💰 A Funding Frenzy! 💰

From New Hires to Soaring Funds and Acquisitions.

Happy Friday 😄 🎉 


Welcome to this week’s edition of The Startups Chronicle brought to you by Startup Hub Africa🚀, the premier and most comprehensive African startup directory.

There Is No Beauty But the Beauty of Action.

— Moroccan proverb

In this edition, we're diving deep into an exciting week in the African startup ecosystem. From substantial venture capital funding to new CEO hires and acquisitions, it's been a whirlwind of activity.

As per tradition, we'll showcase exceptional startups, provide insights into an investor's profile and the VC landscape, and deliver the latest news on your favorite startups. Let's dive in to keep you ahead of the curve!

🚀 STARTUPS WATCH 🚀 

Here are the 5 top startups in the African eco-system we think you need to know:

🌟  Name  VALR

🏭️  Industry  Crypto

📆  Founded  2018

📍 Location  Johannesburg, South Africa 🇿🇦

💰️ Funding Raised  $55M

🧑‍🤝‍🧑  No. Of Employees  2-10

👥  Founders

  • 👤 Farzam Ehsani

  • 👤 Badi Sudhakaran

VALR distinguishes itself by its unwavering commitment to bridging the gap between traditional finance and the crypto sphere. While many platforms focus solely on either the conventional or digital currency realms, VALR stands out for its holistic approach, seamlessly integrating both worlds. This unique perspective enables VALR to offer users unparalleled access to a diverse range of financial assets and services, catering to the needs of both seasoned investors and newcomers alike.

As a pioneer in the field of financial innovation, VALR is not just a platform—it's a catalyst for change. By bridging the gap between traditional finance and cryptocurrencies, VALR is driving forward a new era of financial empowerment, one that prioritizes the collective welfare and celebrates the inherent oneness of humanity. With VALR, users have the opportunity to be part of this transformative journey towards a more inclusive and interconnected global economy.

In addition to its comprehensive offerings, VALR sets itself apart with its dedication to fostering financial inclusion and unity. By embracing the interconnectedness of humanity and transcending the limitations imposed by national borders, VALR is paving the way for a more accessible and equitable financial future.

In the News:

🌟  Name  Credable

🏭️  Industry  Financial Services

📆  Founded  2021

📍 Location  Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania 🇹🇿 

💰️ Funding Raised  3M USD

🧑‍🤝‍🧑  No. Of Employees  11-50

👥  Founders

  • 👤 Nadeem Juma

We've been exploring Credable for a while now, a Digital Banking Platform revolutionizing financial services for businesses. It seamlessly connects businesses with Financial Institutions, catering to the needs of underbanked populations.

Impressively, Credable's trusted by top Mobile Operators, NeoBanks, Fintechs, and traditional Banks. Their platform integrates scoring capabilities and efficiently processes data, enabling real-time credit risk pricing.

What caught our attention is how Credable empowers the underbanked with personalized financial services, directly accessible through familiar channels. It's a game-changer!

In the News:

🌟  Name  PalmPay

🏭️  Industry  Financial Services

📆  Founded  2019

📍 Location  Lagos, Nigeria 🇳🇬 

💰️ Funding Raised  140M USD

🧑‍🤝‍🧑  No. Of Employees  51-200

👥  Founders

  • 👤 Greg Reeve - CEO 

  • 👤 Jason Mycroft - Chief Commercial Officer

PalmPay emerges as a straightforward and secure payment application offering rewards to its users. This innovative app facilitates fast money transfers between friends and simplifies payments for airtime and utilities. Since its inception in 2019, PalmPay has set ambitious goals to become Africa's largest financial services platform, driven by its commitment to user convenience and satisfaction.

What distinguishes PalmPay is its transformative impact on underserved communities, offering accessible financial services paired with enticing rewards. Through its intuitive platform, PalmPay fosters financial inclusion by providing a seamless experience tailored to users' needs. By empowering individuals and businesses across Africa, PalmPay is poised to drive economic growth and prosperity in the region.

