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Published: 06-04-2018 16:44:00 | By: Nico Scherphuis | hits: 3821281 | Tags:











5 fintech trends to prepare for in 2024, Plug and Play
Published: 19-02-2024 | 12:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau














Swedish fintech Brite Payments raises $60m to accelerate instant bank payments across Europe
Published: 04-10-2023 | 15:34:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Brite Payments has announced a $60m funding round.


Data from 400+ startups indicates massive SVB and FRB fallout on startup banking sector
Published: 27-09-2023 | 11:56:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kruze Consulting has analyzed banking data from 400+ startups.


Backbase partners with FrankieOne to provide digital onboarding solutions in Australia
Published: 27-09-2023 | 10:10:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Backbase announced its strategic partnership with FrankieOne.


Big name VCs back startup to solve multi-billion dollar banking problem
Published: 13-09-2023 | 13:41:08 | By: Pie Kamau
Fintech startup N5 has secured the backing of a number of high profile investors.


Brex taps Jason Mok to support the next generation of founders
Published: 29-06-2023 | 13:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Brex announced that Jason Mok has joined the team to support commitment to serving startups and their founders.


The role of crypto-friendly banks in facilitating financial inclusion, Plug and Play
Published: 26-06-2023 | 13:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Financial inclusion is a key aspect of economic growth and development.


Startups flock to too-big-fo-fail banks, Kruze Consulting
Published: 29-05-2023 | 13:20:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Based on data from 160+ venture fund startups and more than $2 billion in cash, startups have been flocking to the major banks


FlowX.AI raises $35m to transform application modernization at large banks
Published: 23-05-2023 | 11:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
FlowX.AI announced it has raised a $35 million Series A funding round.


ABBANK accelerates banking transformation with Backbase Platform in Vietnam
Published: 12-04-2023 | 12:56:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Backbase, the global player in Engagement Banking, has partnered An Binh Bank (ABBANK) to transform the banking experiences for millions of Vietnamese customers.


Nigerian fintech startup Moni unveils new community-powered digital loans for African SMEs
Published: 04-04-2023 | 13:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nigerian fintech startup Moni has launched a new range of business loans targeting SMEs in Africa.


Why open finance is the future, Plug and Play
Published: 27-03-2023 | 13:28:00 | By: Pie Kamau
In 2018, the UK made history as the world’s first Open Banking Standard was implemented, establishing the foundations for the nation’s pioneering ecosystem and setting a blueprint for other countries. 


First Citizens Bank enters into whole bank purchase of Silicon Valley Bridge Bank, N.A.
Published: 27-03-2023 | 13:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
First Citizens Bank, has entered into an agreement with FDIC to purchase out of FDIC receivership substantially all loans and certain other assets, and assume all customer deposits and certain other liabilities of Silicon Valley Bridge Bank, N.A.


[Column] Takalane Khashane: Building a digital, sustainable bank for the future
Published: 20-03-2023 | 14:00:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Banking, like many other sectors, has responded to rapid change and evolving customer needs by developing a digital strategy. 


VION Investments offers immediate funding to companies affected by SVB and Signature Bank collapse
Published: 15-03-2023 | 12:36:26 | By: Pie Kamau
The collapse of SVB Bank and Signature Bank, the largest such failures since 2008, have sent shockwaves through the financial markets, hitting startups and companies reliant on venture capital hardest.


How DeFi is disrupting traditional banking and financial services
Published: 08-03-2023 | 10:53:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The traditional banking and financial services industry has long been the cornerstone of the global economy. It has provided access to capital, enabled trade, and facilitated financial transactions for centuries.


Decentralized finance companies are shifting from centralization, Plug and Play
Published: 22-02-2023 | 14:25:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Decentralized finance, commonly referred to as DeFi, is an emerging technology aimed at building a new financial system that is open to everyone and does not depend on traditional financial intermediaries, such as banks, lenders, etc.


SC Ventures partners with Yabx to expand access to financial services in Africa
Published: 20-02-2023 | 14:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
SC Ventures announced it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yabx , a company incubated by Comviva and part of the Mahindra Group, to address a deep need for responsible consumer finance in Africa.


Swiss startup Taurus raises $65m to further develop its digital asset platform, fuel international expansion
Published: 14-02-2023 | 08:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Taurus, the digital asset infrastructure provider for financial institutions in Europe, announced a $65 million Series B capital raise from strategic investors.


Spanish fintech startup Snab closes €1.1m investment round to grow its B2B payments platform
Published: 06-02-2023 | 14:56:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Snab, the Spanish payment platform that allows payments and transfers between companies in one click, has raised €1.1 million in its first funding round.


South African digital lender Lulalend raises $35m Series B funding to accelerate growth
Published: 06-02-2023 | 14:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Lulalend, a South African digital lender offering funding options for businesses. has raised $35 million in Series B funding to accelerate the growth of its loan book and bring new solutions to the market.


Finance software startup Quartr signs API deal with Nordnet to enhance informed investment decisions
Published: 06-02-2023 | 12:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Finance software startup Quartr signed an API deal with Nordnet, the online broker in the Nordic region, reaching almost two million customers.


European digital asset platform Bitpanda launches SaaS product for banks, fintechs
Published: 30-01-2023 | 09:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Bitpanda, a European digital asset platform, announced the launch of Bitpanda Technology Solutions, the most scalable Investing-as a-service infrastructure available in Europe and globally.


Nigerian fintech firm TeamApt reaches annualized payments volume of $170 billion, rebrands to Moniepoint
Published: 16-01-2023 | 12:07:00 | By: Pie Kamau
TeamApt Incorporated, the business banking platform in Nigeria, has adopted the name of its flagship product - Moniepoint, a testament to its success as the all-in-one digital banking solution for businesses.


Plesion Capital invests $500,000 funding in Ugandan fintech platform Xeno
Published: 09-01-2023 | 10:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Plesion Capital announced its formation as a social impact venture capital firm focused on partnering with mission-based entrepreneurs and companies to combat poverty around the world.


Mendoza Ventures closes $100m early growth fintech fund anchored by Bank of America
Published: 09-01-2023 | 09:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Mendoza Ventures, a Latinx-founded Fintech, AI, and Cybersecurity Venture Capital firm, has achieved a first close on its third fund.


Regent Bank names Peter Mullen as Director of Venture and Tech Banking
Published: 04-01-2023 | 14:57:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Regent Bank has named Peter Mullen Director of Venture and Tech Banking, as the migration of talent from traditional innovation hubs like the Bay Area and NYC continues to Midwestern cities.


Fintech enabler Ukheshe secures Series A funding to accelerate international expansion
Published: 22-12-2022 | 10:10:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Ukheshe International, the UK-headquartered division of digital-first, Banking as a Service (BaaS) enabler Ukheshe, announced the conclusion of an investment agreement that will help accelerate its international expansion.


HashKey and SEBA Bank partner to accelerate institutional adoption of digital assets in Hong Kong and Switzerland
Published: 05-12-2022 | 10:18:00 | By: Pie Kamau
HashKey and SEBA Bank announced a partnership to leverage their digital asset service offerings as well as custody and asset management products to accelerate institutional adoption of digital assets.


MyMonty calls to all banks, MNOs and startups: the time for digitization is now!
Published: 28-11-2022 | 09:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
In 1998, Mountasser Hachem founded Monty Holding, which has since become a giant in the telco sector, achieving unprecedented global penetration.


Nigerian money app Kuda launches in the UK
Published: 11-11-2022 | 07:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nigerian money app Kuda, announced it is launching in the UK as part of a global expansion drive with a view to serving the cross-border transfer needs of UK-based Nigerians.


Dutch fintech venture Yabx expands into Nigeria
Published: 10-11-2022 | 13:53:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Yabx, a fintech venture headquartered at Netherlands, announced its foray into Nigerian markets with a mission to democratize credit across the country with its digital lending offerings.


