Village Capital

Purpl is a financial services company that provides a seamless experience when sending, receiving, and spending money. The company aims to reconnect Lebanon to the Lebanese diaspora around the world, one adopter at a time, by digitally powering the $9bn yearly remittances supporting the Lebanese economy. It was founded in 2021 and is located in Beirut, Lebanon.

Sav is a financial technology company based in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) that offers a comprehensive money management application. The app is designed to assist users in understanding their finances, protecting and growing their wealth, and managing debt. Utilizing Open Banking principles, Sav leverages artificial intelligence to provide personalized suggestions that guide users toward achieving their financial goals efficiently. The company aims to alleviate financial stress and empower individuals to live beyond their immediate paycheck. In 2024, Sav participated in the Sanabil 500 MENA Seed Accelerator program, securing $100,000 in funding to support its growth and development.

Duma Toys is an Egyptian brand specializing in handmade children’s toys and products. It also offers job training and employment making high-quality, hand-knitted toys from sustainable materials. The company was founded in 2018 and is based in Giza, Egypt.

BeSingularity is a platform helping businesses achieve their customer acquisition, retention, and business growth goals. The company is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Chari is an e-commerce and fintech app for traditional retailers in French-Speaking Africa allowing them to order any consumer goods they sell and get delivered for free in less than 24 hours. Chari is also a financial services provider for these retailers, offering them microloans. Chari's mission is to meet the needs of entrepreneurs by supplying them with consumer goods on a regular basis and providing them with financial services.

Cupmena is taking in the Agri-tech and waste management space. It builds a waste collection system to collect the spent coffee ground” SCG” to maximize value by reusing it to develop and empower solutions for the Agri-sector. We developed a highly efficient Agri-solution to cultivate mushrooms using the spent coffee ground as the primary soil. In the meantime, we are working on the Research and development vertical and horizontal, which means we are developing new mushroom strains to offer to the market as well as developing new Agri-solutions out of the spent coffee ground Agri-sector in Egypt and the MENA region.

Plug'n'Grow is an agricultural technology company that provides innovative solutions to address global challenges such as food security and water scarcity. The company specializes in operational planning services, crop production, and shift planning, alongside maintenance, farm design, and construction consulting. Plug'n'Grow also develops pre-designed production systems for vegetables, fruits, and fish, utilizing water-efficient hydroponics and aquaculture methods. These offerings are designed to help farms achieve optimal output while providing economical alternatives in agriculture, thereby enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of food production.

Green Fashion specializes in creating stylish clothing from remnants of fabrics sourced from factories, workshops, and used garments. The company focuses on minimizing waste by transforming these materials into new, fashionable apparel, which is designed by professional fashion designers. This approach not only extends the life of textile components but also reduces the need for additional resources. Furthermore, Green Fashion employs women from marginalized communities, providing them with opportunities for economic empowerment while promoting sustainable practices in the fashion industry. Through its efforts, the company aims to deliver environmentally friendly clothing that aligns with social responsibility.

International Protein processes any sort of animal waste into marketable byproducts through a waterless and odorless technology.

Natrify provides sustainable solutions for the bioplastic industry through biotechnology. It utilizes microorganisms to assist plastic using businesses diminish their negative environmental impact by providing them with packaging that is naturally biodegradable

Emploi is an online portal that offers job vacancies for candidates, human resource and recruitment services in various sectors.

ICT for Development Kenya reaches out to undeserved communities in East Africa offering Technology literacy.

Fundi App is a mobile application designed to connect customers with vetted handymen offering various installation, repair, and maintenance services. The app addresses the challenges faced by skilled youth in Africa, where a significant number of individuals enter the labor market annually, yet only a fraction find employment. Many young workers struggle with low productivity and wages in the informal sector, leading to economic instability. Fundi App aims to bridge the gap between demand for quality service and the availability of skilled workers by providing a platform that allows users to find reliable and affordable service providers in real-time. This solution not only streamlines the job-finding process for customers but also facilitates decent work opportunities for young workers, contributing to the development of thriving communities in sub-Saharan Africa.

