Tag Resultaten

Published: 06-04-2018 16:44:00 | By: Nico Scherphuis | hits: 3756356 | Tags:

e-Commerce startup Uzum becomes first tech unicorn in Uzbekistan
Published: 28-03-2024 | 12:10:00 | By: Pie Kamau
























BeatMarket platform launches to empower long-term retail investors
Published: 26-10-2023 | 14:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau


Insurtech startup QuoteWell comes out of stealth, raises $15m Series A funding round
Published: 25-10-2023 | 12:00:00 | By: Pie Kamau
QuoteWell has announced the launch of its brokerage operations.


E-commerce tech platform MarketLeap secures €2.6m to expand brands’ global reach and revenue
Published: 10-10-2023 | 12:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
MarketLeap has secured €1.5m funding.


Canadian e-Commerce inventory platform Centro launches with $2m pre-seed funding round
Published: 05-10-2023 | 12:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
e-Commerce inventory platform Centro, announced a $2m in pre-seed funding.


French startup Kamino Retail raises €1.25m pre-seed round to accelerate growth
Published: 29-09-2023 | 12:27:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kamino Retail announced a pre-seed funding of €1.25m from business angels.


Nigerian mobility startup Mecho Autotech raises $2.4m, ventures into wholesale spare parts distribution
Published: 15-09-2023 | 13:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nigerian mobility startup Mecho Autotech, has closed $2.4m pre-Series A investment.


Harmonya raises $20m Series A to transform CPG and retail with AI-powered product data
Published: 05-09-2023 | 15:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Harmonya announced a $20m Series A, bringing total funding to $25 million.


Kids footwear brand jbrds closes $500k seed round, establishes $5m valuation
Published: 04-09-2023 | 14:56:00 | By: Pie Kamau
jbrds has subscribed a modest seed round of $500k, establishing a $5,000,000 valuation.


Swedish fintech Klarna records growth in key European markets
Published: 23-08-2023 | 12:14:49 | By: Pie Kamau
Klarna, the global payments network and shopping assistant, announced strong growth across Europe.


B2B marketplace startup Ghost raises $30m to help brands and retailers move surplus inventory
Published: 22-08-2023 | 13:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
B2B marketplace startup Ghost has raised $30m Series B funding.


Kenyan agritech startup Kyosk acquires KwikBasket, expands into fresh produce market
Published: 10-07-2023 | 11:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan agritech startup Kyosk, is expanding into the African fresh produce market.


Kenyan fashion e-Commerce startup ShopZetu raises pre-seed funding to fuel growth of its marketplace
Published: 29-06-2023 | 14:25:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan fashion e-Commerce startup ShopZetu has raised $1m pre-seed funding.


[Interview] Caroline Mutuku, General Manager, Glovo, Kenya
Published: 09-06-2023 | 12:40:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Caroline Mutuku is Kenya's General Manager of multi-category app Glovo.


How payment technology is changing the rulebook on South African retail
Published: 31-05-2023 | 10:48:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The past few years have seen the proliferation of new methods of transacting.


Dental marketplace Wellplaece launches with $5.5m seed round
Published: 31-05-2023 | 10:05:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Dental marketplace Wellplaece announced the company's Private Beta launch.


Genetica raises $500k seed round to make cannabis shopping smarter with AI
Published: 29-05-2023 | 14:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Genetica, an AI cannabis retail platform, announced the close of its seed round.


Austrian SaaS startup Shopstory scores million-dollar investment to accelerate growth
Published: 25-05-2023 | 14:31:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Austrian SaaS startup Shopstory has scored another million-dollar investment.


Singapore-based tech-enabled coffee chain Flash Coffee extends Series B round to $50m
Published: 17-05-2023 | 13:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Singapore-based tech-enabled coffee chain Flash Coffee has announced the successful completion of its Series B financing round led by White Star Capital, raising a total of $50 million following its latest closing.


Kenya's B2B e-Commerce startup Wasoko expands to Zambia
Published: 11-05-2023 | 14:10:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Wasoko has revealed plans to invest over $1 million in Zambia. The B2B retail and e-Commerce made this announcement while announcing its official entry into the Southern African country. 


Africa’s mezzanine debt fund manager Vantage Capital exits Dynamic Bedding
Published: 03-05-2023 | 09:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Vantage Capital, Africa’s mezzanine debt fund manager, announced it has fully exited its investment in Dynamic Bedding, a South African specialist bed manufacturer and retailer.


GCPL to invest $12m in early-stage Indian consumer startups
Published: 12-04-2023 | 13:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Godrej Consumer Products Limited (GCPL), announced that it will be investing INR 100 Crore ($12 million) in Early Spring, a new INR 300 Crore early-stage consumer fund being set up by Spring Marketing Capital (Spring).


Forces shaping the retail landscape in 2023, ESW
Published: 28-03-2023 | 16:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Brands and merchants are constantly adapting to the ever-changing forces that shape the retail landscape


California furniture startup Woodsy announces pre-seed funding round, launches Kickstarter
Published: 24-03-2023 | 13:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Woodsy, a California furniture startup manufacturing affordable solid wood furniture, announced its first product on Kickstarter, surpassing its funding goal in 6 hours.


3 key trends in retail and brand innovation, Plug and Play
Published: 14-03-2023 | 10:58:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Brands and the retail industry are undergoing a rapid transformation. As technology and customer expectations continue to evolve, businesses must innovate to stay competitive and provide a better consumer and user experience.


Vue.ai announces new AI powered models to generate inclusive ad creatives through Meta's Creative Shop
Published: 01-03-2023 | 16:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Vue.ai, the retail vertical of AI startup Mad Street Den, announced its partnership with Meta to generate automated and inclusive ad creatives using AI-powered models for brands using Meta's creative services.


Indian SaaS startup Mintoak raises $20m Series A funding round to grow its product portfolio
Published: 23-02-2023 | 14:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Mintoak, an India-based software-as-a-service (SaaS) platform focused on merchant services, has raised $20 million in Series A funding round led by PayPal Ventures.


Berlin's EatFirst acquires London-based foodtech startup Feedr to accelerate growth
Published: 13-02-2023 | 10:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Berlin-based corporate food ordering platform EatFirst, has acquired Feedr, a London-based enterprise food technology platform that gives corporate customers software to support healthier daily eating in workplaces.


Bangladeshi B2B commerce platform ShopUp secures $30m debt financing to fuel expansion, strengthen supply chain operations
Published: 03-02-2023 | 11:40:00 | By: Pie Kamau
ShopUp, a full-stack B2B commerce platform in Bangladesh, announced it has secured $30 million in debt financing, to drive expansion efforts and strengthen the company's supply chain operations.


Food Foundry accelerator announces fifth cohort of early-stage foodservice startups
Published: 23-01-2023 | 11:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Food Foundry, an accelerator program built by Relish Works and Gordon Food Service for early-stage startups disrupting the food and foodservice industry, announced the five startups that will join the fifth cohort starting in January 2023.


Boulder-based startup Hickey Hack develops first ever concealer for hickeys
Published: 13-01-2023 | 08:34:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Hickey Hack, a startup based in Boulder, Colorado, has developed a concealer designed to eliminate hickeys. This is the first time a product like this has ever been created and is a major breakthrough in the cosmetic industry.


Nigerian online furniture store Taeillo raises $2.5m for expansion
Published: 16-12-2022 | 13:17:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nigerian online store Taeillo, announced a $2.5 million funding round from Aruwa Capital, a growth equity and early-stage investor.


Senegalese startup Kwely launches made in Africa online store
Published: 16-12-2022 | 12:38:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kwely, a Senegalese-based startup has launched a B2B e-marketplace to provide African producers and manufacturers with a global window to sell their products at scale.


Netail closes $5m seed funding to advance retail-focused AI development
Published: 01-12-2022 | 10:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Netail, a technology that enables retailers to auto-identify competitors across the internet and track their assortments, availability and optimize prices in real time, announced the closing of $5 million in seed funding.


Nigerian foodtech Orda raises $3.4m seed round to digitize African restaurants
Published: 01-12-2022 | 09:48:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nigerian foodtech platform Orda announced has raised a $3.4 million seed round to further digitize food businesses across the continent.