Nigerian lending startup Payhippo acquires Maritime Microfinance Bank
Published: 08-11-2022 | 14:15:54 | By: Pie Kamau
Nigeria’s credit-led SME fintech Payhippo has acquired Maritime Microfinance Bank (MFB), a financial institution specializing in saving products, demand deposits, and investments as well as micro and SME loans


GS1 Hong Kong unlocks the next generation of trade finance service for SMEs in China
Published: 31-10-2022 | 07:21:00 | By: Pie Kamau
GS1 Hong Kong (GS1 HK) announced it has welcomed the launch of Commercial Data Interchange (CDI) by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA).


Kenyan fintech startup Tanda announces agency banking entry in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania
Published: 28-10-2022 | 13:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan fintech startup Tanda announced plans for agency banking entry in Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania to accelerate growth within the East African markets.


Swiss settlement banking startup Arf raises $13m seed seed round to further develop its blockchain-based technology
Published: 26-10-2022 | 10:00:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Arf, the VQF-regulated global settlement banking platform using Web3 technologies has raised $13 million in a seed round with the participation of industry leaders.


Mobile banking fintech NorthOne raises $67m Series B funding to accelerate growth across small business communities
Published: 17-10-2022 | 13:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
NorthOne announced it has raised $67 million in Series B funding. With participation from new and existing investors, NorthOne is poised to further expand the reach of its business management platform.


African fintech startup Flutterwave launches eNaira payments for businesses in Nigeria
Published: 16-09-2022 | 11:06:57 | By: Pie Kamau
Flutterwave, Africa's payments technology company announced its merchants can now process payments in eNaira, the Nigerian digital currency issued and distributed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.


African fintech startup Flutterwave secures switching and processing license from Central Bank of Nigeria
Published: 05-09-2022 | 14:11:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Flutterwave, Africa's payments technology company has been granted a Switching and Processing License by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), widely regarded as CBN's most valuable payments processing license.


Kenyan fintech startup Pezesha raises $11m to expand across Africa
Published: 01-09-2022 | 14:36:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Pezesha, a Kenyan fintech that has built a platform where small and medium enterprises can access funding, has raised $11 million in a pre-series A equity and debt funding.


Pomelo fintech launches with $20m seed capital
Published: 17-08-2022 | 15:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Pomelo announced a Series Seed of $20 million in venture capital and $50m in warehouse facility for a total of $70m in seed financing, and is the first company to combine credit and international money transfer.


Fintech startup Bizao raises €8m Series A funding to accelerate its footprint across Africa
Published: 26-07-2022 | 10:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Bizao, a fintech that facilitates payments for both local and international businesses operating in Africa, announced a €8 million Series A funding to accelerate its geographical footprint across the continent and invest in the design of new lines of products and services.


Nigerian fintech infrastructure startup Bloc acquires payments company Orchestrate
Published: 26-07-2022 | 10:24:55 | By: Pie Kamau
Bloc, the Nigerian fintech infrastructure provider, has announced the acquisition of Orchestrate (previously Getwallets), a proprietary payments orchestration startup that gives businesses instant access to multiple payment providers with one integration.


Social impact fintech DreamStart Labs partners with BRAC Bank to reach unbanked women in Bangladesh
Published: 20-07-2022 | 09:25:00 | By: Pie Kamau
DreamStart Labs, a fintech for emerging markets, and BRAC Bank, a commercial bank in Bangladesh, have entered into an agreement to provide digital financial services to unbanked women in Bangladesh.


Flagstar Bank completes third MortgageTech Accelerator program
Published: 15-07-2022 | 12:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Flagstar Bank announced it has wrapped up its third MortgageTech Accelerator program - the first and only accelerator in the United States solely dedicated to mortgage technology.


London-based fintech startup Griffin raises $15m to become the bank fintechs can build on
Published: 08-07-2022 | 13:14:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Griffin, a Banking as a Service (BaaS) fintech firm, announced it has raised $15.5 million funding to launch the OS for embedded finance.


African fintech Flutterwave appoints Gurbhej Dhillon as new CTO
Published: 06-07-2022 | 11:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Flutterwave, Africa’s payments technology company, announced the appointment of former Goldman Sachs’ Managing Director, Gurbhej Dhillon as Chief Technology Officer (CTO).


Nigerian fintech startup Mono launches in Kenya
Published: 06-07-2022 | 11:43:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Mono, a Nigerian fintech startup that builds open banking infrastructure to enable access to customer financial data and bank payments for digital businesses in Africa, announced it has expanded its services to Kenya.


Neomoon digital bank raises $850k in first seed capital investment round
Published: 05-07-2022 | 14:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Neomoon, the digital bank based on stablecoin which offers Latin Americans financial solutions to protect their money from devaluation and facilitate daily transactions, announced the closing of $850k first seed capital investment round.


Dutch-based startup Backbase raises €120m in growth equity funding
Published: 05-07-2022 | 14:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Backbase, creator of the category-leading Engagement Banking platform, raised €120 million in growth equity funding from Motive Partners.


Dutch fintech Backbase secures €120m funding to accelerate growth
Published: 09-06-2022 | 12:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Dutch financial technology company Backbase, the creator of the category-leading Engagement Banking platform, raised €120 million in growth equity funding from Motive Partners.


Crypto Valley Venture Capital firm launches early-stage fund targeting African blockchain startups
Published: 23-05-2022 | 17:15:28 | By: Pie Kamau
Crypto Valley Venture Capital (CV VC), announced the launch of its African Blockchain Early-Stage Fund targeting blockchain startups from across Africa.


Banking-as-a-Service startup Unit raises $100m Series C round to accelerate product development
Published: 18-05-2022 | 13:05:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Unit, the banking-as-a-service platform that empowers companies to embed financial services in their products, announced it has raised a $100 million in a Series C round led by global software investor Insight Partners.


Lithuanian fintech startup kevin. secures $65m to disrupt payments sector, unlock open banking
Published: 04-05-2022 | 13:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
kevin., the Lithuanian fintech startup providing an advanced A2A (account-to-account) payment infrastructure to replace costly card transactions, announced it has secured $65 million in Series A funding.


SVB debuts fellowship program to foster next-gen of Black, Latinx and women venture capital leaders
Published: 07-04-2022 | 16:40:00 | By: Pie Kamau
SVB Financial Group (SVB), financial partner of the innovation economy and parent company of Silicon Valley Bank, announced the SVB Fellows Program, a fellowship program for Black, Latinx and women professionals.


Fintech startup Credrails partners with Access Bank to foster the future of finance in Africa
Published: 05-04-2022 | 12:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Access Bank has partnered with financial infrastructure startup Credrails to develop open finance rails that will dramatically improve the experience of banking customers across the continent.


African fintech Flutterwave goes live in Tanzania
Published: 30-03-2022 | 10:52:33 | By: Pie Kamau
African fintech Flutterwave announced it has gained approval from the Bank of Tanzania (BoT) to launch its payment service in the country.


Smart addressing startup OkHi secures $1.5m seed funding to drive smart address verification in Africa
Published: 10-03-2022 | 15:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Smart addressing startup, OkHi, has secured a $1.5 million seed extension, bringing the total of its seed funding to $3 million. This raise is supported by notable firms and individuals who, beyond funding, bring a wealth of expertise to OkHi.


[Kenya] Applications for 5th cohort of Standard Chartered Bank's Women in Tech program open
Published: 10-03-2022 | 15:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Standard Chartered Bank has opened applications for the 5th cohort of its Women in Tech incubator program.


iCapital expands strategic partnership with Bank of Singapore
Published: 01-03-2022 | 14:35:16 | By: Bob Koigi
With the deal, iCapital takes over the management and operation of the bank’s private market feeder funds while Bank of Singapore retains client servicing responsibilities.