Terawork is a one-stop freelance marketplace helping African talent earn income globally through freelancing. Terawork seeks to take outsourcing to the next level by offering a robust platform that matches customers with the most suitable freelancers for their job offers. To the customer, the platform offers more than just a diversified crop of professionals providing freelancing service; it comes with numerous quality checks that ensure that projects are handled and delivered in good time by the most capable hands. To the freelancers, the platform offers more than just a go-to source for orders; TERAWORK cultivates a corporate culture that stimulates continuous self-development and human capacity building. It encourages a feedback loop that allows clients to connect with freelancers on a much deeper level, such that’s highly beneficial to both customer experience and working experience. How It Works TERAWORK is a platform that connects talents with clients in need of their services from all around the globe. The guiding principles of the organization, which vies to eliminate impediments to outsourcing, reflects in the fact that the platform is completely free for both service providers and customers to sign up on, with secure registration systems and air-tight payment processes. To sign up as a service provider, you simply need to create a free, eye-catching profile (probably featuring videos and animations) that describes the unique skills and services that you offer. Afterward, you’ll be receiving messages or notifications about new projects or quotation requests. You can also check the workstore to pick up jobs that you qualify for. To place orders, log into your free account and either order work directly from a particular service provider with a befitting profile, or post a job request (commonly called Request for Quotation or RFQ) and then choose from the different quotes and responses from qualified talents who’ll be contacting you. The funds you allocate for the project remains secured in an escrow setup until you approve of the completed work done. Note that we reserve the right to intervene in cases where a service provider feels the customer unduly rejects a submitted work. Key Features of the TERAWORK Platform The Work Store: The section of the platform where customers post job offers for qualified freelancers to see and respond with quotes and proposals. The Escrow Payment System: We escrow payments and release your deposited funds to a service provider only after you approve of the finished work. A Rich, All-Inclusive Pool of Talents: Our pool of talents cater to an all-inclusive client base from all around the world, from startups looking for creative design talents, to businesses looking to implement certain digital strategies, and blog owners looking for fresh blog posts. Two-Way Review System: Customers are encouraged to leave reviews of work done on the service provider’s public profile, and the service provider can also rate customers they’ve worked for to help other freelancers establish expectations for working with the customer. Note that we reserve the right to prevent clients or freelancers from publishing unfair reviews. Multiple Delivery Channels: Depending on the type of service requested, your deliverable can be sent to you via the TERAWORK cloud, courier, or a specified location where you can pick it up. Conclusion TERAWORK is here to knock several drawbacks of outsourcing out of the equation for both customers and freelancers. Charging a small commission on works done on the platform, it offers clients a rich stock of excellent talents and offers freelancers an integrated office in a box that allows them to find and fill work orders hassle-free.

Angaza Elimu is primed to transform education across Kenya and the entire African continent by addressing the problem of inefficient classrooms and inadequate educational material. At Angaza Elimu, we enhance the classroom experience and strengthen the student-teacher bond. By combining a comprehensive e-Learning platform with a simple classroom setup, Angaza Elimu eases the administrative burden of teachers and frees them to spend more time teaching substantive material. Additionally, Angaza Elimu encourages children to further engage with technology with a Student Portal that challenges them to think critically. We also offer supplemental training on STEM to plant the seed of innovativeness in the young African learner.

Gradely.ng Limited operates a personalized learning platform designed for secondary school students in Nigeria. Founded in 2019 and based in Yaba, the platform utilizes artificial intelligence to provide tailored learning materials, online tutorials, and video lessons. Gradely focuses on exam preparation and offers assessment reporting, tracking, and training tools for teachers, as well as computer-based tests and progress tracking for schools. The platform features weekly adaptive homework tests that enable real-time intervention for learning gaps by recommending specific practice sets, remedial videos, or tutoring based on students' performance. Teachers can quickly set up homework aligned with the WASCCE and Cambridge curricula, and the system generates progress reports for teachers, parents, and schools. Gradely aims to enhance learning outcomes by continuously adapting to students' needs through its data-driven approach.

Wootlab is a software development and talent management platform focused on creating employment opportunities for the unemployed and underemployed youth through technical upskilling.

DriversNg provides reliable and professionally trained drivers to individuals, companies and organisations all over Nigeria.