Berlin-based AI-powered startup Faircado raises €500K to transform E-commerce into Re-commerce
Published: 25-11-2022 | 08:23:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Faircado, a Berlin-based startup that provides the first AI-powered second-hand shopping assistance, announced it has raised €500,000 in a pre-seed round led by BackBone Ventures.


Tanzanian CPG startup Ramani raises $32m to digitize supply chains
Published: 24-11-2022 | 09:40:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Ramani, a Tanzanian startup focused on consumer-packaged goods (CPG) supply chains,  has raised $32 million in Series A debt-equity funding to introduce new financial services as it expands its operations.


Beverage startup Hangobi raises capital on StartEngine to accelerate growth
Published: 24-11-2022 | 08:35:23 | By: Pie Kamau
Beverage startup Hangobi announced it is raising capital on SearchEngine to expand its footprint beyond NYC,  bringing its healthy drinks to the masses.


Kenyan supply chain and logistics startup Leta secures $3m pre-seed funding to accelerate growth
Published: 23-11-2022 | 09:21:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Leta, the supply chain and logistics startup driving distribution optimization, announced the close of  $3 million Pre-Seed equity round.


Kenyan agritech startup Stable Foods raises $600k funding to grow its climate smart smallholder platform
Published: 22-11-2022 | 10:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Stable Foods, a Kenyan agritech startup offering a host of solutions to small-scale farmers, has raised $600k funding round, to build out its climate smart smallholder food production platform.


Demand for seamless, convenient way of shopping increase growth of e-Commerce in Africa
Published: 16-11-2022 | 10:14:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The electronic commerce (e-Commerce) transaction of goods and services between business-to-consumer (B2C), business-to-business (B2B), consumer-to-consumer, and consumer-to-business, has become rampant in this digital age.


Ultra-convenient healthy meals startup Proper Good closes seed funding to bring absurdly delicious products
Published: 14-11-2022 | 15:42:27 | By: Pie Kamau
PROPER GOOD, an ultra-convenient home-delivered food service company that offers nutritious prepared meals made with simple and high quality ingredients, announced the closing of $3.5 million in seed funding.


Vue Storefront wins best e-Commerce and retail startup at The Europas Tech Startup Awards 2022
Published: 07-11-2022 | 09:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Vue Storefront, a technology company that develops software for businesses to create fast, modern and high-performing online storefronts, was crowned a winner at The Europas Tech Startup Awards 2022.


New York startup Scent Lab personalizes the fragrance industry with immersive digital experiences and AI-tech
Published: 02-11-2022 | 10:04:16 | By: Pie Kamau
Scent Lab announced the launch of its online platform that’s changing the way consumers shop for fragrance. Scent Lab is the first digital destination that leverages immersive video experiences and AI tech.


London-based Sidekick raises £3.33m pre-seed to build a modern investment manager for today’s changing world
Published: 31-10-2022 | 07:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Sidekick, a digital active investment manager built for today’s rapidly changing world, announced a £3.33 million pre-seed equity round led by Octopus Ventures.


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.


Nigerian social commerce startup Bumpa raises $4m seed funding to build the future of commerce for African sellers
Published: 25-10-2022 | 14:07:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nigerian social commerce startup Bumpa announced it has raised $4 million seed round led by Base10 Partners, the largest black-led fund in the world, with participation from Plug & Play Ventures.


Fintech startup Banyan raises $43m Series A to scale world's largest SKU data network
Published: 24-10-2022 | 14:10:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Banyan, the network for SKU data, announced it has raised $43 million Series A round led by Fin Capital and M13. The investment will accelerate Banyan's technology and infrastructure growth.


Kenyan home furniture startup MoKo raises $6m to accelerate growth
Published: 17-10-2022 | 15:26:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan home furniture startup MoKo announced it raised $6.5 million in a Series B funding round, which is a combination of debt and equity.


Climate infrastructure startup EcoCart raises $14.5m Series A to accelerate sustainable e-Commerce
Published: 11-10-2022 | 14:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
EcoCart, a software company building the infrastructure for e-Commerce companies to operate sustainably at scale, has raised a $14.5 million Series A round.


Kenyan startup Kyosk Digital expands to Uganda
Published: 07-10-2022 | 14:46:27 | By: Bob Koigi
Kyosk Digital Services aims to address some of the challenges that vendors of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) go through in sourcing products and restocking their outlets.


Vendease secures $30m to transform procurement and business operations for restaurants across Africa
Published: 26-09-2022 | 14:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Vendease, a Y Combinator-backed digital platform that allows restaurants in Africa to buy supplies, access financial services and power their business operations, has raised $30 million funding round.


Crypto tax reporting app Binocs nets $4m funding round as it adds institutional investors to retail base
Published: 22-09-2022 | 13:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Crypto tax reporting app Binocs has announced a $4 million fundraise to cater to institutional crypto investors and enter geographies like the US, UK, Australia etc.


Healthtech startup Remedial Health secures $4.4m to provide access to credit for pharmacies in Nigeria
Published: 21-09-2022 | 13:23:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Remedial Health, a healthtech startup that develops solutions to make Africa’s pharmaceutical value chain more efficient, has raised $4.4 million in seed funding to accelerate its expansion across Nigeria.


India's fruits and vegetables platform Sahyadri Farms raises €40m growth capital to support smallholder farmers
Published: 19-09-2022 | 09:19:00 | By: Pie Kamau
India's integrated platform for fruits and vegetables Sahyadri Farms has raised  €40 million growth capital from a group of impact-focused investors; Incofin, Korys, FMO and Proparco.


[Startup Interview] Tesh Mbaabu, CEO, MarketForce, Kenya
Published: 12-09-2022 | 16:47:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Tesh Mbaabu is a serial entrepreneur who lives to blend commerce and technology. He is the Co-founder and CEO of Kenyan-based B2B platform for retail distribution of consumer goods and digital financial services in Africa today, MarketForce.


Austrian SaaS startup Shopstory raises €2.2m in second round funding to back e-Commerce brands
Published: 12-09-2022 | 10:58:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Austrian startup Shopstory is raising a million-dollar investment from tecnet equity, Startup300 and business angels Patrick Pöschl (Co-Founder Scalable Capital) and Hansi Hansmann in its second round of financing.


Kenyan B2B e-Commerce startup Wasoko opens innovation hub in Zanzibar
Published: 01-09-2022 | 14:27:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Wasoko (formerly Sokowatch), an African B2B e-Commerce startup that leverages technology to transform the informal retail supply chain, announced the official launch of the “Wasoko Innovation Hub” in partnership with the Zanzibar government.


Nigerian B2B e-Commerce startup Omnibiz raises $15m for expansion
Published: 29-08-2022 | 13:35:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nigerian B2B e-Commerce startup Omnibiz has raised $15 million pre-Series A round ($5 million equity and $10 million debt) led by Timon Capital, Ventures Platform, Lofty Inc, Chapel Hill Denham, Chandaria Capital and Musha Ventures.


Budmail announces partnership with Canadian AI startup Lil Durk
Published: 16-08-2022 | 16:40:53 | By: Pie Kamau
Lil Durk (LilDurk.com), a Canadian news & technology company enhanced by AI-driven neural networks, has announced a strategic partnership agreement with Budmail, a retail-focused cannabis company.


South African agritech disruptor AgriKool drives down food costs for consumers, increases profits for farmers
Published: 15-08-2022 | 12:31:00 | By: Pie Kamau
AgriKool, a South African e-trading platform, is connecting agricultural producers to buyers to facilitate the sale of products between retailers and farmers.


Kenyan mobile commerce startup Copia unveils manufacturing unit for sugar and rice production
Published: 08-08-2022 | 09:48:39 | By: Pie Kamau
Copia Global, a Kenyan-based mobile commerce platform has unveiled a new manufacturing unit to enhance its output of affordable sugar and rice to the Kenyan market.


Product search engine startup Vetted raises $15m to vet trustworthy product data for consumers
Published: 03-08-2022 | 15:27:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Vetted (formerly Lustre) announced the launch of its AI-powered product search engine, alongside a $14 million Series A investment round led by global software investor Insight Partners.