African fintech Flutterwave rebrands, introduces new products and services
Published: 21-02-2022 | 14:31:00 | By: Pie Kamau
African fintech startup Flutterwave has unveiled a significant re-brand and identity during the Flutterwave 3.0, virtual event held on Friday, 18th February 2022.


[African Startup Review] Pie Kamau: Nigerian fintech Flutterwave is now Africa's highest valued Unicorn
Published: 18-02-2022 | 18:28:00 | By: Pie Kamau
As the African fintech industry continues to bloom, so does the funding. Flutterwave has now become Africa's highest valued startup after closing $250 million Series D funding, bringing the company’s valuation to over $3 billion.


Brazilian fintech startup Trace Finance raises $4.3m seed investment to disrupt global banking for Latin American startups
Published: 16-02-2022 | 10:35:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Trace Finance, a Brazilian fintech startup that enables faster and more streamlined cross-border banking for startups, has announced a $4.3 million seed funding round.


Fintech startups hub Abaca crosses $2b in compliant cannabis commerce
Published: 07-02-2022 | 12:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cannabis banking fintech company Abaca surpassed compliantly processing more than two billion dollars in commerce for the cannabis industry.


F-Prime Capital launches F-Prime Fintech Index to track the performance of disruptive fintech startups
Published: 01-02-2022 | 13:27:00 | By: Pie Kamau
F-Prime Capital announced the launch of The F-Prime Fintech Index, designed to track the performance of disruptive fintech companies enabling the delivery of core financial services across payments.


Bank of America commits $20m to Invest Detroit Ventures' early-stage startup fund
Published: 31-01-2022 | 13:55:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Invest Detroit Ventures (IDV) announced an investment from Bank of America to support IDV Fund IV, a newly-established $20 million fund that provides capital investment to Michigan startups during early, critical stages of development.


Canadian fintech startup Periculum launches in Nigeria to build credit assessment infrastructure for Africa
Published: 17-01-2022 | 14:28:28 | By: Pie Kamau
Canadian fintech startup and credit assessment company Periculum, has launched in Nigeria to tackle the challenge of domestic credit to the underserved markets.


Seattle-based fintech startup Seashell unveils inflation-resistant investment product alongside $6m seed round
Published: 17-01-2022 | 14:22:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Seashell, the fintech company dedicated to building a consumer-first, modern banking and investment experience, emerged from stealth with the announcement of Seashell Save.


British Fintech Farm raises $7.4m to launch Neobanks in 8 countries
Published: 17-01-2022 | 14:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Fintech Farm, a British fintech company creating neobanks in emerging markets, raised $7.4 million investment to develop its new project.


 Fintech startup Rêv enters U.S. payments market with the launch of an app-based multi-currency debit account
Published: 05-01-2022 | 10:56:22 | By: Bob Koigi
The X World Wallet account is easy to load from a user's existing bank account(s) and is linked to physical and digital Visa cards that can be easily added to Apple, Google, and Samsung Pay digital wallets for tap and go convenience.


Kenyan fintech startup Paylend raises $2m seed investment to accelerate growth
Published: 21-12-2021 | 12:27:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Paylend, a Kenyan fintech startup focused on providing access to finance and digitizing MSMEs in Kenya announced it has raised $2 million seed investment from Next Chymia Consulting HK Limited.


Philanthropi startup raises $4m to power charitable giving legacies of everyday donors
Published: 16-12-2021 | 12:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Philanthropi, the company revolutionizing charitable giving by democratizing philanthropy through its "giving-as-a-service" platform, announced it raised $4 million in funding from lead investor Amex Ventures.


WNS launches a suite of banking solutions to drive scalable operations for fintechs
Published: 03-12-2021 | 15:50:12 | By: Bob Koigi
WNS, a provider of global Business Process Management (BPM) solutions, has announced the launch of WNS FINSIBLE, a suite of banking solutions enabling FinTechs to efficiently streamline, manage and scale operations.


Dutch development bank FMO partners with VC4A to launch a Ventures Lifecycle Support project across Africa
Published: 26-11-2021 | 14:04:36 | By: Bob Koigi
FMO has partnered with VC4A to work with local partners across Africa to create a more efficient network of support for early-stage ventures.


Israeli startup EasySend raises $55.5m to help enterprises build, maintain digital customer journeys with its no-code platform
Published: 17-11-2021 | 11:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
EasySend, a no-code digital customer journey platform announced a $50.5 million Series B funding round led by Oak HC/FT. Existing investors Vertex IL, Intel Capital, and Hanaco Venture also participated in the round.


Nigerian fintech startup Brass secures $1.7m financing round
Published: 22-10-2021 | 12:57:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Brass, a Nigerian digital bank delivering easy access to affordable premium banking services for SMEs, secured $1.7 million in funding to address the heavily underserved banking needs of local entrepreneurs, traders, and fast-growing businesses.


Texas-based fintech startup CollateralEdge emerges from stealth with an oversubscribed $3.5m seed round
Published: 21-10-2021 | 13:24:00 | By: Pie Kamau
CollateralEdge, a Texas-based fintech company providing banks with a risk-mitigation tool to efficiently increase lending capacity without compromising credit quality, emerges from stealth mode with an oversubscribed $3.5 million seed round.


Absa partners with Melanin Kapital to launch unsecured lending for startups in Kenya
Published: 23-09-2021 | 15:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Absa Bank Kenya has partnered with Pan African impact investment platform Melanin Kapital, to launch an investor readiness program that places startups driving social impact on the path to accessing up to KES3 million in unsecured lending.


Silicon Valley Bank establishes physical presence in Miami
Published: 14-09-2021 | 15:38:32 | By: Pie Kamau
Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), the bank of the world's innovative companies and their investors, announced a team of commercial bankers have landed permanently in Miami to focus on Florida's dynamic innovation sector.


Arab Bank launches its fintech accelerator program for startups in Egypt
Published: 24-08-2021 | 14:42:27 | By: Pie Kamau
Arab Bank launched its fintech-focused corporate accelerator program “AB Accelerator” in Egypt, following its successful launch in Jordan back in 2018.


Latin American startup Wonder Brands closes $20m seed round for expansion
Published: 13-08-2021 | 14:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Wonder Brands, the company building Latin America's best portfolio of digital brands, closed $20 million in seed financing, led by ALLVP and Mountain Nazca with CoVenture and Victory Park Capital joining to close the round.


Ecobank launches 2021 edition of its fintech challenge for African startups
Published: 11-08-2021 | 12:59:14 | By: Pie Kamau
The pan-African banking group, Ecobank group, is inviting African fintech entrepreneurs to join the 4th edition of the Ecobank Fintech Challenge.


Paxos adds Bank of America, Coinbase Ventures, Founders Fund & FTX to Series D funding round
Published: 29-07-2021 | 14:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Paxos, the first regulated blockchain infrastructure platform, announced it has added strategic investors including Bank of America, Coinbase Ventures, Founders Fund and FTX to its Series D round of funding.


Banque Misr partners with Microsoft to support fintech startups in Egypt
Published: 14-07-2021 | 12:11:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Banque Misr signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with Microsoft Egypt to launch the first open innovation program in the Egyptian market, enabling a spurt in fintech startup growth.


Catalyst Fund announces Circle of Corporate Innovators to accelerate startup-corporate partnerships
Published: 29-06-2021 | 13:23:16 | By: Pie Kamau
Global inclusive tech accelerator Catalyst Fund, managed by BFA Global, today formally announced its Circle of Corporate Innovators, with its first members, Fidelity Bank, Ecobank, Sterling Bank, Access Bank and the VFD Group.