In the News:

🌟  Name  Terraa

🏭️  Industry  AgTech

📆  Founded  2022

📍 Location  Casablanca, Morocco 🇲🇦 

💰️ Funding Raised  2M USD

🧑‍🤝‍🧑  No. Of Employees  11-50

👥  Founders

  • 👤 Benoit De Vigne - Co-Founder and COO 

  • 👤 Youssef Benkirane - Co-Founder

Terraa tackles one of Africa's most daunting challenges using state-of-the-art technology. By directly linking farmers with retailers, restaurants, and service providers, Terraa revolutionizes the agricultural sector. Launched with a mission in 2019, Terraa aims to address food supply chain inefficiencies and become a leader in sustainable agriculture across the continent.

What distinguishes Terraa is its unwavering focus on sustainability, offering not just economic advantages but also environmental responsibility. Through initiatives such as reducing food waste and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, freshwater usage, and land utilization, Terraa actively contributes to a greener food supply chain. With its forward-thinking platform, Terraa is laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and prosperous future across Africa.

In the News:

🌟  Name  Peach Cars

🏭️  Industry  Marketplace

📆  Founded  2020

📍 Location  Nairobi, Kenya 🇰🇪 

💰️ Funding Raised  5M USD

🧑‍🤝‍🧑  No. Of Employees  11-50

👥  Founders

  • 👤 Kaoru Kaganoi - Founder & CEO 

  • 👤 Zachary Petroni - Co-Founder & COO

Peach Cars is a groundbreaking e-commerce solution originating from Kenya, poised to transform car ownership across sub-Saharan Africa. Founded on the principles of innovation and efficiency, Peach Cars established itself with an automotive marketplace. Through a blend of cutting-edge technology and robust offline operations, Peach Cars addresses key pain points in the market for locally-used vehicles, offering customers unparalleled quality, convenience, and value.

The company's rapid growth highlights its potential to revolutionize the automotive landscape and elevate the car ownership experience across Africa. What distinguishes Peach Cars is its holistic approach to car ownership, acknowledging the significance of cars beyond transportation—they symbolize opportunities and life experiences. With a dedication to building Africa's first full-stack automotive service, Peach Cars aims to cater to every aspect of car ownership, ensuring customer satisfaction and driving innovation to enrich the lives of car owners continent-wide.

In the News:

💼 💰️ VENTURE CAPITAL WATCH 💼 💰️ 

A month into the second quarter of 2024 heralds a promising surge in cash flow into the African startup ecosystem. The market's doors swing wide open, beckoning investors with enticing opportunities. Recent weeks have seen a flurry of activity, with numerous startups successfully securing substantial funding rounds, collectively surpassing the impressive milestone of $10 million. This influx of capital not only underscores growing confidence in the region's entrepreneurial landscape but also signifies a vibrant ecosystem ripe with innovation and potential post-COVID-19.

The momentum of investment cascading into African startups demonstrates a significant shift in global perceptions. Investors are increasingly recognizing the untapped potential and diverse opportunities the continent offers.

As financial barriers diminish and confidence swells, the stage is set for a dynamic evolution, where African startups emerge as pivotal players in the global economy, driving innovation, and fostering prosperity across the continent.

Voltron Capital, established in 2021 and based in Lagos, Nigeria, specializes in early-stage investments, prioritizing partnerships with Bold African Founders. Their mission is to support exceptional entrepreneurs addressing critical challenges across the continent. 
By investing early, primarily at pre-seed and seed stages, they aim to unlock the immense potential within large markets, striving for substantial exits. 
With a diverse portfolio of over 60 companies spanning 7 African countries and 14 industries, Voltron Capital is dedicated to driving innovation and fostering growth in the African startup ecosystem.

Their investment portfolio includes:

➜  Fez

➜  Shekez Mobility

➜  Payourse

➜  Remedial Health

➜  Norebase

➜  EarniPay

➜  Mecho Autotech

➜  Traction Apps

📺️ MEDIA WATCH 📺️  

Here are the 5 key things in the news this week that you need to know:

If you have any comments or feedback, just respond to this email!

Thanks for reading. Do have a lovely week-end ahead.

Gitonga, the Stoic Founder at StartupHub.Africa 🚀

Jack Samurai GIF