Beacon Power Services
Series A in 2024
Beacon Power Services, established in 2013 and headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, specializes in designing and implementing energy management solutions for commercial and industrial facilities. The company's core offering is its AI-enabled grid management platform, Adora, which provides real-time visibility into network performance for electric utilities, enabling them to anticipate outages, identify network losses, and distribute electricity more efficiently. Additionally, Adora empowers consumers with control over their energy infrastructure, facilitating invoicing, installations, and logistics. Beacon Power Services aims to enhance the quality and duration of electricity supplied in African cities by building smart grids and leveraging data to reduce inefficiencies in power distribution systems.
Vendease is an online marketplace based in Lagos, Nigeria, that facilitates direct ordering of supplies from farms and food manufacturers for restaurants and hotels in Africa. Founded in 2020, the platform allows food service businesses to digitize and automate their procurement and inventory management processes, enhancing efficiency. By offering a wide range of products, including seafood, vegetables, beverages, and processed foods, Vendease aims to streamline the supply chain for its users, thereby enabling them to focus on customer service. The platform also provides valuable analytics to help businesses improve profitability and reduce waste, making procurement more convenient and transparent.
Tugende is a financial services company based in Kampala, Uganda, founded in 2012. It focuses on providing financing solutions to informal sector entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized enterprises. The company specializes in helping motorcycle taxi drivers and other clients acquire business assets, such as motorcycles, special hire taxis, and matatus, allowing them to transition from renting to ownership within eighteen months. This shift not only enhances their income and job security but also improves road safety. In addition to asset financing, Tugende offers a range of supportive services including insurance, safe riding training, and access to genuine parts and maintenance services. Through its comprehensive approach, Tugende aims to bridge the credit gap for small businesses and foster financial independence among its clients.
TradeDepot
Series B in 2021
TradeDepot Inc. is a technology-driven distribution platform based in Lagos, Nigeria, founded in 2016. The company aims to revolutionize the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector in Africa by connecting top consumer goods companies directly with retailers. TradeDepot's SaaS platform offers features such as predictive trade intelligence, real-time stock level access, and the ability to place bulk orders online. It also enables the auto-generation of sales promotions, helping to enhance sales and streamline operations. By focusing on improving the distribution of food, beverages, and personal care products, TradeDepot seeks to build the largest retail distribution network in Africa and improve the livelihoods of retail store owners. The company also has an office in Wilmington, Delaware, reflecting its commitment to expanding its reach and impact.
Yoco Technologies, based in Cape Town, South Africa, specializes in streamlining commerce between buyers and sellers. It offers a mobile point-of-sale solution that enables businesses to accept secure payments online and offline through a unified platform. This platform also includes lending and business software services, catering to over 300,000 small businesses annually, processing billions of dollars in transactions. Yoco aims to enhance the customer experience by reducing wait times and simplifying payment processes for both buyers and sellers.
Tugende is a financial services company based in Kampala, Uganda, founded in 2012. It focuses on providing financing solutions to informal sector entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized enterprises. The company specializes in helping motorcycle taxi drivers and other clients acquire business assets, such as motorcycles, special hire taxis, and matatus, allowing them to transition from renting to ownership within eighteen months. This shift not only enhances their income and job security but also improves road safety. In addition to asset financing, Tugende offers a range of supportive services including insurance, safe riding training, and access to genuine parts and maintenance services. Through its comprehensive approach, Tugende aims to bridge the credit gap for small businesses and foster financial independence among its clients.
TradeDepot
Series B in 2020
TradeDepot Inc. is a technology-driven distribution platform based in Lagos, Nigeria, founded in 2016. The company aims to revolutionize the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector in Africa by connecting top consumer goods companies directly with retailers. TradeDepot's SaaS platform offers features such as predictive trade intelligence, real-time stock level access, and the ability to place bulk orders online. It also enables the auto-generation of sales promotions, helping to enhance sales and streamline operations. By focusing on improving the distribution of food, beverages, and personal care products, TradeDepot seeks to build the largest retail distribution network in Africa and improve the livelihoods of retail store owners. The company also has an office in Wilmington, Delaware, reflecting its commitment to expanding its reach and impact.