Banking as a service startup Unit raises $51m Series B funding to expand the team, accelerate growth
Published: 18-06-2021 | 12:19:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Unit, the banking-as-a-service startup that empowers companies to embed financial services into their products, announced it has raised a $51 million Series B led by Accel.


B9 raises $1.7m in pre-seed round to launch fintech platform to deliver full suite of personal financial services
Published: 17-06-2021 | 14:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Fintech startup B9 Inc., announced it is launching a full suite of app-based financial services. The company raised $1.7 million in an ongoing pre-seed funding round and is building out a platform to address the needs of a huge market of potential customers.


Conquer Accelerator selects six startups for 2021 cohort
Published: 03-06-2021 | 13:10:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Conquer Accelerator announced its sixth season and summer 2021 cohort. The 10-week accelerator welcomes six selected teams to its East Lansing program: CrossBraining, Frizzmo, Nickels, Rebound AI, SafetySit, and Tandem.


South Korean AI startup Riiid raises $175m from SoftBank Vision Fund 2 to accelerate growth
Published: 25-05-2021 | 14:10:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Riiid Inc (Riiid), an AI education company and a member of Born2Global Centre, has raised $175 million investment from SoftBank Vision Fund 2.


Railsbank partners with UK fintech startup Finadvant to offer digital banking to SMEs
Published: 19-05-2021 | 10:54:43 | By: Bob Koigi
Finadvant takes advantage of Railsbank's innovative BaaS platform to secure GBP and EUR ledger technology, offering the ability for their customers to receive, send and convert payments via SWIFT and UKFP.


Treasury Prime raises $20m in insider round
Published: 13-05-2021 | 11:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Treasury Prime, the Banking as a Service (BaaS) company, announced it has completed a $20 million Series B insider round co-led by Deciens Capital and QED Investors and with participation from SaaStr Fund, and Susa Ventures.


AI-powered fintech startup Expend announces impressive start to crowdfunding campaign
Published: 11-05-2021 | 11:25:36 | By: Pie Kamau
Expend, the AI-powered fintech startup changing the way businesses manage expenses and spending, announced a great start to its crowdfunding campaign on Seedrs.


Kenyan fintech startup Kwara selected for Japan-led Ninja Accelerator programme
Published: 06-05-2021 | 10:56:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Digital banking platform and fintech company Kwara has been selected for the first cohort of the Ninja Accelerator programme in Kenya.


DBSA launches second edition of the Youth Challenge in South Africa
Published: 05-05-2021 | 16:02:56 | By: Pie Kamau
The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), launched the second edition of the DBSA Youth Challenge, a competition aimed at harnessing innovative solutions from young people in South Africa to help address infrastructure challenges.


Fortú launches Latino digital bank, raises $5m led by Valar Ventures
Published: 04-05-2021 | 12:05:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Fortú announced the launch of its digital bank account focused on Latino and Hispanic U.S. residents who remain underserved by the "one size fits all" approach of traditional financial institutions.


CVS Health launches $100m venture fund
Published: 30-04-2021 | 13:24:00 | By: Pie Kamau
CVS Health announced the launch of CVS Health Ventures, a dedicated corporate venture capital fund that will invest in and partner with high-potential, early-stage companies focused on making health care more accessible, affordable, and simpler.


Fintech startup Trust Payment expands into Ireland
Published: 30-04-2021 | 13:12:41 | By: Pie Kamau
Trust Payment has expanded into Ireland. The payments technology group will open an office in Dublin city centre as it seeks to benefit from local talent and rapid growth in the country's Fintech sector.


i2020 Accelerator announces new investments in cancer, inflammation and neurology-focused therapeutics
Published: 30-04-2021 | 13:00:00 | By: Pie Kamau
i2020, an accelerator program backed by the San Diego-based venture company Torrey Pines Investment, announced multiple startup and follow-on investment rounds together with OrbiMed.


Biotech startup ResBiotic raises $3m seed round, announces leadership team
Published: 30-04-2021 | 12:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
University of Alabama at Birmingham's biotech startup ResBiotic, announced a $3 million seed round to support the development and commercialization of groundbreaking probiotic formulations for lung health.


South Korean Government attracts global startups with its acceleration program K-Startup Grand Challenge 2021
Published: 30-04-2021 | 12:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Startups from around the world are now able to apply to K-Startup Grand Challenge 2021, South Korea's government-backed global acceleration program.


UN targets startups transforming food systems in new competition
Published: 30-04-2021 | 10:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The UN Food Systems Summit has announced a competition to identify the best small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from across the world who are transforming food systems for a better tomorrow.


[Startup Interview] Paul Foley, CEO, CTEX Markets, UK
Published: 30-04-2021 | 08:17:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Some of the services it offers include trade routing, price aggregation, AI based market analysis and reporting solutions.


Lacuna Fund announces second round of funding to projects supporting Natural Language Processing technologies Across Africa
Published: 29-04-2021 | 16:13:59 | By: Pie Kamau
The partner organisations behind Lacuna Fund implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, announced the second cohort of supported projects.


Fintech startup Splitwise raises $20m Series A funding to accelerate global customer growth
Published: 29-04-2021 | 10:48:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Splitwise Inc, an interpersonal finance app for sharing expenses with friends and family, announced the raise of $20 million in Series A funding led by global venture capital and private equity firm, Insight Partners.


Logistics startup Logixboard raises $13m Series A funding to power the future of modern freight forwarding
Published: 29-04-2021 | 10:31:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Logixboard, the modern customer experience platform for freight forwarders, closed a $13 million investment led by Redpoint Ventures, with continued participation from Social Leverage, F-Prime Capital, Founders Co-op, Techstars Ventures, and others.


Insurtech startup Branch Insurance expands home and auto coverage to Colorado and Oklahoma States
Published: 29-04-2021 | 10:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Branch Insurance, the startup that pioneered bundling home and auto insurance online, announced its expansion to Colorado and Oklahoma States.


Israeli customer intelligence startup Affogata raises $5.5m seed funding to bring consumer's voice to customer-obsessed brands
Published: 29-04-2021 | 09:57:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Affogata, the customer intelligence platform enabling brands to harness data to guarantee their consumers a perfect experience, announced a $5.5 million financing round of seed funding co-led by Mangrove Capital Partners.


Danish biotech startup Adcendo raises €51m to advance novel antibody-drug conjugates for cancers treatment
Published: 29-04-2021 | 09:37:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Adcendo, a biotech company developing antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for the treatment of cancers, announced the successful closing of €51 million Series A financing to advance novel antibody-drug conjugates for treatment of cancers.


Israeli enterprise AI startup BeyondMinds joins NVIDIA Inception
Published: 28-04-2021 | 17:00:12 | By: Pie Kamau
BeyondMinds, the enterprise AI startup that has built the first universally applicable and easily adaptable AI platform providing production-grade AI solutions at rapid speed, announced it has joined NVIDIA Inception.


Suntory America, Runway partner to scout, engage and invest in startups
Published: 28-04-2021 | 16:47:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Runway Innovation Hub, a Silicon Valley innovation consulting company, announced its partnership with Suntory America, one of the world's consumer products companies.


IoT startup Hologram hires Mike Georgoff as Chief Product Officer
Published: 28-04-2021 | 16:39:27 | By: Pie Kamau
Hologram, a global cellular platform for IoT, announced it hired Mike Georgoff this month as its first Chief Product Officer as the organization continues its growth.


UCM Digital Health startup raises $5.5m Series A funding
Published: 28-04-2021 | 16:19:00 | By: Pie Kamau
UCM Digital Health, a provider of emergency telemedicine and virtual care solutions, announced it has completed a $5.5 million series A funding round led by Armory Square Ventures (ASV).