Autonomous robotics delivery startup Ottonomy closes $3.3m seed financing round
Published: 03-08-2022 | 14:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Ottonomy.IO, the autonomous robotics delivery startup, announced the close of its seed funding round of $3.3 million bringing its total funding to date to $4.9 million, supporting the scale of Ottobots for fully autonomous airport, retail and restaurant deliveries.


VMG Catalyst closes $400m Fund II to scale commerce venture capital space
Published: 03-08-2022 | 13:43:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Venture capital firm VMG Catalyst announced the closing of Fund II at its target of $400 million, bringing the total capital raised to $650 million across both funds.


London-based startup Geomiq raises $8.5m to digitize manufacturing and deliver industry leading service levels
Published: 28-07-2022 | 11:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
London-based startup Geomiq announced it has raised $8.5 million funding to digitize global manufacturing and deliver industry leading service levels for Engineers and Procurement teams.


Bodybuilding.com partners with Retail Ecommerce Ventures to accelerate growth
Published: 04-07-2022 | 14:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Bodybuilding.com, the online fitness store, has struck a deal to partner with Retail Ecommerce Ventures (REV), a global leader in e-Commerce with a rapidly growing roster of well-known brands, to accelerate growth.


Indian no-code mobile startup Plobal raises $8.5m to expand presence in North America
Published: 20-06-2022 | 11:26:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Plobal Apps, a no-code mobile app platform for e-commerce stores, raised $8.5 million, led by Elevation Capital and Bessemer Venture Partners.


B2B e-Commerce and fintech startup Bazaar raises $70m to revamp the retail industry in Pakistan
Published: 13-06-2022 | 11:57:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Bazaar, Pakistan’s B2B e-Commerce and fintech platform has raised $70 million in a Series B financing led by Dragoneer Investment Group and Tiger Global Management.


Utrecht-based same day and next day delivery startup Trunkrs raises €15 million in growth capital
Published: 10-06-2022 | 13:26:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Trunkrs, specialist in same day & next day delivery for the e-Commerce sector, has successfully raised €15 million in a series B investment round. The financing round was led by Korys, the Belgian investment company of the Colruyt family.


Amsterdam-based Instant Commerce secures €2m pre-seed funding to boost its headless storefront builder
Published: 09-06-2022 | 11:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Amsterdam-based Instant Commerce announced it has secured €2 million pre-seed funding to boost its headless storefront builder.


Oregon-based Dutch Bros raises $2.3m to help end ALS
Published: 06-06-2022 | 16:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Dutch Bros, a drive-through coffee chain headquartered in Grants Pass, Oregon, announced that together with its customers, raised a record breaking $2.3 million during its 16th annual Drink One for Dane day.


Text messaging startup Prokeep raises $9m to modernize distributor communications and commerce
Published: 03-06-2022 | 13:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Prokeep, the communications and commerce platform built exclusively for distributors, announced the closing of $9 million seed round.


Indonesian social commerce startup Super completes $70m oversubscribed Series C round
Published: 02-06-2022 | 16:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Super, an Indonesian social commerce platform serving tier-2 and tier-3 cities and Indonesian rural areas, announced it completed a $70 million oversubscribed Series C round led by NEA with additional investment from Insignia Ventures Partners.


Swiss Web3 payment startup DePay brings Web3 P2P payment gateway to eligible Shopify merchants
Published: 02-06-2022 | 15:57:19 | By: Pie Kamau
Swiss Web3 payment startup DePay, announced its official integration into omnichannel commerce platform Shopify, allowing for the very first integration of a wallet-to-wallet (P2P) payment solution for eligible Shopify merchants.


e-Commerce logistics startup Kubbo begins international expansion, starts Italy operations
Published: 23-05-2022 | 12:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
e-Commerce logistics startup Kubbo, announced its first international move to expand its model of digitising logistics for brands and ecommerce companies. The operator has launched its activity in Italy.


Contract management startup Evisort raises $100m funding to enhance customer experience, accelerate growth
Published: 13-05-2022 | 14:18:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Evisort, the no-code contract intelligence platform loved by legal, procurement, and sales operations teams worldwide, announced it has raised $100 million in capital.


Dough Ecommerce Capital partners with Byrne Capital to scale DTC businesses online
Published: 11-05-2022 | 13:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Dough Ecommerce Capital and Byrne Capital Ventures announced a strategic partnership to invest in and acquire direct-to-consumer (DTC) ecommerce businesses.


Foodtech startup Haofood partners Lawson to accelerate presence in China
Published: 11-05-2022 | 12:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Haofood, a food science and technology startup announced a new partnership with Chinese convenience store Lawson where customers will gain greater access to its products.


e-Commerce startup byrd raises $56m Series C to become Europe-wide standard for next-day delivery
Published: 10-05-2022 | 11:07:00 | By: Pie Kamau
e-Commerce fulfillment technology startup byrd has raised a Series C round of $56 million, bringing the funding raised within the last 10 months to $75 million.


Nigerian retail tech startup TradeDepot appoints Chidi Akubuiro as Managing Director for West Africa
Published: 10-05-2022 | 09:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
TradeDepot, a B2B e-Commerce and embedded finance platform in Africa, has appointed former Coca Cola HBC and Hayat Kimya Nigeria Executive, Chidi Akubuiro as its Managing Director for West Africa.


Food tech startup Tomorrow Farms raises $8.5m seed round to fuel sustainable food revolution
Published: 09-05-2022 | 10:05:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Tomorrow Farms, a food technology company on a mission to fuel the sustainable food revolution with irresistible food and beverage brands, announced a $8.5 million seed round led by Lowercarbon Capital and additional key investors.


The Home Depot announces $150m venture capital fund to fuel innovation in retail and home improvement
Published: 03-05-2022 | 16:28:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Home Depot announced Home Depot Ventures, a $150 million venture capital fund created to identify, fund and partner with early-stage companies to accelerate emerging technologies.


Glovo announces winners of its tech startup pitch competition in Kenya
Published: 03-05-2022 | 13:46:00 | By: Pie Kamau
On-demand delivery platform Glovo has announced the winners of its tech startup pitch competition in Kenya.


African B2B marketplace Kwely nabs $1m seed round to accelerate growth
Published: 29-04-2022 | 13:52:00 | By: Pie Kamau
African B2B marketplace Kwely finalized a $1 million seed funding round with a $700,000 injection of fresh capital led by WIC Capital with participation from Loftyinc Capital, Afropreneur Angels, Haskè Ventures and other angel investors.


Estonian e-Store startup Upty acquires Finnish peer Rekki, opens up seed round
Published: 26-04-2022 | 13:18:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Estonian startup Upty, the resale e-Store in the Baltic region, announced the acquisition of its Finnish peer, Rekki. In addition, Upty is planning to kick-start the fundraising in the coming months in order to pursue the Company's accelerated expansion across Europe.


Plant-based meat startup Nowadays closes $7m seed round to accelerate health-focused chicken
Published: 22-04-2022 | 14:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Health-focused plant-based meat company Nowadays closed its oversubscribed Seed round, raising just shy of $10 million to-date to support commercialization of new plant-based chicken innovation.


SAP.iO launches Resilient Supply Chain startup program in collaboration with Accenture
Published: 21-04-2022 | 11:37:00 | By: Pie Kamau
SAP SE announced the launch of a virtual startup program focused on building a resilient supply chain at the SAP.iO Foundries Munich and Tel Aviv.


Kenyan mobile commerce startup Copia appoints former Amazon Executive to its Board
Published: 07-04-2022 | 16:18:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Copia Global, a Kenyan-based mobile commerce platform has announced the appointment of former Amazon executive Jason Murray to its Board.


Luxury clean CBD brand Lure Life closes $750K seed funding round for expansion
Published: 01-04-2022 | 15:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Lure Life, (Lure), a luxury, joy producing CBD brand has raised $750,000 in a Seed round of funding supported by a diverse group of investors in the beauty, finance and the consumer-packaged goods sectors.