WorkNasi Plus is a platform empowering businesses in Africa by connecting them to the best-skilled freelancers and remote workers from across the continent.

Yu’sure connects established insurance providers with unemployed youth.

Stars From All Nations ® is a Ghana-based education social enterprise on a bold mission to unlock the potential of Africa’s young geniuses by helping them turn their passions into businesses and fulfilling careers. SFAN believes that young people are smart and if given the skills and opportunities to engage the real world, magic will happen! The team’s work stems from a desire to raise the next generation of leaders that will contribute to creating the most incredible economic phenomenon the world has ever seen on the continent. The company’s signature initiative, ReadyforWork, is a digital career accelerator that uses Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to equip entry-level job seekers with skills and help recruiters make data-driven hiring decisions.

Utiva is an education technology company that specializes in providing digital skills training for individuals and organizations, focusing on enhancing access to quality technology education in Africa. Founded in 2017 and based in Washington, D.C. with additional offices in Edinburgh and Lagos, Utiva combines classroom instruction with online learning to foster a collaborative and cohort-based learning environment. The platform supports remote interaction with facilitators and incorporates AI to enhance knowledge acquisition. Utiva offers training in various fields, including data science, agile development, growth hacking, product innovation, machine learning, and platform development. By engaging participants in real-world projects and market-based activities, Utiva promotes lifelong learning and equips individuals with the skills necessary to transition into new roles, regardless of their geographical location or internet access.

Urbansense is an on-demand service app that connects local vetted service providers with customers, regardless of the complexity of the job.

Ecomake Innovation provides practical engineering skills training and hands-on STEM skills to students for employment.

With a community of more than 70 000 people, Irawo is the go-to source to learn from successful creators. Irawo provides a platform where successful creators teach members how to turn their passion into a sustainable business, through interactive and collaborative challenges.

Tustawi is an e-learning specialist for professional development in Kenya, using technology to develop job-specific and market-relevant customized training.

Eneza Education, a.k.a. MPrep, was founded in 2011 by Kenyan teachers and educators serious about making technology useful for their students. From the rural areas of Nyanza to Wajir Town and the Mombasa Coast, Kenyan teachers united to create the content of our initial Class 7 and Class 8 study tool. We wanted a tool that combined the best of great teaching practices: scaffolded assessments, direct feedback, and high engagement. And we wanted to make sure ALL kids had access to our system. What better way to start than with a simple SMS-based system?

CoffeeChat is a coaching-as-a-service platform that provides companies with access to personalized one-on-one executive coaching for their managers. By democratizing access to coaching, CoffeeChat allows employers to empower their teams through curated sessions with a selection of qualified coaches and industry experts. This approach not only enhances individual development but also fosters growth within organizations by facilitating meaningful interactions between employees and experienced professionals.

Prim-U is an innovative online platform that serves the sustainable beauty and cosmetics industry by connecting customers and suppliers. Its primary focus is to minimize environmental impact throughout the value chain. The platform offers a comprehensive suite of tools and resources that empower users to make informed decisions, thereby promoting sustainability within the sector. Additionally, Prim-U facilitates on-demand booking for beauty professionals, allowing customers to find and book spas and salons based on their location and service ratings. This flexibility enables beauty freelancers to provide at-home services while accommodating varied schedules. By continuously updating its offerings with the latest industry trends and best practices, Prim-U ensures that its users remain informed and engaged in the evolving beauty landscape.

Afrilearn leverages genius tutors, animators, and developers to provide affordable, world-class education.

WeSettle is a Fintech platform that helps small and medium enterprises better manage their invoices digitally and allows them to quickly get paid electronically.

Khazna operates a mobile application platform designed to enhance financial services for Egyptians, particularly targeting the 50% of smartphone users who lack access to formal financial systems. The super app provides a range of services including General Purpose Credit, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), bill payments, savings, and insurance. It also facilitates cash advances for employees to address unforeseen emergencies and allows users to transfer and receive funds without incurring transaction fees. By focusing on digitizing cash transactions, Khazna aims to offer convenient, effective, and secure financial solutions, thereby improving financial inclusion in Egypt and potentially beyond.