Digital fertility startup Legacy partners with Carrot Fertility to expand access to male fertility care
Published: 28-04-2021 | 16:04:23 | By: Pie Kamau
Legacy, the premier digital fertility clinic for men, announced a new partnership with the global fertility benefits provider for employers, Carrot Fertility.


Accenture invests in Nigerian fintech startup Okra
Published: 27-04-2021 | 15:47:20 | By: Pie Kamau
Accenture announced an investment, through Accenture Ventures, in Nigeria-based fintech company Okra, an open finance data infrastructure startup serving the rapidly expanding African financial services market.


Dating app startup So Syncd raises $1m seed round to grow its user base in the US
Published: 27-04-2021 | 12:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
So Syncd, the dating app that matches compatible personality types, raised a seed round of $1 million to grow its user base in the US.


EventHub startup closes pre-seed round to revolutionize event sponsorship
Published: 27-04-2021 | 11:45:28 | By: Pie Kamau
EventHub officially closed its pre-seed round as the company prepares to scale up customer adoption of its sponsorship platform. The round was led by Pasadena Angels and Emerging Ventures from the LA area as well as Seattle-based Accellius Capital.


Detroit-based fintech startup Signal Advisors raises $16m to build end-to-end platform for independent financial advisors
Published: 27-04-2021 | 11:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Signal Advisors, a tech-enabled distributor of annuities and life insurance, announced a $10 million Series A led by General Catalyst, which closed in December 2020.


Data transformation startup Veryfi raises Series A to unlock unstructured data power
Published: 27-04-2021 | 10:38:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Veryfi, an AI-based data transformation platform for enterprise and technology corporations, announced a $12 million Series A financing round led by NewView Capital.


Plug and Play Korea launches in Seoul
Published: 27-04-2021 | 10:20:47 | By: Pie Kamau
Global innovation platform, Plug and Play, announced the launch of its new office in Seoul, Korea, to primarily focus on corporate innovation in the areas of Financial Services and Smart Cities and expects to expand to other industries in the future.


CBK partners with E4Impact Foundation to support Kenyan fintech startups
Published: 27-04-2021 | 09:29:11 | By: Bob Koigi
The MoU will leverage on programs run by the two organizations. These include the E4Impact Accelerator Program, the Afro-Asia Fintech Festival and the Annual Hackathon hosted by CBK and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).


Insurtech startup Brella raises $15m Series A for national expansion of supplemental health insurance solution
Published: 26-04-2021 | 14:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Brella Insurance announced it has raised a $15 million Series A funding round led by Brewer Lane Ventures to bring Brella's modern supplemental health solution to employers nationwide.


Homebuilding startup Higharc raises $21m Series A to aid in recruiting, building out engineering functions
Published: 26-04-2021 | 14:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Higharc, the all-in-one homebuilding platform for design, sales, and construction, announced it raised $21 million in Series A funding, led by Spark Capital.


Telehealth startup PursueCare raises over $11m in Series A1, A2 financing
Published: 26-04-2021 | 13:40:00 | By: Pie Kamau
PursueCare, a telehealth addiction treatment startup, announced an oversubscribed $7 million Series A2 capital raise, bringing its total Series A round to north of $11 million.


Bechtel partners with climatetech startup incubator Greentown Labs to drive energy transition in Houston
Published: 26-04-2021 | 13:30:43 | By: Pie Kamau
Bechtel announced partnership with Greentown Labs in Houston, the city's first-ever climatetech startup incubator, to drive energy transition in Houston.


U.S.-based food tech startup Yo-Kai Express expands partnerships with Japan
Published: 26-04-2021 | 13:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
While restaurants and small businesses everywhere have struggled to survive the pandemic, U.S.-based foodtech startup Yo-Kai Express (YKE) has leveraged its technology and ideas to evolve and transform its business models to broader platforms.


Kenyan e-mobility startup Ecobodaa secures funding from Persistent Energy Capital
Published: 23-04-2021 | 09:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Persistent Energy Capital announced a strategic venture building investment and partnership with Ecobodaa, a pioneer e-mobility startup, leading the revolution of the electric motorbike taxi (bodaboda) in Kenya.


Insurtech startup OKO raises $1.2m to bring innovative insurance to smallholder farmers across Africa
Published: 23-04-2021 | 09:21:00 | By: Pie Kamau
OKO, an insurtech startup that provides inclusive agricultural insurance to secure farmers’ income across Africa, closed a seed investment round of $1.2 million, led by Newfund and ResiliAnce.


UK-based startup Cquestr8 raises $300k seed capital to develop safe & permanent carbon sequestration solution
Published: 22-04-2021 | 13:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cquestr8, 2020 winners of the Climate-KIC's ClimateLaunchpad "Next Big Thing" prize, has secured funding to develop their unique carbon sequestration solution, leveraging natural processes to safely lock away CO2 as stable ocean bicarbonate.


Autonomous air cargo startup MightyFly raises $5.1 million seed funding to revolutionize logistics
Published: 22-04-2021 | 13:37:00 | By: Pie Kamau
MightyFly, an autonomous air cargo carrier, announced it has closed $5.1 million in seed funding, including investments from 500 Startups, At One Ventures, Global Founders Capital, Graph Ventures, and Halogen Ventures.


Plug and Play launches maritime innovation platform in Antwerp, Belgium
Published: 22-04-2021 | 13:20:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Global innovation platform, Plug and Play, together with Founding Partners City of Antwerp, CMB, DXC Technology, Euronav, and Port of Antwerp, announced the launch of their first maritime program in Antwerp, Belgium.


Medical device startup Nanodropper completes $1.4m seed funding round
Published: 21-04-2021 | 13:34:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nanodropper, a medical device company offering a first-of-its-kind eyedrop bottle adaptor that reduces eyedrop size, completed a $1.4 million seed round.


Meeting Automation startup Chili Piper gets spicy with $33m from Tiger Global
Published: 21-04-2021 | 13:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Chili Piper, the advanced routing and scheduling solution for revenue teams, announced it has raised a $33 million "Series Spicy" led by Tiger Global with participation from existing investors Base10 Partners and Gradient Ventures.


Fact.MR redefines the way startups access market research
Published: 21-04-2021 | 12:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The number one reason for startup failure isn't lack of funding or stiff competition. The main reason is 'misreading market demand'. Therefore, it becomes important for startups to thoroughly research the market.


Atlanta-based startups GROUNDFLOOR and PadSplit team up to create affordable housing
Published: 21-04-2021 | 12:38:57 | By: Pie Kamau
GROUNDFLOOR, a wealthtech platform that allows everyone to build wealth through real estate, and PadSplit, a mission-driven marketplace that helps solve the affordable housing crisis, are teaming up to create hundreds of new affordable housing units.


Subscription Management startup Chargebee raises $125m Series G funding to accelerate global shift to subscriptions
Published: 21-04-2021 | 12:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Chargebee, the subscription billing and revenue management platform, announced a fresh round of $125 million in series G funding, co-led by new investor Sapphire Ventures and existing investors Tiger Global and Insight Venture Partners.


Nigerian last-mile delivery startup Kwik Delivery releases Prestashop plugin
Published: 20-04-2021 | 10:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
After the release of its plugins for Shopify and Magento, Kwik Delivery has released its plugin for Prestashop.


Twenty-two startups join second cohort of UNICEF StartUp Lab in Ghana
Published: 20-04-2021 | 10:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
UNICEF announced the launch of the 2021 cohort of the UNICEF StartUp Lab, a co-creation space and accelerator, that engages young startups in the development of innovative, open-source, market-driven products and solutions.


New York-based startup Andela announces global engineering talent expansion
Published: 20-04-2021 | 09:53:34 | By: Pie Kamau
New York-based startup Andela, the global talent network that helps companies build remote engineering teams, announced the global expansion of its engineering talent.


