economic standing. The company has successfully reached over 10 million customers across various countries, including Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and South Africa, and continues to show solid profitability and growth.

NextCounsel Limited is a legal technology company based in Lagos, Nigeria, founded in 2017. It specializes in developing practice management solutions for law firms and organizations, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and productivity. The company's platform encompasses various features, including case management for organizing contacts and information, a time and billing solution for managing matters and cost entries, and a document management system for profiling and assembling documents. Additionally, it offers an accounting module to facilitate the generation and printing of invoices, as well as human resource information systems. By providing these comprehensive tools, NextCounsel empowers legal professionals to streamline their operations and strengthen the overall legal ecosystem.

Hotels.ng is an online travel agency based in Lagos, Nigeria, specializing in hotel bookings throughout the country. Founded in 2012, the platform enables clients to book hotel rooms online with ease. It offers comprehensive support and assistance, along with hotel recommendations and reviews, ensuring that customers have access to quality accommodations. By focusing on user experience, Hotels.ng aims to facilitate a smooth booking process, helping travelers find good, clean, and safe hotels across Nigeria.

Cellulant Corporation is a prominent multinational payments company based in Nairobi, Kenya, focused on digitizing payments across Africa's largest economies. Established in 2004, Cellulant offers a comprehensive mobile payments platform that connects businesses and governments, facilitating consumer payments, digital banking, and remittance solutions. The company provides several innovative products, including Mula for general payment processing, Agrikore—a blockchain-based tool for agricultural transactions, and Tingg, which enables card, bank, and bill payments. By delivering locally relevant payment methods and supporting multiple currencies, Cellulant addresses the complex payment requirements of various businesses, making it easier for merchants to accept and manage payments.

Easyshop Easycook Services Limited is a Nigerian online grocery delivery platform based in Lagos that specializes in retailing a wide range of products, including fresh food, perishables, non-perishables, and household items. Founded in 2006, the company serves a diverse clientele, including working professionals, homes, offices, and restaurants, by providing a marketplace that connects suppliers and buyers. Easyshop Easycook offers customized shopping services tailored to the needs of customers who face challenges in meeting their grocery shopping requirements due to work and time constraints. By delivering quality food products and other grocery items directly to customers' doorsteps, the company aims to make grocery shopping convenient and accessible at reasonable prices.

Frontier Car Group is a Berlin-based startup focused on developing and operating used automotive marketplaces in emerging markets, including Nigeria, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Pakistan, and Indonesia. The company aims to simplify the process of buying and selling used cars through its online platform, which features a digital quote engine that provides instant pricing for vehicles. This technology not only enhances the efficiency of transactions but also facilitates quick vehicle inspections at designated locations. By leveraging innovative business models and infrastructure, Frontier Car Group is able to create value for all stakeholders involved in the used car market. Additionally, the company is engaged in joint ventures with OLX in India and Poland, further expanding its reach and impact in the automotive sector.

MyPadi.ng is a leading platform in Nigeria that connects students with off-campus hostels and potential roommates. It offers a comprehensive real estate solution by providing detailed information from verified landlords, including photographs, video tours, pricing, and roommate profiles. This allows students to access essential data about available accommodations near their schools and colleges, making the search for suitable housing more efficient and informed. By centralizing this information, MyPadi.ng addresses the needs of students seeking off-campus living arrangements.

LifeBank is a healthcare platform based in Lagos, Nigeria, that specializes in the delivery of critical medical supplies to hospitals and blood banks across Africa. Founded in 2015, the company offers a marketplace through its application, enabling clients to efficiently source blood and medical products necessary for patient care. LifeBank's services include a blood donor database that encourages community members to donate blood and a logistics system designed for timely delivery of essential items such as blood, oxygen, and medical consumables. This platform supports healthcare facilities in accessing vital resources, thereby enhancing their capacity to respond effectively during emergencies.

WhereIsMyTransport Ltd is a mobility technology company focused on providing comprehensive public transport data for megacities in emerging markets. Headquartered in London, with an additional office in Cape Town, the company specializes in digitalizing network information from various modes of public transport across Africa, Latin America, Southeast Europe, and South and Southeast Asia. By employing a data collection playbook, WhereIsMyTransport maps both formal and informal transport networks, ensuring data accuracy as these systems evolve. The company's platform serves businesses, municipalities, and citizens, enhancing the public transport experience and facilitating informed decision-making for infrastructure improvements and market entry.

Frontier Car Group is a Berlin-based startup focused on developing and operating used automotive marketplaces in emerging markets, including Nigeria, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Pakistan, and Indonesia. The company aims to simplify the process of buying and selling used cars through its online platform, which features a digital quote engine that provides instant pricing for vehicles. This technology not only enhances the efficiency of transactions but also facilitates quick vehicle inspections at designated locations. By leveraging innovative business models and infrastructure, Frontier Car Group is able to create value for all stakeholders involved in the used car market. Additionally, the company is engaged in joint ventures with OLX in India and Poland, further expanding its reach and impact in the automotive sector.

Cars45 is an online platform that simplifies the buying and selling of pre-owned vehicles in Nigeria. The process begins with vehicle owners submitting their car information for a free quote online. They can then schedule an appointment at one of the company's inspection centers, where a comprehensive evaluation of the vehicle's condition is conducted, including assessments of the engine, brakes, tires, and a road test. Following this evaluation, Cars45 makes an offer to the owner, and if accepted, guarantees a wire payment to the owner's bank account within 45 minutes. After pricing the vehicle and creating a digital service history, Cars45 provides the acquired cars to a private network of buyers, ensuring a transparent and efficient transaction process.

Riby is a finance technology company based in Lagos, Nigeria, that offers a digital finance management platform tailored for cooperatives, trade groups, associations, and micro and small businesses. The platform facilitates the creation and management of bank or mobile money accounts, providing users with access to essential financial services. By collaborating with banks and payment processing firms, Riby assists middle to low-income earners in automating savings processes, securing collateral-free loans, and making payments through various efficient channels. This comprehensive approach enables clients to effectively manage their finances and enhance their growth potential.

Ma3Route is a digital platform based in Ngong, Kenya, that crowd-sources transport data to enhance travel experiences in developing countries. Launched in 2011, the platform provides real-time information on traffic conditions, matatu directions, and driving reports through various channels, including mobile applications, web, SMS, and social media. By utilizing natural language processing and a moderation team, Ma3Route ensures the accuracy of the information shared with users. The company's mission is to democratize access to timely transport information, thereby improving mobility and contributing to better city planning and transport regulation in emerging economies.

Printivo Ltd. is a Nigerian company that offers online printing services tailored for startups and small to medium-sized enterprises. Founded in 2013 and based in Lagos, Printivo provides a diverse array of products, including business cards, banners, flyers, greeting cards, and promotional items such as custom mugs and stickers. The company features an interactive online platform where users can browse and customize hundreds of design templates, allowing them to upload images and insert logos. This service aims to streamline the printing process, making it more efficient and accessible for businesses in Nigeria. By leveraging technology and a wide range of design options, Printivo seeks to enhance the marketing capabilities of its customers and transform the local printing industry.

Hotels.ng is an online travel agency based in Lagos, Nigeria, specializing in hotel bookings throughout the country. Founded in 2012, the platform enables clients to book hotel rooms online with ease. It offers comprehensive support and assistance, along with hotel recommendations and reviews, ensuring that customers have access to quality accommodations. By focusing on user experience, Hotels.ng aims to facilitate a smooth booking process, helping travelers find good, clean, and safe hotels across Nigeria.