Gebeya Inc. is an education technology and online software outsourcing marketplace based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with additional teams in Kenya, Senegal, North America, and the UK. Founded in 2016, the company focuses on providing specialized training in software engineering, design, and digital skills, contributing to Africa's digital transformation. Gebeya offers several services, including G-Talent, which connects companies with specialized developers for remote or in-house positions; G-Subscription, which provides access to IT professionals for a predetermined number of hours; and G-Made, which facilitates hiring Gebeya’s core engineering team for project completion. Additionally, the company engages in branding, videography, and animation services. Gebeya aims to be a reliable source of skilled talent, showcasing Africa's competitiveness in the global job market.
KUDI is a financial service provider focused on providing access to electronic banking and financial services by leveraging conversational interfaces, natural language processing and artificial intelligence to provider faster access, frictionless experience, and ultimately boost financial inclusion in emerging markets. KUDI is enabling secured financial transactions via Facebook, Telegram, Slack and Skype. KUDI's focus is the African market with a primary focus on the Nigerian Payment ecosystem and the company does this in partnership with e-payment regulators, a leading commercial bank, and an international payment processor.
KUDI is a financial service provider focused on providing access to electronic banking and financial services by leveraging conversational interfaces, natural language processing and artificial intelligence to provider faster access, frictionless experience, and ultimately boost financial inclusion in emerging markets. KUDI is enabling secured financial transactions via Facebook, Telegram, Slack and Skype. KUDI's focus is the African market with a primary focus on the Nigerian Payment ecosystem and the company does this in partnership with e-payment regulators, a leading commercial bank, and an international payment processor.
Yoco Technologies, based in Cape Town, South Africa, specializes in streamlining commerce between buyers and sellers. It offers a mobile point-of-sale solution that enables businesses to accept secure payments online and offline through a unified platform. This platform also includes lending and business software services, catering to over 300,000 small businesses annually, processing billions of dollars in transactions. Yoco aims to enhance the customer experience by reducing wait times and simplifying payment processes for both buyers and sellers.
TradeDepot
Series A in 2018
TradeDepot Inc. is a technology-driven distribution platform based in Lagos, Nigeria, founded in 2016. The company aims to revolutionize the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector in Africa by connecting top consumer goods companies directly with retailers. TradeDepot's SaaS platform offers features such as predictive trade intelligence, real-time stock level access, and the ability to place bulk orders online. It also enables the auto-generation of sales promotions, helping to enhance sales and streamline operations. By focusing on improving the distribution of food, beverages, and personal care products, TradeDepot seeks to build the largest retail distribution network in Africa and improve the livelihoods of retail store owners. The company also has an office in Wilmington, Delaware, reflecting its commitment to expanding its reach and impact.
Frontier Car Group
Series A in 2017
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.
Sendwave
Seed Round in 2016
Sendwave is a remittance company that offers an app-based platform for users to send money internationally with ease. The application facilitates instant transfers from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada to several African countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana, and Nigeria, without charging any fees. By linking a debit card and completing an identity verification process, users can send money to friends and family quickly and securely. Sendwave aims to simplify cross-border money transfers, making the process as straightforward as sending a text message.
AURA APP (Pty) Ltd is a South African startup that has developed a cloud-based platform designed to enhance security and safety. Founded in 2016 and based in Johannesburg, the company offers an on-demand service that connects clients with the nearest available armed response units from a network of independent reaction companies. This innovative approach not only facilitates rapid access to security responders but also aids in managing crime prevention efforts in various geographical areas. AURA's platform aims to improve safety by ensuring a swift and effective response to security incidents.