Kenyan logistics startup Amitruck and Sky.Garden announce last mile goods pick-up and deliveries partnership
Published: 20-04-2021 | 09:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Logistics platform Amitruck and e-Commerce platform Sky.Garden have partnered to form an end-to-end digital chain for goods pick-up and deliveries to the last mile.


Grindstone accelerator programme opens applications for South African startups
Published: 20-04-2021 | 09:36:42 | By: Pie Kamau
Applications for this year’s Grindstone’s accelerator programme are now open. Grindstone is an equity-free structured entrepreneurship development programme that assists high-growth innovation-driven SMEs in South Africa.


InnovoEdge joins Microsoft for Startups program
Published: 16-04-2021 | 09:43:00 | By: Pie Kamau
InnovoEdge, an AI-powered multi-cloud and edge application orchestration company, announced it has joined the Microsoft for Startups program, which is designed to help business to business (B2B) startups scale with access to technology.


Climatetech startup Persefoni raises $9.7m in Series A funding round
Published: 16-04-2021 | 09:35:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Persefoni, an intelligent carbon accounting and management platform for enterprises and investors, announced it has raised $9.7 million in its Series A financing round. Rice Investment Group led the round, with participation from NGP ETP and Sallyport Investments.


Ideal Semiconductor startup announces investment from Applied Ventures
Published: 16-04-2021 | 09:23:09 | By: Pie Kamau
Ideal Semiconductor, a startup company that has successfully demonstrated a fundamentally new technology for energy conversion in electronic systems, announced it has received funding from Applied Ventures, LLC, the venture capital arm of Applied Materials.


Chicago-based medtech startup Neopenda announces new round of convertible note financing
Published: 16-04-2021 | 09:12:55 | By: Pie Kamau
Neopenda, a Chicago-based public benefit corporation, announced a new round of funding supported by Assiduity Capital and Sorenson Impact Foundation, and the CE Mark approval of its neoGuard device.


Wynden Stark acquires NYC venture-backed tech startup untapt
Published: 16-04-2021 | 09:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Wynden Stark has acquired NYC venture-backed tech startup untapt, bringing in-house a world-class team of Data Scientists and Software Engineers.


SWARM Engineering startup raises $2.7m in seed funding led by S2G Ventures and Serra Ventures
Published: 16-04-2021 | 08:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
SWARM Engineering, the next generation of cognitive software for the food supply chain, announced it closed funding for a $2.7 million seed round.


Healthtech startup DignifiHealth raises $7m seed round, scaling it nationally for improved community health outcomes
Published: 16-04-2021 | 08:34:00 | By: Pie Kamau
DignifiHealth, a company that has integrated leading digital health technologies with its proprietary big-data intelligence platform, raised $7 million in seed funding to scale delivery of its revolutionary suite of healthcare products on a national scale.


South African digital health startup Quro Medical secures $1.1m seed funding to accelerate growth
Published: 15-04-2021 | 15:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Quro Medical, a South African digital health startup, emerged from stealth mode to announce the closure of its seed funding round to accelerate growth for Africa’s first technology-driven Hospital at Home offering.


Virtual health startup OpenLoop closes oversubscribed $3m seed round
Published: 15-04-2021 | 10:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
OpenLoop, a virtual health company based in Des Moines, Iowa, announced its oversubscribed seed round financing of $3 million.


Phantom Space Corporation startup raises $5m seed funding to revolutionize space transportation
Published: 15-04-2021 | 10:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Phantom Space Corporation, a space transportation technology development and manufacturing company, announced the raise of $5 million in seed investment funding to make space commerce commonplace and to lower the barriers to space access.


Legacy startup raises $10m Series A to make male fertility services accessible to all
Published: 15-04-2021 | 09:53:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Legacy, the premier digital fertility clinic for men, announced $10 million in Series A fundraising led by FirstMark Capital.


Silicon Valley startup Chef Avenue crosses 1000% of its funding goal in 8 days
Published: 15-04-2021 | 09:21:18 | By: Pie Kamau
Chef Avenue, an inspiring startup at the forefront of the design of modernized, high-performance cookware, is currently riding the wave of a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign for its first product, Omnipan.


Finnish biotech startup Carbo Culture sets to remove 1billion tons of carbon from atmosphere by 2030
Published: 15-04-2021 | 09:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Carbo Culture, a biotech startup commercialising large-scale carbon removal, has a north star vision to remove 1 billion tons (1Gt) of carbon from the atmosphere by 2030.


Colorado-based startup Trūman Rx launches to expand access to testosterone therapy
Published: 14-04-2021 | 11:03:53 | By: Pie Kamau
In an effort to increase access to testosterone replacement therapy for men, Colorado-based startup Trūman Rx (Trūman) is launching an online, innovative telehealth service for testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).


EdCraft startup raises $1m pre-seed round to expand its edtech platform in the U.S.
Published: 14-04-2021 | 10:52:00 | By: Pie Kamau
EdCraft, an early education platform launched by former McKinsey executives, raised $1 million from a group of Silicon Valley based angels. The startup aims to equip its students, aged 6-13, with essential 21st-century skills.


Fintech startup Wage secures $5m to scale credential-less payroll data API
Published: 14-04-2021 | 10:37:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Wage, an infrastructure software solution that lets people seamlessly and securely share their payroll data with third parties, announced the close of $5 million in funding to scale customer acquisition and support additional payroll data partnerships.


Grow-NY startup business competition kicks off year 3
Published: 14-04-2021 | 10:20:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The application window for the 2021 Grow-NY million-dollar top prize business competition is now open for submissions. Grow-NY, a unique initiative which connects innovators and investors in the food, beverage and agriculture.


Plug and Play Cleveland selects six startups into the Spring 2021 Health Program
Published: 14-04-2021 | 10:03:35 | By: Pie Kamau
Plug and Play Cleveland has announced the selection of 6 new startups into the Spring 2021 Health Program. These startups were selected with input from Plug and Play's corporate partners.


Cincinnati startups Abre and Pay Theory partner to transform education
Published: 13-04-2021 | 15:25:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Abre.io (Abre), and Pay Theory announced their partnership to help them better achieve their shared mission of breaking down socioeconomic and technical barriers to education.


Chicago-based venture capital firm Starting Line closes $30m second fund to continue funding consumer startups
Published: 13-04-2021 | 15:10:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Starting Line, the Chicago-based venture capital firm, announced that it has closed $30 million for its second fund, dedicated to expanding access to technologies, products, and experiences for the 99 percent of Americans.


HawkEye 360 secures $55m Series C funding round to support expansion of satellite startup's infrastructure
Published: 13-04-2021 | 14:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
HawkEye 360, the global commercial provider of space-based radio frequency (RF) data and analytics, announced it has secured $55 million in additional funding, bringing its total raised to over $155 million.


Energy Transition Ventures launches first venture capital fund in Texas dedicated to energy transition
Published: 13-04-2021 | 14:21:14 | By: Pie Kamau
Energy Transition Ventures (ETV) has launched as the first venture fund in Texas exclusively dedicated to investing in energy transition technologies.


Indian fintech startup Avanti raises $26m in Series A funding round to further invest in its digital tech platform
Published: 13-04-2021 | 11:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Indian fintech company Avanti Finance (Avanti) secured $26 million in debt and equity from Oikocredit, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Nomura and the family office of Pratul Shroff.


Berkeley-based incubator Batchery announces new cohort of startups, "Batch 12"
Published: 12-04-2021 | 14:07:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Eleven early-stage startups have joined the Batchery's three-month Deep Dive program for entrepreneurs. The program focuses on helping startups get over their first set of growth hurdles.


Lithium-ion battery recycling and manufacturing startup Battery Resourcers raises $20m Series B funding
Published: 12-04-2021 | 13:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Battery Resourcers, a vertically integrated lithium-ion battery recycling and manufacturing company, completed a $20 million Series B equity round.