Colombian-based consumer and fintech startup Leal secures $10m Series A round to scale growth
Published: 01-04-2022 | 14:05:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Colombian-based consumer and fintech company Leal has raised a $10 million Series A round co-led by global internet services leader Rakuten Group – through its investment arm Rakuten Capital – and IDC Ventures global fintech investment firm.


Climate tech startup Station A launches Clean Energy Grades to instantly generate financial and carbon savings
Published: 31-03-2022 | 13:04:44 | By: Pie Kamau
Station A, the U.S. clean energy marketplace, announced it launched Clean Energy Grades, a new product that instantly tells you the financial return of switching to clean energy.


Kenyan social commerce startup Tushop raises $3m pre-seed funding to accelerate growth
Published: 31-03-2022 | 12:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Tushop, a Kenyan social-commerce platform that enables group-buying of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs), announced it has raised $3 million in pre-seed funding, led by 4DX Ventures.


Europe's TIER Mobility acquires US-based Fantasmo to expand its accurate e-scooter parking system
Published: 31-03-2022 | 12:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
TIER Mobility, Europe's shared micro-mobility provider, announced it has acquired Us-based Fantasmo, to further expand its most accurate e-scooter parking system and introduce a computer vision-powered rider assistance system.


Ecosystem restoration startup Lord of the Trees raises $1.25m pre-seed round to upscale environmental protection
Published: 31-03-2022 | 11:53:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Lord of the Trees, a full ecosystem restoration company that uses precision drone planting technology to restore degraded landscapes, announced a $1.25 million pre-seed funding round.


Mental health startup Nivati Secures $4m seed round to scale its platform
Published: 31-03-2022 | 11:25:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nivati, a holistic mental health platform for employees, announced an oversubscribed seed round of $4 million led by FireBrand Ventures, with participation from Peak and Access Venture Partners.


AI-powered video commerce startup Vyrill raises $3m seed round to accelerate growth
Published: 31-03-2022 | 11:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
VYRILL, a startup that enables video commerce with new, innovative 'in-video' search technology, announced the closing of a $3 million seed round of funding led by Noemis Ventures and Lightship Capital.


French insect farming startup Ÿnsect acquires Nebraska-based Jord Producers to open first mealworm farm in the US
Published: 30-03-2022 | 11:43:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Jord Producers, based in Nebraska, has been incorporated into Ÿnsect’s production portfolio, signifying the global leader’s entry into North American mealworm production.


Techstars partners with J.P. Morgan to invest in diverse entrepreneurs across the U.S.
Published: 30-03-2022 | 11:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Techstars announced a new accelerator program powered by J.P. Morgan that will invest more than $80 million in diverse entrepreneurs and founders across the U.S.


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.


Nigerian B2B startup Kwik closes $2m Series A round to digitize informal African trade
Published: 30-03-2022 | 10:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
French-Nigerian B2B startup Kwik, a fast-growing provider of SaaS logistics services to social vendors and e-commerce platforms in Africa, has announced that it successfully closed its $2 million Series A round.


Egyptian e-Sport startup Eksab raises $3m seed funding to scale its fantasy football platform
Published: 30-03-2022 | 10:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cairo-headquartered e-Sport startup has raised $3 million seed funding round, bringing the company’s total investment to date to $3.7 million.


Vehicle financing startup Moove partners with Swvl for EV buses across the MENAP region
Published: 30-03-2022 | 10:32:25 | By: Pie Kamau
Egypt’s on-demand bus-hailing company Swvl, announced a new partnership with African fintech mobility startup Moove to scale Moove’s revenue-based vehicle financing model across the MENAP region.


On-demand transport platform Bolt launches 2nd edition of its Women in Tech internship program in Kenya
Published: 30-03-2022 | 10:24:12 | By: Pie Kamau
On-demand transport platform Bolt announced it has rolled out the second edition of its Women in Tech internship program in Kenya.


Cybersecurity startup ActZero certified as SOC 2 Type II compliant
Published: 29-03-2022 | 14:43:17 | By: Pie Kamau
ActZero, a cybersecurity startup that helps small and mid-sized businesses protect their organizations, announced it has been third-party certified as Service Organization Control (SOC) 2 Type II compliant.


Healthtech startup Radish announces $4m seed round to enhance access to convenient and affordable healthcare
Published: 29-03-2022 | 14:17:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Radish Health, a concierge healthcare platform providing convenient and affordable primary care services to municipal governments and midsize businesses, announced $4 million in seed funding.


Plug and Play Japan kicks off 3rd Smart Cities accelerator program in Osaka and Tokyo
Published: 29-03-2022 | 13:48:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Plug and Play Japan has selected 25 startups from Japan and overseas for their accelerator program that promotes open innovation in Smart Cities theme. From the Batch 3 program, it will expand and operate at two locations, Tokyo and Osaka.


Danish healthtech startup Qure.ai raises $40m to accelerate market expansion, support product development
Published: 29-03-2022 | 13:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Qure.ai (Qure), the healthtech firm using Artificial Intelligence (AI) for medical imaging diagnostics, announced it has secured $40 million in a funding round led by Novo Holdings and HealthQuad.


Healthtech startup Altibbi raises $44m to scale growth across the MENA region
Published: 29-03-2022 | 13:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Middle East’s AI-based digital health platform Altibbi, has raised $44 million in Series B fund funding led by Foundation Holdings, Hikma Ventures and existing investors Global Ventures and DASH Ventures.


Cambridge-based startup Sano Genetics raises $11m funding to accelerate genetic disease research
Published: 28-03-2022 | 16:46:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cambridge-based startup Sano Genetics announced it has raised $11 million in a Series A funding round led by MMC Ventures, with further funding from Episode 1, Seedcamp and several experienced operators in software and life sciences.


Israeli data integration startup Triple Whale raises $27.7m to develop default e-Commerce operating system for Shopify brands
Published: 28-03-2022 | 16:24:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Triple Whale, the all-in-one operating system for Shopify brands, announced it has raised $27.7 million in an extended Series A, the company's first announced funding round since its foundation in May 2021.


Israeli tech startup Run:ai completes proof of concept with NVIDIA
Published: 28-03-2022 | 15:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Run:ai, the company simplifying AI infrastructure orchestration and management, announced details of a completed proof of concept (POC) which enables multi-cloud GPU flexibility for companies using NVIDIA GPUs in the cloud.


Neurotechnology startup Phantom Neuro secures $3.26m seed round to advance machine control technology
Published: 28-03-2022 | 15:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Phantom Neuro, a burgeoning neurotechnology startup, announced a $3.26 million funding round from leading international and U.S.-based investors.


Konza Technopolis and ASSEK sign MoU to support startups in Kenya
Published: 28-03-2022 | 13:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) and the Association of Startups and SME Enablers in Kenya (ASSEK) have signed an MoU to enhance innovation and support startups in Kenya.


10 African fintech startups selected for CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa Special Dubai Edition
Published: 28-03-2022 | 13:34:31 | By: Pie Kamau
The LHoFT Foundation has announced the 10 African fintech startups that will take part in the special edition of CATAPULT: Inclusion Africa which will be held in Dubai, UAE.


Nigerian Big Cabal Media raises $2.3m to fuel audience growth and build new verticals
Published: 17-03-2022 | 12:38:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Big Cabal Media [BCM], a pan-African media company headquartered in Nigeria, has announced the close of its Seed Series fundraising round at $2.3million, led by MaC Venture Capital.


Capnamic closes $215m venture capital fund for early-stage investments in German-speaking countries
Published: 17-03-2022 | 12:25:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Early-stage investor Capnamic, announced its third venture capital fund of $215 million to focus on Pre-Seed to Series A investments in technology-based startups from the German-speaking region.


Kenyan fintech 4G Capital raises $18.5m Series C funding to scale lending to MSMEs
Published: 17-03-2022 | 11:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan fintech credit provider 4G Capital has raised $18.5 million in Series C funding from global private equity firm Lightrock.


Crypto exchange platform Luno launches investment arm to support fintech and crypto startups
Published: 17-03-2022 | 11:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cryptocurrency exchange platform Luno, a subsidiary of Digital Currency Group (DCG), has launched Luno Expeditions, an early-stage investment arm to support fintech and crypto/web3 startups from around the world.