Global Data Consortium Inc. is a provider of a software-as-a-service (SaaS) electronic identity verification platform designed to facilitate global digital identity verification for businesses. Its flagship product, Worldview, offers a single access point to local, high-quality reference data, enabling instant verification of consumer and business identities, as well as contact information and age verification across multiple countries. The platform supports various functionalities, including address verification, geo-coding, and address standardization, allowing businesses to seamlessly integrate identity verification into their systems. Serving a diverse clientele that includes e-commerce companies, logistics providers, and financial services firms across several continents, Global Data Consortium aims to empower businesses with tools to understand their customers, maintain compliance, and deliver real-time solutions. Founded in 2010, the company is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Youverify helps businesses and individuals confirm identity and physical addresses. Using AI, Youverify confirms a user’s identity document and compares it with their facial biometrics. This information can be cross-checked against more than 300 databases locally and globally. Youverify in partnership with over 20,000 field verification officers verifies physical addresses all over Sub-Sahara Africa in less than 48 hours. Youverify fills the gap in Africa's digital industry by providing one API for identity and physical address verification.

ReelFruit’s had its humble beginnings in a small apartment in Surulere, Lagos. In 2012, their founder birthed the idea of a new snack company; A first-of-its-kind that would offer dried fruit snacks, made in Nigeria but sold to the world. With this dream in mind, we launched their first range of dried mango and pineapple in March 2013, their first lucky break came from Prince Ebeano Supermarket, Lekki, who stocked their products – and the rest is history.

Complete Farmer is an end-to-end digital agriculture platform that provides industries with an easy way to cheaply source for quality farm produce and individuals anywhere in the world with a convenient way to own a farm by eliminating middlemen and farm produce aggregators.

Jokkolabs is a unique environment where entrepreneurs, creatives and innovators can develop their business quickly.

EtriLabs is a global education technology and research center project dedicated to the use of Information and communication technologies for development. It assists developers, social entrepreneurs, NGOs, businesses, and governments in developing and/or implementing creative technological solutions. It is an ecosystem of entrepreneurs who are developing alternatives.

Piggyvest enables Nigerian debit card holders save little amounts of money frequently with minimal effort. They automate the process of saving tiny amounts daily, weekly, or monthly; and then allowing you to withdraw for free on only set withdrawal dates thereby practically making saving more possible for you by eliminating the temptation to withdraw. Piggyvest is a platform that helps individuals and businesses manage their finances effectively - save and invest with ease. As Piggybank.ng, Piggyvest operated in partnership with 2 Microfinance banks and used their licenses. However, in early 2018, Piggyvest acquired Gold Microfinance bank and its license. Piggyvest is also a registered cooperative- Piggytech Cooperative Multipurpose Society Limited (Registration number, 16555). All saved funds are now warehoused with and managed by AIICO Capital, the leading asset management company in Nigeria, registered and licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Riby is a digital and financial services company that provides digital platforms for cooperatives, savings organizations, associations, micro and small businesses, and trade associations. The Riby platforms, in collaboration with banks, relevant corporates, payment and card processing companies, assist micro/small businesses and middle to low income salary earners within these groups/clusters in creating and managing bank or mobile money accounts and gaining access to financial services.

Patasente is a factoring platform for SMEs, workers and suppliers. They use us to purchase or sell on favorable payment terms.

Social Lender operates an online micro-credit lending platform designed to provide immediate access to funds for individuals with limited access to traditional credit. By connecting users' accounts with social media, the platform generates a social reputation score that helps determine their creditworthiness. This innovative approach allows individuals to apply for loans based on their social reputation, facilitating a quicker and more accessible borrowing process. Once approved, users can receive funds within minutes, enabling them to meet urgent financial needs while expanding their borrowing options beyond conventional banking institutions.

Mazima Retirement Plan is dedicated to assisting individuals in the formal sector with their retirement savings. The company has developed a savings platform that streamlines the collection of member contributions through standing orders and direct deposits. This platform enhances pension inclusion and social security, particularly for those in the informal sector, by providing access to banking services and funds managed by licensed fund managers. Through its efforts, Mazima Retirement Plan aims to ensure that more individuals can effectively prepare for their financial future.