Pan-African fintech platform Appzone secures $10m Series A funding
Published: 12-04-2021 | 13:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Appzone, the Pan-African fintech software provider building proprietary solutions for the continent’s banking and payments industries, announced the close of its $10 million Series A round.


Kigali-based electric mobility startup Ampersand raises $3.5m from EIF
Published: 12-04-2021 | 12:36:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kigali based electric motorcycle startup Ampersand has raised $3.5 million in funding from the Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF) to rapidly scale its electric motorcycle and swap station network in Rwanda.


Solar home systems startup Baobab+ raises €4m to expand in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal
Published: 12-04-2021 | 12:21:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Solar home systems social enterprise startup Baobab+ has raised €4 million in financing for the expansion of its activities in Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal.


[Startup Interview] PJF Schmidt, Lucas Brosi, Marcus Luer, Urs Meier, Founders, Heroes AG, Switzerland
Published: 09-04-2021 | 17:31:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Heroes AG is a Swiss startup that has tapped into the underdeveloped fan merchandising sector through distribution of modern and trendy lifestyle products.


Virtual hospitality startup Vin Social announces launch of equity crowdfunding campaign
Published: 09-04-2021 | 11:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Virtual hospitality startup Vin Social announced its first-ever equity crowdfunding campaign in partnership with Wefunder and the Arora Project.


LineVision startup secures $12.5m in Series B financing to scale grid enhancing technology
Published: 09-04-2021 | 11:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
LineVision, the provider of non-contact overhead power line sensor solutions to monitor, optimize, and protect critical energy delivery infrastructure, announced the closing of its Series B financing round, raising $12.5 million to accelerate growth.


Empathy startup raises $13m seed round to help minimize burdens after losing a loved one
Published: 09-04-2021 | 10:36:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Empathy, a platform helping families navigate the journey they face after losing a loved one, announced the launch of its application on iOS and Android for users across the United States.


Cyber security startup Calamu raises $2.4m seed to pioneer auto-healing data protection
Published: 09-04-2021 | 09:48:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Calamu, a data protection and resiliency trailblazer, announced it has emerged from stealth after closing $2.4 million in an oversubscribed seed round.


dClimate raises $3.5m seed round to create first decentralized network for climate data
Published: 09-04-2021 | 09:24:00 | By: Pie Kamau
dClimate, the first decentralized network for climate data, announced the closing of an oversubscribed $3.5 Million seed financing round led by CoinFund, with participation from Multicoin Capital and Republic Labs.


Fintech startup Marquee Equity helps Qolo.io close its seed round
Published: 08-04-2021 | 17:56:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Marquee Equity, a fintech platform, has helped a Florida-based B2B Payments company, Qolo.io, close its seed round.


MicroAcquire's acquisition of Exitround sets new founder-friendly model for getting acquired
Published: 08-04-2021 | 17:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Entrepreneurs face thousands of obstacles in their careers. Seed money, growth, staffing - the list is endless. Some prioritize funding, leaving them bound to venture capitalists whose goals clash with theirs.


Martech startup Ziflow raises $6m in expansion funding to meet growing demand for creative collaboration
Published: 08-04-2021 | 17:05:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Ziflow, industry's player in creative review and approval solution for agencies and brands, announced the raise of $6 million expansion round, led by Companyon Ventures.


AI startup Oxia Palus enables first hidden masterpiece on canvas, long lost behind a Pablo Picasso
Published: 08-04-2021 | 16:23:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Oxia Palus, a new-age company dedicated to using artificial intelligence to resurrect the world's most important lost artwork, announced it has recreated on canvas, the first masterpiece of another era, one lost for nearly 120 years.


Omaha-based startup Workshop raises $3.5m to simplify employee communications
Published: 07-04-2021 | 17:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Workshop, a delightful platform for sharing and finding important internal information, has raised a $3.5 million seed round.


AI video game wagering startup PLLAY secures additional $1m in funding
Published: 07-04-2021 | 16:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
PLLAY, a skill-based video game wagering platform, has raised an additional $1 million in funding, bringing its total to $4 million in an oversubscribed seed round.


Fintech startup ROSHI to disrupt billion dollar home loan industry in Singapore
Published: 07-04-2021 | 16:40:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Touted as a disrupter in financial comparison, ROSHI plans to provide Singapore with a first to market home loan marketplace, which connects customers.


Scottish hospitality software startup Stampede launches Prep Starts Now campaign to reopen, digitise and grow hospitality businesses
Published: 07-04-2021 | 16:14:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Stampede, the Scottish hospitality software startup announced the launch of its Prep Starts Now campaign, with support from Visit Scotland and more than ten hospitality / tech organisations.


Cannabis ERP technology platform BLAZE raises $8m in Series A funding for market expansion
Published: 06-04-2021 | 16:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
BLAZE, the industry player enterprise resource planning and point of sale platform for legal cannabis, recently closed its Series A funding round at $8 million.


Grata expands seed funding round to $9.5m to accelerate growth of SMB search engine
Published: 06-04-2021 | 15:47:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Grata, the search engine for discovering small to middle market private companies, announced it expanded its seed round to $9.5 million.


Japanese startup Paidy raises $120m in Series D round
Published: 06-04-2021 | 15:36:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Paidy Inc., Japan's "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) service provider, announced it completed the Series D round of funding, raising a total of $120 million.


Innovative startup Glo brightens product line with Sesame Street characters
Published: 06-04-2021 | 15:23:00 | By: Pie Kamau
What began as a college senior project has led to an innovative startup company working with Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street, to light up lives through creativity and technology.


Spirits and technology startup Endless West secures $21m in Series B funding
Published: 06-04-2021 | 15:07:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Spirits and technology startup Endless West, announced it has raised $21 million in Series B funding, for a total of $33.7 million in investments to-date.


EBRD invests in Turkish fintech startup DgPays
Published: 31-03-2021 | 12:52:17 | By: Pie Kamau
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is providing a fresh boost to Turkey's technology sector by investing in DgPays, a digital payment system provider, alongside Goldman Sachs.


Kenyan agency banking startup Tanda secures funding for regional expansion
Published: 30-03-2021 | 11:00:16 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan agency banking startup Tanda announced its expanding its regional operations after closing a funding round from HAVAÍC, Zedcrest Capital, DFS Lab, Victor Asemota and 3 more investors.


Fintech startup Greenwood raises $40m in funding to provide Black and Latino banking services
Published: 26-03-2021 | 10:31:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Greenwood, the digital banking platform for Black and Latino individuals and business owners, announced it has closed $40 million of Series A funding from six of the seven largest U.S. banks and the top two payment technology companies.


Plug and Play, Finastra partner to expand FusionFabric.cloud platform for open innovation
Published: 22-03-2021 | 15:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Plug and Play announced a collaboration with Finastra, global financial technology provider, to help expand its FusionFabric.cloud platform for open innovation.


Fintech startup Cube raises $10m Series A to expand next-geneneration CFO intelligence platform
Published: 10-03-2021 | 16:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cube, the next-generation Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) platform for modern Finance teams, announced a Series A round of funding led by Mayfield, with participation from Bonfire Ventures and Operator Collective.


Digital payments startup AeroPay raises over $5 m venture round
Published: 08-03-2021 | 15:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
AeroPay, a Chicago-based digital payments platform powering bank transfer payments for businesses, announced the closing of a $5+ million Venture Round led by Chicago Ventures, a firm that leads investments in early-stage startups.


Union Bank of Nigeria to support startups through UnionX Innovation Challenge
Published: 26-02-2021 | 15:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Union Bank, one of Nigeria’s foremost financial institutions, has unveiled the 2021 UnionX Innovation Challenge, as part of efforts to support young startups and boost innovation in the startup ecosystem.