Kenyan e-Commerce startup Sokowatch raises $125m, rebrands to Wasoko
Published: 17-03-2022 | 11:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan based B2B e-Commerce startup Sokowatch has raised a $125 million Series B equity round, the largest venture financing round ever raised for a non-fintech startup in Africa.


Singapore-based Treehouse Finance raises $18m seed funding to establish a standard for DeFi analytics
Published: 17-03-2022 | 11:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Treehouse, a Web3 company transforming on-chain data into meaningful metrics to help decentralized finance (DeFi) investors make informed financial decisions, announced an $18 million seed round raise.


Swiss edtech startup Alphacruncher raises €1.45m for global rollout of research cloud workspace product
Published: 16-03-2022 | 13:36:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Swiss edtech startup Alphacruncher has raised €1.45 million funding from Austrian venture capital firm Alpine Equity, NGM, private investors and existing users, to enable the global rollout of its education and research cloud workspace product, Nuvolos.


Canadian healthtech startup Clinia raises $5m to power personalized pathways into every health journey
Published: 16-03-2022 | 12:57:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Montreal-based startup Clinia, the personalized health navigation platform, announced a $5 million CAD Seed funding round to scale the growth of its health search infrastructure across North America.


Israeli network security startup OneLayer steps out of stealth with $8.2m seed round to protect private 5G networks
Published: 16-03-2022 | 12:25:00 | By: Pie Kamau
OneLayer, a pioneer in securing private LTE/5G networks for enterprises, announced its launch out of stealth along with an $8.2 million seed funding round led by Grove Ventures and Viola Ventures.


Climate tech startup Cambium Carbon raises $3m seed funding to reinvent the wood supply chain, reduce carbon emissions
Published: 16-03-2022 | 11:48:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cambium Carbon PBC announced a $3.2 million seed round investment led by MaC Venture Capital, supported by Soma Capital, Joe Tsai, Revolution's Rise of the Rest Seed Fund, Blue Ivy Ventures and others.


Insurance startup Asteya launches new product offering on its technology-first platform
Published: 16-03-2022 | 11:28:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Asteya, an income insurance technology company whose mission is to provide financial health and wellbeing by transforming the income insurance space, announced the launch of its additional product offering, Accidental Death.


Indonesia's East Ventures signs to UN PRI to create responsible and sustainable investment
Published: 15-03-2022 | 11:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
East Ventures, a pioneering sector-agnostic venture capital firm in Indonesia, has officially become a UN Principles for Responsible Investment (UN PRI) signatory as part of its commitment to creating responsible and sustainable investment.


Product photo performance startup Bloom raises $1.1m seed round funding to bring generative AI to e-Commerce
Published: 15-03-2022 | 11:17:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Product photo performance engine Bloom announced it has raised $1.1 million at the close of its seed funding round.


Ghanaian fintech startup Dash closes $32.8m seed round to create a unified payments app for Africans
Published: 15-03-2022 | 10:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Dash, the unified and accessible payments app, announced it has raised $32.8 million in an oversubscribed seed round, one of the largest seed rounds for an African technology startup.


Nigerian mobility fintech startup Moove raises $105m series A2 round to scale growth
Published: 15-03-2022 | 09:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Mobility fintech, Moove, which provides revenue-based financing to mobility entrepreneurs across Africa, has raised $105 million in an oversubscribed Series A2 round consisting of equity and debt.


15 startups selected for Google for Startups Accelerator Africa Class 7
Published: 15-03-2022 | 09:14:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Google has announced the 15 African startups that have been selected for its Startups Accelerator Africa Class 7 programme. The startups are developing solutions in areas such as healthcare, education, fleet management, logistics automation and recruiting.


Danish customer support innovator Dixa acquires Miuros and Solvemate startups for $43m
Published: 11-03-2022 | 13:40:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Danish customer support innovator Dixa, announced the acquisitions of analytics leader Miuros, and automation pioneer Solvemate.


FirstEnergy contributes $1m to UBIZ Venture Capital to support minority businesses in Northeast Ohio
Published: 11-03-2022 | 13:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau
To help expand and grow minority-owned businesses in northeast Ohio, FirstEnergy announced a $1 million contribution to UBIZ Venture Capital, a small business lending program affiliated with the Urban League of Greater Cleveland.


Colombian startup Yuno raises $10m seed round to solve online payments in Latin America
Published: 11-03-2022 | 12:43:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Yuno, a Colombia-based startup has raised a $10 million seed round to bring to Latin American companies an easy online checkout solution that solves the pain point of managing multiple payment methods.


New Stack Ventures raises $42.6m for its second fund to invest in Silicon Valley outsiders
Published: 11-03-2022 | 11:21:00 | By: Pie Kamau
New Stack Ventures, an early-stage venture fund dedicated to investing in Silicon Valley outsiders, announced it has raised $42.6 million for its second fund.


African crypto startup Basqet launches payment gateway to enable businesses accept Bitcoin
Published: 11-03-2022 | 11:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
African blockchain payments startup Basqet announced the launch of its cryptocurrency payments gateway which will allow businesses to accept Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as payment.


EV startup BasiGo flags off first electric buses in Kenya
Published: 10-03-2022 | 15:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nairobi headquartered e-mobility startup BasiGo flagged off the first electric buses in the country for passenger use.


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.


Dream VC opens applications for its VC Fellowship Program in Africa
Published: 10-03-2022 | 15:25:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Dream VC, a Remote Venture Capital Upskilling Institute, has opened applications for its 2022 fellowship program for VCs in Africa.


Salary on-demand startup Cadana partners with Flutterwave to expand into Nigeria
Published: 10-03-2022 | 15:17:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cadana, the salary on-demand startup has expanded operations into Nigeria following a strategic partnership with Flutterwave, Africa’s leading payments technology company.


[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.


Swedish travel tech startup Acamp acquires Ställpatser, prepares for European expansion
Published: 09-03-2022 | 12:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Acamp, the Swedish marketplace connecting campers with landowners, has acquired the popular camping community app, Ställpatser, just weeks after its €2.5 million funding round.


London-based digital foreign exchange Currencies Direct announces £140m investment from Blackstone
Published: 09-03-2022 | 12:21:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Palamon Capital Partners and Corsair announced that funds managed by Blackstone have agreed to make a £140 million strategic investment in Currencies Direct.


5G Open Innovation Lab selects MetaPower to join its startup development program
Published: 09-03-2022 | 11:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
MetaPower, the innovators creating the future of Intelligent Wireless Power, announced its selection as one of 12 startups newly added to the 5G Open Innovation Lab (5G OIL).


Plant-based food startup Lypid enters B2B vegan-fat market with $4m seed round to commercialize rich, juicy PhytoFat
Published: 09-03-2022 | 10:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Lypid, creator of vegan fats reported to taste and behave like animal fats, announced it has raised a $4 million seed round led by Green Generation Fund with additional support from Big Idea Ventures.


Canadian tech startup Calico secures $2.1m to revolutionize modern supply chains
Published: 09-03-2022 | 09:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Calico, the developer of the first AI-powered smart supply chain management platform, announced it has raised $2 million in seed funding. The growth financing is led by Serena Ventures following 300% growth since January 2022.


German logistics tech startup Forto raises $250m to accelerate international expansion
Published: 08-03-2022 | 11:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
German logistics tech startup Forto, the provider of digitized freight forwarding and supply chain solutions, announced it has raised $250 million in a pre-emptive Series D investment round led by Disruptive.


Cybersecurity startup MindWise launches equity crowdfunding campaign on MicroVentures
Published: 08-03-2022 | 11:09:18 | By: Pie Kamau
Cybersecurity startup MindWise announced the launch of an equity crowdfunding campaign on MicroVentures.


Japanese SocialGood App raises $14.2m for patented crypto back platform
Published: 08-03-2022 | 10:57:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Japanese SocialGood App, which gives users cryptocurrency rewards for shopping, has raised $14.2 million in Series A funding from a venture capital firm.