Ensibuuko is a Ugandan startup that provides a cloud-based micro-finance software for community-level financial entities in Africa

Tulaa is a Nairobi-based company founded in 2017 that focuses on enhancing the agricultural sector by connecting smallholder farmers with suppliers, financial service providers, and commodity buyers. The company develops a software application that enables farmers to buy and sell agricultural products, facilitating access to affordable financing for inputs and improving market connections. By leveraging mobile technology and last mile agent networks, Tulaa aims to reduce the costs and risks associated with doing business in rural areas. The platform offers farmers essential information on farming supplies, credit options, and tailored advice, ultimately empowering them to improve sales and gain better access to markets.

Annona operates a mobile and web-based platform designed to enhance the management of small-scale producers within global supply chains. The platform allows suppliers to efficiently handle farmer supplies and payments while aggregating crop production data. By providing insight-based reports, Annona enables farmers, suppliers, and retailers to gain real-time access to vital supply chain information and financial identities. This traceable global food ecosystem supports better decision-making and fosters transparency across the agricultural sector.

Headquartered in Egypt, ennota is a young financial management startup, focusing on cash flow management, budgeting and projections for small businesses in the MENA region. Our flagship product, ennota.com, is a cloud based, cross platform cash flow management tool catering to small businesses in the MENA region.It is a cash flow management tool that is a secure and enables small businesses to record their transactions and view their data it in a visually intuitive way, specifically designed for business owners with no strong technical knowledge or strong accounting background. ennota.com is fully customizable, in order to allow businesses to tailor-fit their own business spending and expenditure categories, and view trends that are critical to them making informed business decisions based on their own data. Using crisp and powerful visual reporting, we enable business owners to get as detailed or summary level view of their business financials in simple manner.

Bankroll.ai is a fintech platform that uses artificial intelligence to help banks make smarter and faster consumer lending decisions. The company's technology utilizes machine learning to create a fully integratable platform for processing big data sets which capture customer decision-making and a long-term product map, enabling banks to manage credit risk, make smarter data-driven product decisions, and improve engagement. Bankroll.ai was founded in 2013 and is based in Dubai.

Baby Grubz is a social enterprise company that provides nutrition solution services for babies. The company produces and packages a wide range of affordable dried homemade cereals, grains, fruits, vegetables, and condiments that serve as a base to make a variety of yummy, nutritious, and fast meals. Baby Grubz was founded in 2013 and is based in Lagos, Nigeria.

Piggyvest enables Nigerian debit card holders save little amounts of money frequently with minimal effort. They automate the process of saving tiny amounts daily, weekly, or monthly; and then allowing you to withdraw for free on only set withdrawal dates thereby practically making saving more possible for you by eliminating the temptation to withdraw. Piggyvest is a platform that helps individuals and businesses manage their finances effectively - save and invest with ease. As Piggybank.ng, Piggyvest operated in partnership with 2 Microfinance banks and used their licenses. However, in early 2018, Piggyvest acquired Gold Microfinance bank and its license. Piggyvest is also a registered cooperative- Piggytech Cooperative Multipurpose Society Limited (Registration number, 16555). All saved funds are now warehoused with and managed by AIICO Capital, the leading asset management company in Nigeria, registered and licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Olivine Technology, founded in January 2010, is a software company that specializes in designing and developing automated data capture tools that integrate with best in class third party solutions such as, Quickbooks, Sage Evolution, SAP Business 1, SPSS, and Mpesa. Our solutions focus on the key challenges related to data capture, which are high monetary costs and length of time involved in capturing, transmitting, organizing, reporting, and analyzing data.

TalentBase is a payroll solution designed for African small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to streamline and enhance their human resource processes. The platform provides a comprehensive human resource management system that automates various tasks, including payroll calculation, employee leave tracking, and performance monitoring. Additionally, TalentBase offers recruitment advisory services, facilitating talent search, candidate screening, and leadership consulting. By consolidating these functions into a single platform, TalentBase enables businesses to efficiently manage employee information and optimize their HR operations.

Globally, three billion people cook with biomass. The use of open fires and inefficient cookstoves with fuels such as wood, charcoal, and kerosene causes serious environmental and health impacts that disproportionately affect underserved communities. PayGo Energy is a revolutionary cookstove solution and distribution system that enables consumers to access clean and efficient fuel at a price point that is within their daily energy budget.

