Zephyr Acorn

Emata is a fintech company focused on transforming the agricultural sector in Africa by providing affordable digital loans to smallholder farmers. By leveraging a fully digital platform, machine learning, and collaborations with agricultural intermediaries such as cooperatives and aggregators, Emata streamlines the loan application process, making financing accessible and efficient for farmers. The company's innovative approach includes AI-powered alternative credit scoring, which enables farmers to secure funding to invest in their operations and enhance their revenue potential. As a licensed microfinance institution, Emata aims to empower farmers to achieve their ambitions and contribute to addressing the growing food needs in the region.

Arifu is a digital education platform based in Nairobi, Kenya, that provides personalized and free learning experiences primarily focused on farming techniques and financial literacy. Founded in 2013, Arifu utilizes an SMS chatbot accessible on both smart and feature phones, enabling users to learn through various messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. The platform features an Adaptive Learning System that tailors educational content to individual user needs and capabilities. Arifu also designs behaviorally-informed training programs and data collection initiatives. By creating a content marketplace and collaborating with subject matter experts, Arifu aims to improve knowledge acquisition and skill development, making information and opportunities readily available to its users.

Power is a platform that provides financial services to employees and gig workers across sub-Saharan Africa. They enable individuals to access earned wages, loans, insurance, payments, and savings so they can live with dignity, reduce financial-related stress, and take control of their financial well-being.

Money254 operates a loan comparison platform designed to simplify financial decision-making for users in Kenya. By aggregating and reviewing financial and insurance products from established institutions, it provides a centralized marketplace where customers can easily search and compare various offerings. The platform aims to create transparency and equal access to financial information, helping users make informed choices in a fast and efficient manner.

Turaco Inc. is an insurance technology company that specializes in providing health and life insurance services to low-income groups. Established in 2018 and based in Wilmington, Delaware, Turaco utilizes mobile technology to offer simplified insurance products and on-demand health loans. This approach addresses the healthcare financing needs of its customers, enabling them to access affordable medical coverage through manageable monthly premiums. By developing user-friendly mobile applications and online platforms, Turaco aims to enhance access to essential insurance services, particularly in emerging markets.

4G Capital, founded in 2013 and based in Nairobi, Kenya, specializes in providing instant access credit to small business owners in Africa, particularly targeting self-employed informal market traders. The company offers unsecured loans and financial literacy training tailored to micro-entrepreneurs operating in low-income sectors, including agriculture and trade. Utilizing proprietary machine learning technology, 4G Capital delivers insights from data-scarce environments to create scalable credit products that align with clients' business risks and affordability. Clients can access loans quickly through mobile money, and the company achieves high collection rates without requiring collateral or refinancing. With operations in Kenya and Uganda, 4G Capital has positively impacted over one million individuals and demonstrates a strong commitment to improving financial literacy and sustainable growth for small businesses. The company reports significant increases in client revenues and boasts a high percentage of repeat customers, particularly among women and rural traders.

Africa AI Labs utilizes community infrastructure to enable remote data labeling workforces in Africa, and crack the mass market for remote, gig work at scale.

Antara Health is a provider of health and managed care services aimed at enhancing patient-centered healthcare, particularly in emerging markets. The company offers a suite of services that includes access to trained nurses and an application that allows patients to connect with doctors at any time. Additionally, Antara Health provides support for physical therapy, nutrition, and fitness, enabling patients to maintain healthier lifestyles. By focusing on care coordination and accessibility, the company seeks to deliver cost-effective healthcare solutions to its users.

Turaco Inc. is an insurance technology company that specializes in providing health and life insurance services to low-income groups. Established in 2018 and based in Wilmington, Delaware, Turaco utilizes mobile technology to offer simplified insurance products and on-demand health loans. This approach addresses the healthcare financing needs of its customers, enabling them to access affordable medical coverage through manageable monthly premiums. By developing user-friendly mobile applications and online platforms, Turaco aims to enhance access to essential insurance services, particularly in emerging markets.

GET IT is providing produce and dry goods delivery services, including cold storage, beginning with hotels and restaurants. Through its focus on systems, training and superior execution, GET IT seeks to solve the deficiency of cold storage and logistics services in Rwanda and beyond. The company sources produce directly from farmers, cutting out several middlemen who add little value, providing higher quality products at lower cost. GET IT is also introducing new, high demand products to the East African market.

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.

Shortlist Professional Services Private Limited operates an online recruitment platform focused on helping employers in India and East Africa hire candidates based on skills and potential rather than traditional credentials. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Mumbai, the company serves junior to mid-level and commercial roles, sourcing candidates from local markets. The platform employs predictive chat-based interviews and online competency assessments to streamline the hiring process, allowing employers to bypass the more time-consuming and biased stages of recruitment. Through its innovative approach, Shortlist aims to support growing enterprises in finding the right talent efficiently and effectively.

Custos Media Technologies, founded in 2014 and based in Stellenbosch, South Africa, specializes in digital media security, management, and distribution services for content owners. The company utilizes imperceptible watermarking technology combined with blockchain to safeguard media files against online piracy. Its solutions include a media rights management system that quickly detects compromised content and a content distribution service supported by hosted server infrastructure. Custos also offers Screenercopy.com, a software-as-a-service platform that enables filmmakers and distributors to securely share their content, having protected over 120,000 movies without any leaks. Additionally, Custos is expanding its offerings to include protection for e-books, music, and sensitive documents through partnerships with key industry players.

Shortlist Professional Services Private Limited operates an online recruitment platform focused on helping employers in India and East Africa hire candidates based on skills and potential rather than traditional credentials. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Mumbai, the company serves junior to mid-level and commercial roles, sourcing candidates from local markets. The platform employs predictive chat-based interviews and online competency assessments to streamline the hiring process, allowing employers to bypass the more time-consuming and biased stages of recruitment. Through its innovative approach, Shortlist aims to support growing enterprises in finding the right talent efficiently and effectively.

BitPesa Ltd. is a digital currency exchange based in Karen, Kenya, that facilitates the conversion of Bitcoin to Kenyan Shillings. Founded in 2013, the company operates an online platform that utilizes blockchain technology to streamline business payments and trade between Africa and the global market. BitPesa provides both individuals and institutions with wholesale cryptocurrency liquidity, ensuring fast settlement and a range of currency options. Recognized for its security measures and liquidity, it holds the distinction of being the first blockchain company licensed by the UK's Financial Conduct Authority and adheres to strict Know Your Customer (KYC) practices. The company has successfully traded over $500 million, establishing itself as a leading player in the African cryptocurrency exchange landscape.

Yum Kenya is an online food ordering service based in Kenya. It enables users to browse through the menus of a wide range of Nairobi restaurants, place an order, and pay online. Yum Kenya was founded in 2012 and is based in Nairobi, Kenya.