Plug and Play launches in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, in partnership with Transtelecom
Published: 08-03-2022 | 10:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Plug and Play, the world's innovation platform connecting startups, investors, and pioneering companies, has announced a new partnership with Transtelecom JSC, one of the largest communication operators in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.


26 startups selected to join African Tech Vision's 2nd mentorship program for African female founders
Published: 08-03-2022 | 10:28:00 | By: Pie Kamau
African Tech Vision, a non-profit-organization supporting early-stage female tech founders, has announced 26 startups that will be joining its 2nd mentorship program.


Capricorn Digital Growth Fund closes at €84.5m to back healthtech, business 4.0 startups in Benelux, Europe
Published: 03-03-2022 | 13:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Capricorn Digital Growth Fund closes at €84.5 million to back digital health and business 4.0 startups in Benelux


On-demand delivery platform Glovo launches pitch competition for early-stage tech startups in Kenya
Published: 03-03-2022 | 12:53:00 | By: Pie Kamau
On-demand delivery platform Glovo has launched a pitch competition targeting early-stage tech startups in Kenya that are delivering value to SMEs.


e-Commerce startup The Host Co. raises $1.85m to revolutionize short-term rental industry
Published: 03-03-2022 | 12:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Host Co., the first-of-its-kind digital commerce marketplace for short-term rentals, announced an oversubscribed $1.85 million seed funding round, led by HearstLab with participation from The Artemis Fund and Untapped Capital.


TDK Ventures invests in climatetech startup Divirod to advance prediction of water-related catastrophes
Published: 03-03-2022 | 12:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
TDK Corporation announced that subsidiary TDK Ventures, invested in Boulder, CO-based climate-tech startup Divirod. Their sensor solution enables high-accuracy risk assessment of water levels.


South African fintechs Payflex and Merchant Capital launch cash advance solution for small retailers
Published: 03-03-2022 | 11:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Two South African fintechs, alternative lender Merchant Capital and buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) specialist Payflex, have launched a cash advance solution for small and mid-sized retail sector.


Oslo-based management startup Presail closes $1.6m seed round to revolutionize Web 3.0 investments
Published: 02-03-2022 | 14:38:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Oslo-based management startup Presail announced the closing of $1.6 million from a series of reputable venture capital firms and strategic angel investors.


Carrier launches venture firm to accelerate sustainable innovation and disruptive building and cold chain technology
Published: 02-03-2022 | 13:20:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Carrier Global Corporation, the global provider of healthy, safe, sustainable and intelligent building and cold chain solutions, has created Carrier Ventures, a new global venture capital group.


Manufacturing technology startup OPT Industries raises $15m to address demand for novel materials design and production
Published: 02-03-2022 | 12:52:00 | By: Pie Kamau
OPT Industries, the manufacturing technology startup behind the InstaSwab high-efficacy medical applicator, announced it has raised $15 million in Series A financing.


Employee experience startup Whistle closes on $3.2m seed round to accelerate growth
Published: 02-03-2022 | 12:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Whistle, a new generation of employee experience platform, announced it has raised a $3.2 million seed funding round led by Dundee Venture Capital (VC). Other investors include Chicago-based M25.


South African cryptocurrency exchange VALR raises $50m Series B funding to expand across the continent
Published: 02-03-2022 | 12:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
VALR.com, a South Africa cryptocurrency exchange, announced it has raised $50 million, Africa’s largest ever crypto funding round, bringing the company`s valuation at $240 million.


German investor CommerzVentures closes €300m third fund to support European fintech and insurtech startups
Published: 01-03-2022 | 12:52:00 | By: Pie Kamau
CommerzVentures, the specialist fintech investor, announced its third €300m fund, to go towards supporting early and growth-stage companies in the fintech and insurtech sectors.


Venture Noire partners with Remote Year to launch global accelerator program for Black and minority startups
Published: 01-03-2022 | 12:28:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Venture Noire, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving black quality of life through economic development, has partnered with Remote Year to expand its signature 8-week accelerator program.


Fintech platform M-KOPA secures $75m growth equity round to scale its African footprint
Published: 01-03-2022 | 12:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
M-KOPA, the fintech platform that provides connected financing and digital financial services to underbanked consumers across four markets in Africa, announced its $75 million growth equity round, bringing its total equity funding to $190 million.


Energy-efficient AI semiconductor startup EdgeCortix closes over $8m Series A funding
Published: 01-03-2022 | 11:58:00 | By: Pie Kamau
EdgeCortix the AI-focused fabless semiconductor company, announced the closing of over $8 million in series A funding.


IronCore Labs launches program to give two years free data security tools to qualified startups
Published: 01-03-2022 | 10:57:06 | By: Pie Kamau
IronCore Labs, the provider of data security for modern cloud applications, announced the IronCore Labs Startup Program that gives two years of free data security tools to qualified startups.


French healthtech startup Synapse Medicine raises $28m to scale its medication reconciliation platform
Published: 01-03-2022 | 10:38:00 | By: Pie Kamau
France-based healthtech startup Synapse Medicine has raised $28 million led by leading European venture firm Korelya Capital, and past investors (XAnge, MACSF, and BNP Paribas Development).


Food startup Next Gen Foods debuts TiNDLE in the U.S., announces $100m Series A funding round
Published: 28-02-2022 | 14:28:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Food startup Next Gen Foods announced its first product TiNDLE, now available in a range of iconic restaurants across the East and West Coasts in some of the country's leading "foodie" cities.


Retailtech startup Cortina raises $6m seed round to accelerate growth
Published: 28-02-2022 | 12:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cortina, a revolutionary software solution that gives any retailer, from big box to mom-and-pop, the power to become a player in the fast-evolving marketplace revolution, announced it has closed $6 million in seed money.


Kenyan foodtech startup Kune starts commercial operations in Nairobi
Published: 24-02-2022 | 10:38:05 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan foodtech startup Kune has officially launched commercial operations with four meal hubs located in strategic locations in Nairobi.


Cross-border fintech startup Dowsure raises $20m to fuel growth of e-Commerce sellers in China
Published: 22-02-2022 | 12:07:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Shenzhen-based fintech startup Dowsure Technologies, has attracted the attention of global strategic investors, fueling the growth of millions of e-Commerce sellers from China on marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, Shopee and more.


Kenyan retail tech startup MarketForce raises $40m Series A to scale up super app for Africa’s informal merchants
Published: 22-02-2022 | 10:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
MarketForce, the Nairobi-headquartered B2B platform for retail distribution of consumer goods and digital financial services in Africa, announced the closing of a $40 million Series A round.


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.


German startup Cansativa closes $15m Series B to become the ‘Amazon’ of cannabis for Europe
Published: 17-02-2022 | 12:36:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cansativa Group announced it has closed a $15 million Series B investment led by Casa Verde with participation by Argonautic Ventures and Munich-based family office Alluti.


Raydiant startup raises $30m Series B to reimagine in-store experiences for brick and mortars
Published: 17-02-2022 | 11:56:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Raydiant, the in-location experience management platform for brick-and-mortar enterprises, announced it has raised a $30 million Series B funding round led by 8VC and Atomic Ventures.


MENA's c-Commerce startup Zbooni launches in Egypt
Published: 16-02-2022 | 09:59:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Zbooni, MENA's c-Commerce (connected commerce) platform, has announced its official launch in Egypt. The rapidly scaling startup, which is backed by regional and global investors, will support the backbone of the Egyptian economy.


Fraugster partners with Dutch-based fintech startup Payaut to provide fraud prevention services to e-Commerce marketplaces
Published: 14-02-2022 | 09:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Fraugster, a German-Israeli payment intelligence company, has partnered with marketplace payout specialist Payaut, an Amsterdam-based fintech startup, to provide fraud prevention services to marketplaces.


[African Startup Review] Pie Kamau: Capital funding for tech startups gain momentum in 2022
Published: 11-02-2022 | 07:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The startup ecosystem in Africa is taking shape. A lot of technological innovations especially in the areas of fintech, e-mobility, e-commerce, healthtech, foodtech and cleantech have seen accelerated growth towards Africa’s digital transformation and innovation.