Early-stage investor DFS Lab announces fintech and digital economy design sprint for startups in Egypt
Published: 25-02-2021 | 09:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Early-stage investor DFS Lab announced it will facilitate a virtual design sprint in March 2021 for fintech startups in Egypt. The sprint is hosted by the Central Bank of Egypt, in collaboration with the Financial Regulatory Authority.


Kids and family finance startup Goalsetter raises $3.9m seed round to accelerate subscriber growth
Published: 26-01-2021 | 10:27:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Goalsetter, a Black-owned kids and family finance app that provides a next-generation, education-first banking experience for U.S. kids and teens, announced its seed capital raise of $3.9 million.


TransUnion partners with South Africa's fintech startup Fincheck to improve access to finance for consumers
Published: 20-01-2021 | 08:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Global information and insights company, TransUnion, has partnered with South Africa’s financial marketplace, Fincheck, to make credit application process easier and less frustrating for consumers.


[Column] Patrick Ndegwa: Celebrating startups and digital businesses that are uplifting African communities
Published: 30-11-2020 | 15:39:17 | By: Pie Kamau
The digital economy has opened up many opportunities for global businesses. Large enterprises and small businesses have seen increased profits and enhanced productivity due to digital innovation.


Bamboo Capital, Government of Madagascar, World Bank launch $40m energy access fund for Madagascar
Published: 20-11-2020 | 12:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Bamboo Capital Partners has been appointed by the Government of Madagascar and the World Bank as the international fund manager for the Off-Grid Market Development Fund, a $40 million renewable energy access fund.


UAE fintech startup Sarwa unveils next gen Sarwa X, announces partnership with Saxo Bank
Published: 17-11-2020 | 13:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Sarwa, online investment advisory platform for young professionals has unveiled its next-generation Sarwa X, a new product powered by a strategic partnership with Saxo Bank, a Fintech and Regtech specialist focused on multi-asset trading and investment.


British fintech startup ilumoni raises $450,000 to transform borrowing behaviours, help people repay debt
Published: 12-11-2020 | 13:34:00 | By: Pie Kamau
ilumoni, the fintech startup helping people to borrow better, save on unnecessary interest and time in paying off debts has raised $450,000 pre-seed investment backed by Move Ventures.


Mastercard co-innovates with 10 new fintechs to reshape the future of commerce
Published: 10-11-2020 | 07:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Mastercard has welcomed 10 fintechs from around the world to participate in its startup engagement program, Start Path, to scale the future of commerce.


[Startup Interview] Jeremy Mah, CEO, NeuXP, Malaysia
Published: 22-10-2020 | 07:36:00 | By: Bob Koigi
NeuXP is an integrated digital banking startup based in Malaysia that is positioning itself as the amazon of banking by providing a complete ecosystem with innovative services and leading-edge financial management tools.


Greenwood closes $3m seed round to build online banking solution for Blacks and Latinx
Published: 09-10-2020 | 17:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Greenwood has secured $3 million in seed funding from private investors as the first digital banking platform for Black and Latinx people and business owners.


Texas-based startup Viva First launching new mobile bank for Latinos in the U.S.
Published: 08-10-2020 | 15:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Texas-based startup, Viva First, is launching a new mobile bank with the Latino community in mind, all 52 million in the United States.


U.S. fintech startup DoubleChec appoints Bill Amelio as Co-CEO and Executive Chairman
Published: 07-10-2020 | 13:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau
DoubleCheck, financial technology startup, announced the appointment of Bill Amelio as Co-Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman.


Alfa Bank, Plug and Play collaborate on innovation in Fintech
Published: 30-09-2020 | 14:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Along with 80 other financial institutions across the United States, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Milan, Paris, Abu Dhabi, Shanghai, Singapore, and Tokyo, Alfa Bank will join Plug and Play's global ecosystem.


Fintech startup KodyPay raises £1.8m to transform payments industry
Published: 17-09-2020 | 12:35:00 | By: Pie Kamau
London based fintech startup KodyPay, raised £1.8 million to transform the payments industry, allowing users to pay for goods in-store without queueing thereby making shopping a prompt and effortless process.


Flagstar Bank now accepting applications for MortgageTech Accelerator Program
Published: 16-09-2020 | 14:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Flagstar Bank and the Fintech Consortium are accepting applications for the Flagstar MortgageTech Accelerator Program now through Sept. 30.


Spain's Banco Santander spins out fintech venture capital arm, doubles allocated funds to $400m
Published: 11-09-2020 | 13:07:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Banco Santander announced the launch of Mouro Capital, a new, autonomously managed venture capital fund focused on fintechs and adjacent businesses linked with the financial services industry.


CaixaBank launches open innovation program to support startups in Spain and Portugal
Published: 18-08-2020 | 12:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
CaixaBank has launched a new open innovation program to support startups in Spain and Portugal called the DayOne Open Innovation Program.


IFC helps boost clean tech startups in Egypt, enables farmers switch to solar
Published: 15-07-2020 | 12:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
IFC is joining forces with the National Bank of Egypt and MSMEDA to strengthen the clean technology entrepreneurship sector and boost Egyptian farmers’ access to finance for solar irrigation.


Nigeria's FCMB, Passion Incubator partner to launch FCMB Agritech Epic Pitch 2020
Published: 07-07-2020 | 16:27:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nigeria's First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has partnered with Passion Incubator, a Lagos-based early-stage incubator and accelerator that has invested in some Agritech startups, to launch the virtual edition of the FCMB Agritech Epic Pitch 2020.


New York fintech startup CMG raises $25m to digitally connect equity capital markets participants
Published: 04-07-2020 | 13:27:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Capital Markets Gateway (CMG), a New York based financial technology firm modernizing the equity capital markets (ECM) announced it received a strategic investment of $25 million from several financial firms.


Nigerian fintech startup Wallets Africa raises undisclosed amount for African expansion
Published: 01-07-2020 | 15:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nigerian fintech startup Wallets Africa has raised an undisclosed amount of funding to expand its operations and continue its quest to become Africa’s foremost borderless digital payments platform.


Egypt fintech startup MoneyFellows nabs $4 million to drive financial inclusion
Published: 26-06-2020 | 13:18:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Egyptian fintech startup MoneyFellows has secured $4 million in Series A investment from venture capital firms Partech and Sawari Ventures.


French based startup ubble raises €10 million, partners with Bpifrance
Published: 25-06-2020 | 16:11:00 | By: Pie Kamau
ID verification startup ubble successfully raised funds from Partech and Breega to complete its seed round, bringing its total financing to more than €10 million.


Memo Bank becomes first independent bank launched in France, closes $23 million funding round
Published: 24-06-2020 | 14:07:00 | By: Pie Kamau
French startup Memo Bank has become the first independent bank to emerge in France in half a century and it aims to support the growth and digital transformation of French and European small and medium-sized enterprises.


Paypal invests in Sweden fintech startup Tink to grow European footprint
Published: 05-06-2020 | 16:13:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Paypal has invested €90 million in Stockholm-based fintech Tink and entered into a strategic agreement with the startup.


EBRD, Wise Guys startup enter Fintech accelerator partnership
Published: 04-06-2020 | 08:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Start-ups across the regions where the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) invests will benefit from a new partnership between the Bank and Startup Wise Guys, a leading start-up accelerator with a presence across the Baltic states.


Iceland startup Meninga raises €8.5 million to grow digital banking offering
Published: 28-05-2020 | 14:38:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Iceland-based Meniga has closed a €8.5 million strategic investment that will be used for continued investment in its research and development activities.


Nigeria fintech startup Carbon launches new social banking service
Published: 21-05-2020 | 11:04:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Carbon in an effort to improve the experience of its customers, has launched Carbon Express - A keyboard extension that allows customers to access Carbon services from within whatever app they are using.