SBI Investment
SBI Investment is the corporate venture capital arm of SBI Holdings, based in Tokyo, Japan. It funds and supports the growth of private venture companies by managing venture capital funds and attracting capital from institutional partners. The firm backs a broad range of technology-driven sectors, including artificial intelligence, blockchain, fintech, information technology, cybersecurity, e-commerce, biotechnology, life sciences, healthcare, and environmental energy. Through regional operations such as SBI Investment Korea, it engages with startups in Korea and focuses on sectors including healthcare, consumer, ICT, entertainment, information services, and manufacturing. SBI Investment aims to create value by helping portfolio companies scale, form strategic partnerships, and pursue exits via initial public offerings or acquisitions, reinforcing its role in fostering innovation and core industries in the 21st century.
Past deals in Kenya
BasiGo
Series A in 2024
BasiGo is an e-mobility start-up focused on transforming public transportation in Kenya and Rwanda by providing electric buses as a sustainable alternative to diesel. The company operates under a pay-as-you-go model, which includes maintenance and battery charging services, facilitating the transition for bus owners to adopt electric vehicles. BasiGo's electric buses are designed to operate throughout the day on a single charge, utilizing proven battery technology that offers a reliable and economical solution amidst rising diesel costs. By making electric buses more accessible, BasiGo aims to enhance the efficiency of public transport while contributing to environmental sustainability.
HAKKI AFRICA
Series B in 2023
Founded in 2018, HAKKI AFRICA specializes in providing microfinance solutions for small businesses and gig workers across Africa. The company offers short-term loans and credit-scoring technology, empowering local financial institutions to assess creditworthiness and provide funding.
Apollo Agriculture
Series B in 2022
Apollo Agriculture, established in 2015, is a Kenyan agtech company with a presence in Nairobi. It specializes in providing smallholder farmers with access to critical farming inputs, financing, and advisory services. The company leverages agronomic machine learning, remote sensing, and mobile technology to assess credit risk and tailor financial and technical assistance to each farmer's unique needs and location. This approach aims to enhance farm yields and profitability in emerging markets, with a focus on Kenya.
Crediation
Venture Round in 2020
Crediation Inc. is a digital finance provider headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, with an additional office in Nairobi, Kenya. The company specializes in transforming startups into lenders by offering an online platform equipped with essential financial tools and access to credit. Crediation focuses on supporting small and medium-sized businesses by facilitating seamless mobile lending experiences. It aims to empower business owners with the necessary capital through convenient and sustainable loan options, helping them grow and strengthen their enterprises.
Africa Incubator
Venture Round in 2019
Africa Incubator Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo with offices in Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda, develops and markets sales automation software tailored for African enterprises. Founded in 2015 by Kentaro Nagai, the company's flagship product is SENRI, a software solution enabling field staff monitoring, report generation, order process streamlining, route management, customer management, and payment management. Additionally, Africa Incubator offers application development services for smartphones. As of 2018, SENRI was employed by approximately 50 African manufacturing and logistics companies, contributing to increased sales productivity for over 50 client companies.
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