SaaS startup Aramid Technologies raises $2m seed round to redefine quality certification management in global supply chains
Published: 09-02-2022 | 13:56:00 | By: Pie Kamau
SaaS startup Aramid Technologies announced it has raised $2 million in seed funding to expand its flagship product, SmartCert.


Vietnam-focused retail investing app Infina closes $6m seed funding to accelerate growth
Published: 09-02-2022 | 12:18:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Vietnam-focused retail investing app Infina, announced the closing of $6 million in seed funding from Sequoia Capital India’s Surge, Y Combinator, Saison Capital, Starling Ventures, Alpha JWC, and AppWorks.


Amsterdam-based Polestar Capital opens €100m circular economy fund, largest of its kind in Europe
Published: 08-02-2022 | 13:56:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Amsterdam-based Polestar Capital Polestar Capital announced the launch of the biggest circular economy fund in Europe. The fund, called the Polestar Capital Circular Debt Fund (PCDF), has opened at €100 million


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.


B2B marketplace startup Retailo raises $36m Series A funding to empower community commerce in the MENA region
Published: 01-02-2022 | 13:47:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Retailo, the B2B marketplace startup for retailers in Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan (MENAP), has raised $36 million in its Series A investment round which was a mix of equity and venture debt.


Cloud-based-AI startup Inspectorio raises $50m to reinvent production chain with AI-powered platform
Published: 01-02-2022 | 13:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Inspectorio, the cloud-based AI-powered SaaS solution, announced the company has raised $50 million in a Series B Round led by New York-based global private equity and venture capital firm, Insight Partners.


Grocery logistics startup EasyBins raises $2m late stage seed round for expansion
Published: 26-01-2022 | 12:21:00 | By: Pie Kamau
EasyBins, a company solving the grocery logistics problem for suburban markets in North America, announced $2 million late stage seed round funding to expand its geographic footprint and invest in technology and staff.


Morocco fintech startup Chari closes a bridge round to pilot BNPL services with grocery stores in Francophone Africa
Published: 21-01-2022 | 13:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Aiming to take a serious step towards the Fintech space, Chari has announced the closing of a bridge round led by the Saudi-based venture capital fund Khwarizmi Ventures (KV).


Kenyan mobile commerce startup Copia raises $50m to ramp up African expansion
Published: 21-01-2022 | 12:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan-based mobile commerce platform Copia Global raised $50 million in a Series C equity round led by Goodwell Investments.


Kenyan fintech startup Zanifu closes $1m seed financing round to accelerate growth
Published: 20-01-2022 | 11:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan fintech startup Zanifu announced it has successfully closed a $ 1 million seed financing round to scale its business and improve on its platform.


Israeli foodtech startup Plantish unveils whole-cut plant-based salmon fillets
Published: 18-01-2022 | 10:55:38 | By: Pie Kamau
Israeli foodtech startup Plantish is giving consumers a first look at its flagship product, a 100% plant-based whole-cut salmon fillet, which mimics cooked salmon in texture, taste, appearance and structure.


Ivorian e-Commerce startup Afrikrea raises $6.2m pre-Series A funding, rebrands to 'ANKA'
Published: 13-01-2022 | 10:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Afrikrea, an Ivorian e-Commerce startup has raised $6.2 million pre-Series A funding round led by Investisseurs & Partenaires. The startup has also rebranded to 'ANKA'.


Ampla secures $40 Million in Series A Funding to accelerate hiring and recruitment efforts
Published: 23-12-2021 | 11:56:17 | By: Bob Koigi
This announcement brings the Company’s total funding to $380 million in equity and debt financing, which will enable Ampla to impact even more small-to-medium sized businesses (SMBs) in the consumer brands space.


Kenyan fintech startup Tanda inks deal with Twiga Foods to enable vendors vend its digital financial services
Published: 20-12-2021 | 14:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenya’s fintech startup Tanda announced a new partnership with Twiga Foods that will see Twiga vendors become a one-stop-shop for a variety of digital and financial services offered by Tanda.


REEF acquires foodtech Startup 2ndKitchen
Published: 08-12-2021 | 15:21:10 | By: Bob Koigi
REEF and 2ndKitchen’s existing businesses will be combined under the REEF brand, and will operate under REEF’s Hospitality division.


Kenyan-based Penda Health partners with femtech e-Commerce startup Kasha to ease contraceptive access for consumers
Published: 06-12-2021 | 15:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Healthcare solution provider Penda Health announced a partnership with Rwandan femtech e-Commerce startup Kasha, to enable increase access to contraceptive products via the Kasha digital platform.


Nigerian B2B e-Commerce startup TradeDepot raises $110m to extend ‘Buy-Now-Pay-Later’ services to African retailers
Published: 06-12-2021 | 14:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
TradeDepot, the B2B e-Commerce and embedded finance platform in Africa, has raised $110 million in an equity and debt funding round to support the delivery of Buy-Now-Pay-Later services to SME retailers.


[Startup Interview] Sophie Tarif, Nina van Boxtel, Founders, BOETIEK, Netherlands
Published: 30-11-2021 | 13:57:00 | By: Bob Koigi
BOETIEK, a Dutch startup, works with local boutiques and brands to increase audiences and increase online sales. The platform offers a wide range of products and services from latest fashion trends to new online boutiques and concept stores.


Estonian startup Gelatex raises €1.2m seed round for affordable and scalable manufactured cell-cultured meat
Published: 26-11-2021 | 10:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Estonian startup Gelatex announced it raised €1.2m seed round for affordable and scalable manufactured cell-cultured meat, making it cheaper than ever.


Brazilian fintech startup TruePay raises $32m Series A funding for team and product development
Published: 24-11-2021 | 08:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
TruePay, a Brazilian startup whose innovative payment solution helps small and medium sized retailers have free and secure access to credit, has raised $32 million in Series A funding led by Addition.


Fintech startup and shareholder loyalty pioneer TiiCKER launches Android app
Published: 23-11-2021 | 07:36:00 | By: Pie Kamau
TiiCKER hit the trifecta with the addition of an Android app to its web and iOS portals, giving America's estimated 130 million retail investors instant access to loyalty rewards.


London-based healthcare startup Gravitiq raises $55m seed round to expand portfolio of e-Commerce healthcare brands
Published: 19-11-2021 | 11:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Gravitiq, the doctor-founded and led healthcare brand aggregator, announced the close of its seed funding round, raising a total of $55 million.


Indonesia's Hypefast emerges from stealth mode as the largest house of e-Commerce native brands in Southeast Asia
Published: 17-11-2021 | 12:01:14 | By: Pie Kamau
Hypefast, Southeast Asia's (SEA) largest house of e-Commerce native brands, announced it has grown its portfolio to more than 25 brands and has been achieving full profitability.


Indian full-stack agritech startup DeHaat raises $115m Series D round
Published: 03-11-2021 | 12:18:00 | By: Pie Kamau
DeHaat, the technology-based platform offering end-to-end agricultural services to farmers in India, announced it has raised $115 million in Series D funding, led by Belgium based investment firm Sofina and Lightrock India.


Four Ghanaian startups join the Catalyst Fund Inclusive Digital Commerce accelerator
Published: 02-11-2021 | 12:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Four startups from Ghana have joined The Catalyst Fund Inclusive Digital Commerce Accelerator, a programme that supports innovators building digital commerce solutions.


Indian e-Commerce startup LoveLocal raises $18m Pre-Series B investment round to accelerate growth
Published: 29-10-2021 | 16:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
LoveLocal, India's hyper-local e-Commerce platform empowering local retailers, has raised $18 million in a Pre-Series B investment round.


Female-founded winery startup BOXT raises $9.35m to expand luxury brand of fine wine offerings
Published: 28-10-2021 | 08:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
BOXT, the female-founded, direct-to-consumer winery, announced it has raised $9.35 million in equity and debt funding to drive the continued expansion of its luxury brand of fine wine offerings.


Nigerian e-Commerce startup Sendbox raises $1.8m to digitize deliveries for African SMEs
Published: 19-10-2021 | 08:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nigerian e-Commerce fulfillment startup Sendbox announced the completion of $1.8 million seed round from investors including 4DX Ventures, Enza Capital, FJLabs and Golden Palm Investments.


