๐Ÿ’ฐ A Funding Frenzy! ๐Ÿ’ฐ

From New Hires to Soaring Funds and Acquisitions.

Happy Friday ๐Ÿ˜„ ๐ŸŽ‰ 


Welcome to this weekโ€™s edition of The Startups Chronicle brought to you by Startup Hub Africa๐Ÿš€, the premier and most comprehensive African startup directory.

โ

There Is No Beauty But the Beauty of Action.

โ€” 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!

โŸน ๐Ÿš€ STARTUPS WATCH ๐Ÿš€ โŸธ

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

๐ŸŒŸ  Name  โžœ VALR

๐Ÿญ๏ธ  Industry  โžœ Crypto

๐Ÿ“†  Founded  โžœ 2018

๐Ÿ“ Location  โžœ Johannesburg, South Africa ๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆ

๐Ÿ’ฐ๏ธ Funding Raised  โžœ $55M

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿคโ€๐Ÿง‘  No. Of Employees  โžœ 2-10

๐Ÿ‘ฅ  Founders

  • ๐Ÿ‘ค Farzam Ehsani

  • ๐Ÿ‘ค 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 platformโ€”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:

๐ŸŒŸ  Name  โžœ Credable

๐Ÿญ๏ธ  Industry  โžœ Financial Services

๐Ÿ“†  Founded  โžœ 2021

๐Ÿ“ Location  โžœ Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ฟ 

๐Ÿ’ฐ๏ธ Funding Raised  โžœ 3M USD

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿคโ€๐Ÿง‘  No. Of Employees  โžœ 11-50

๐Ÿ‘ฅ  Founders

  • ๐Ÿ‘ค 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:

๐ŸŒŸ  Name  โžœ PalmPay

๐Ÿญ๏ธ  Industry  โžœ Financial Services

๐Ÿ“†  Founded  โžœ 2019

๐Ÿ“ Location  โžœ Lagos, Nigeria ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ 

๐Ÿ’ฐ๏ธ Funding Raised  โžœ 140M USD

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿคโ€๐Ÿง‘  No. Of Employees  โžœ 51-200

๐Ÿ‘ฅ  Founders

  • ๐Ÿ‘ค Greg Reeve - CEO 

  • ๐Ÿ‘ค 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:

๐ŸŒŸ  Name  โžœ Terraa

๐Ÿญ๏ธ  Industry  โžœ AgTech

๐Ÿ“†  Founded  โžœ 2022

๐Ÿ“ Location  โžœ Casablanca, Morocco ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฆ 

๐Ÿ’ฐ๏ธ Funding Raised  โžœ 2M USD

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿคโ€๐Ÿง‘  No. Of Employees  โžœ 11-50

๐Ÿ‘ฅ  Founders

  • ๐Ÿ‘ค Benoit De Vigne - Co-Founder and COO 

  • ๐Ÿ‘ค 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:

๐ŸŒŸ  Name  โžœ Peach Cars

๐Ÿญ๏ธ  Industry  โžœ Marketplace

๐Ÿ“†  Founded  โžœ 2020

๐Ÿ“ Location  โžœ Nairobi, Kenya ๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ช 

๐Ÿ’ฐ๏ธ Funding Raised  โžœ 5M USD

๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿคโ€๐Ÿง‘  No. Of Employees  โžœ 11-50

๐Ÿ‘ฅ  Founders

  • ๐Ÿ‘ค Kaoru Kaganoi - Founder & CEO 

  • ๐Ÿ‘ค 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 transportationโ€”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:

โŸน ๐Ÿ’ผ ๐Ÿ’ฐ๏ธ VENTURE CAPITAL WATCH ๐Ÿ’ผ ๐Ÿ’ฐ๏ธ โŸธ

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:

โžœ  Fez

โžœ  Shekez Mobility

โžœ  Payourse

โžœ  Remedial Health

โžœ  Norebase

โžœ  EarniPay

โžœ  Mecho Autotech

โžœ  Traction Apps

โŸน ๐Ÿ“บ๏ธ MEDIA WATCH ๐Ÿ“บ๏ธ  โŸธ

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 ๐Ÿš€

Jack Samurai GIF