LipaMobile’s Xuldime service is an integrated cashless platform for parents, school administrators, and school canteen vendors and suppliers to pay for school fees, supplies and services. The product is aimed at parents with no fixed earnings for whom lump sum payments of school fees can be difficult. It also offers a savings platform where parents can periodically load money and set payment dates for direct deposits into the school’s bank account.

ARED Group is a company focused on bridging the digital divide, particularly in developing countries. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda, ARED has developed a business-in-a-box solar kiosk platform that provides various services, including Internet access, intranet solutions for offline users, phone charging, airtime, mobile money, prepaid electricity, and tax payment services. The company aims to support underserved communities, including women and individuals with disabilities. ARED's innovative approach utilizes renewable energy through solar kiosks and mini-server platforms, which store digital applications closer to users, thereby reducing internet costs and enabling access to digital services. After several years of development, ARED began piloting its technology in six African countries in 2020, with a mission to eliminate the digital divide by creating a distributed infrastructure that enhances connectivity and accessibility for users.

Globally, three billion people cook with biomass. The use of open fires and inefficient cookstoves with fuels such as wood, charcoal, and kerosene causes serious environmental and health impacts that disproportionately affect underserved communities. PayGo Energy is a revolutionary cookstove solution and distribution system that enables consumers to access clean and efficient fuel at a price point that is within their daily energy budget.

Farmerline is an AgriTech startup that provides information access, record-keeping services, and communication for farmers. The company also provides paid services that allow farmers to have the information and access they need to employ an entrepreneurial method of farming. Input dealers and traders pay for more efficient communication channels to farmers and farmers pay for information packages and services. It offers input financing to farmers through organized groups, climate-smart farming education, logistics services, access to high-quality fertilizer and seeds, and other digital tools while connecting them to agribusinesses in international markets, allowing them to increase their crop yields and opening up trade networks and opportunities.

Atikus focuses on enhancing financial inclusion for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by offering technology-driven solutions, including credit insurance and loans. The company aims to address the capital needs of underserved demographics, particularly women, while improving the operational capabilities of lenders. By aligning financial inclusion efforts within a market, Atikus seeks to expand the availability and quality of financial products and services, thereby supporting the growth and development of MSMEs. Their approach emphasizes data utilization and risk management to create a more accessible financial landscape for small businesses.

Lekki Peninsula Affordable Schools (LPAS) will be established as a social enterprise which will provide high quality education to low income families at the lowest cost on a large scale. The schools will be affordable to Nigerians at the bottom of the Pyramid because the low fees charged will be all inclusive, covering tuition, books, uniforms, exams and extra lessons (including after school lessons and Saturdays). In addition, They will also have a flexible system of payment for families that can only pay weekly fees.

EDOM is a Kenya-based fortified flour and enriched porridge producer mitigating malnutrition in Sub-Sarahan Africa through a BoP-targeted sales strategy. The business has achieved a 68% revenue CAGR since inception, 4-fold net margin increase in 2013, and has a 4,000+ smallholder farmer network in Uganda and Kenya. With I-DEV support, EDOM has engaged a leading global impact investor to secure the first tranche of a multi-stage investment which will be used to provide WC and M&E financing to double production and extend BoP outreach.

UBELONG offers safe and affordable short-term volunteering opportunities in Asia, Latin America and Africa. UBELONG is based in Washington, DC and led by volunteers and university professors.

Lipisha enables businesses to connect, integrate and accept mobile money in Africa.

Access Afya Limited operates micro-clinics in low-income neighborhoods of Kenya, aiming to enhance healthcare accessibility for underserved populations. Founded in 2012 and based in Nairobi, the company provides a range of essential clinical and preventive services, including consultations, pharmacy services, rapid diagnostic tests, family planning, and immunizations. In addition to its clinic services, Access Afya implements healthcare programs in schools, offering health check-ups for children and teachers, health report cards, deworming, hand-washing education, and nutrition counseling. By utilizing a mini-clinic model and integrating the latest health technologies, Access Afya strives to deliver high-quality and efficient healthcare to communities that often lack adequate medical resources.