Unilever invites startups to partner through Positive Beauty Growth Platform
Published: 30-09-2021 | 16:19:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Unilever announced the launch of the Positive Beauty Growth Platform, a new initiative which aims to partner with scaleups and startups to drive innovation and brand growth.


Industrial automation startup Agtonomy launches out of stealth to address farm labor crisis with $4m seed round
Published: 24-09-2021 | 13:58:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Agtonomy, a hybrid autonomy and tele-assist service platform, launched out of stealth and announced a $4 million seed round from Grit Ventures, GV (formerly Google Ventures), and Village Global.


Canadian supplier enablement startup Convictional raises $6.7m Series A funding
Published: 24-09-2021 | 13:14:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Convictional, the first supplier enablement platform for retailers and distributors to power drop ship, marketplace and wholesale business models in one solution, announced it has secured $6.7 million in Series A funding.


Healthtech startup bttn. adds PlastCareUSA to burgeoning supplier ecosystem
Published: 22-09-2021 | 14:36:00 | By: Pie Kamau
bttn., a Healthtech startup providing a B2B e-Commerce platform for purchasing medical supplies, announced an expansion to its product catalog with the addition of 93 PlastCare USA products for dental practitioners.


Organic food startup Teatis closes seed funding round to advance production and marketing in the U.S.
Published: 15-09-2021 | 17:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Teatis, makers of superfood powders for diabetic consumers, announces the close of its seed funding round. The science-backed brand that specializes in sugar-blocking teas accrued $700,000 from various high-power angel investors.


Workwear startup BRUNT raises $8.4m Series A funding to accelerate growth
Published: 15-09-2021 | 15:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
BRUNT Workwear, a modern work boot and apparel brand designed for today's construction workers and tradespeople, closed an $8.4 million Series A round to accelerate its growth and meet demand as the company disrupts a $12 billion-dollar category in the US.


Lectra joins Plug and Play open innovation ecosystem
Published: 14-09-2021 | 16:12:27 | By: Pie Kamau
Major global player in the 4.0 Industry for the fashion, automotive, and furniture market, Lectra is joining the Brand & Retail program of the Plug and Play network, the world's leading innovation platform connecting startups, investors, and pioneering companies.


Canadian plant-based food innovation startup TMRW Foods raises $2.6m in seed round funding
Published: 08-09-2021 | 12:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
TMRW Foods, the growing Canadian plant-based food innovation company, announced a seed round investment of $2.6 million.


Foodtech startup GrubMarket acquires Bartolotta, further expands in Eastern US and Canada
Published: 07-09-2021 | 16:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Food technology startup GrubMarket announced it has completed the acquisition of Bartolotta, a full-service provider of fresh fruits and vegetables to customers in New England, the Mid-Atlantic and Eastern Canada.


[Startup Interview] Nicolas d'Audiffret, Co-Founder, Ankorstore
Published: 06-09-2021 | 11:29:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Ankorstore is an online B2B marketplace connecting brand and retailers, all around Europe.


Wine & spirits e-Commerce startup Speakeasy Co. raises $2m seed round to accelerate growth
Published: 02-09-2021 | 13:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Speakeasy Co., a technology company and e-commerce platform for the wine & spirits industry, announced a $2 million seed round led by Trog Hawley Capital LLC with participation from other notable investors.


Kenyan retail tech startup MarketForce raises $100,000 funding from Harambeans Prosperity Fund
Published: 31-08-2021 | 12:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Harambeans Prosperity Fund, a donor advised investment vehicle formed through the Harambe Entrepreneur Alliance’s network of prominent families and corporations co-invested $100,000 in Y Combinator Harambean venture MarketForce.


Egyptian B2B e-commerce startup MaxAB acquires distribution platform WaystoCap
Published: 25-08-2021 | 13:05:58 | By: Bob Koigi
MaxAB, Egyptian B2B e-commerce platform that serves food and grocery retailers, has acquired WaystoCap, the Morocco-based B2B e-commerce and distribution platform that connects retailers with suppliers across Africa.


End-to-end e-Commerce startup Cart.com raises $98m Series B to deliver integrated solutions for e-Commerce brands
Published: 17-08-2021 | 13:34:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cart.com, the end-to-end e-Commerce services provider, announced the close of a $98 million Series B round, bringing the company's total funding since its launch eight months ago to more than $140 million.


Ghanaian startup Plendify launches B2B e-Commerce marketplace
Published: 17-08-2021 | 12:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Ghanaian startup Plendify has launched a B2B e-Commerce marketplace to connect customers with small and large African wholesalers, manufacturers, exporters, and importers.


Full-stack delivery scale-up Merqueo raises $50m Series C to expand its grocery delivery service across Latin America
Published: 04-08-2021 | 12:20:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Merqueo, a full-stack delivery scale-up, landed a $50 million series C round led by IDC Ventures, Digital Bridge and IDB Invest. The company is the first and largest full-stack grocery delivery player in Latin America.


Fintech startup Rapyd raises $300m Series E to further enhance its service offering
Published: 04-08-2021 | 12:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Rapyd, a global Fintech as a Service company, announced a $300 million Series E funding round led by Target Global.


B2B sales productivity startup Nektar.ai closes $8.1m to accelerate product development, launch in the US market
Published: 04-08-2021 | 11:11:00 | By: Pie Kamau
B2B sales productivity startup, Nektar.ai has raised an additional $ 6 million seed round of funding led by B Capital Group, 3one4 Capital and Nexus Venture Partners.


Nigerian healthtech startup Field Intelligence expands into eleven new cities across East and West Africa
Published: 29-07-2021 | 14:26:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nigerian healthtech startup Field Intelligence announced its expansion into Rivers, Edo, Kaduna, Kano, Enugu, Delta and Kwara States in Nigeria, and Eldoret, Mombasa, Kisumu and Naivasha in Kenya.


[Startup Interview] Dimitri Kalamoudacos,Co-founder, Entrepreneur Suite, South Africa
Published: 27-07-2021 | 12:13:45 | By: Bob Koigi
Entrepreneur Suite is a South African startup targeting micro retailers with an application that records valuable sales information that is then served back to the business owner as demand forecasting suggestions which are designed to provide profiting opportunities.


Egyptian social e-Commerce startup Taager raises $6.4m seed round
Published: 20-07-2021 | 14:28:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Taager, an Egyptian social e-Commerce startup raised a $6.4 million seed funding round to help it scale its platform and expand across the Middle East.


Dragonboat closes $3m seed round to bring product portfolio management to outcome focused teams
Published: 16-07-2021 | 15:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Dragonboat, the Product Portfolio Management platform, announced a $3 million seed round by Act One Ventures, Roble Ventures and GingerBread Capital.


unybrands startup raises $300m in growth capital to acquire and scale e-Commerce businesses
Published: 15-07-2021 | 12:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
unybrands, an integrated platform for e-Commerce businesses looking to scale their operations on and off Amazon, announced the closing of up to $300 million in growth capital with Crayhill Capital Management.


Kenyan startup Marketforce appoints Ore Omolaja as Country Manager, Head of Business for Nigeria
Published: 14-07-2021 | 12:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Marketforce, the Kenyan-based B2B platform for retail distribution of consumer goods and digital financial services in Africa, announced the appointment of Ore Omolaja as the Nigeria Country Manager and Head of Business, effective 15th July 2021.


Kenyan startup MarketForce raises $2m pre-Series A to scale B2B retail marketplace, RejaReja
Published: 14-07-2021 | 12:00:00 | By: Pie Kamau
MarketForce, the Kenyan-based B2B platform for retail distribution of consumer goods and digital financial services in Africa, announced a $2 million pre-Series A round, bringing total funding to-date to $2.5 million.


FDJ announces partnership with Plug and Play Brand & Retail France
Published: 12-07-2021 | 15:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
FDJ announced the beginning of a partnership with Plug and Play, world's open innovation platform.


Alchemy Home Products startup launches The AutoSpout prevent basement flooding after heavy rains
Published: 07-07-2021 | 12:56:32 | By: Pie Kamau
Alchemy Home Products, a Salt Lake City startup, has created a new product that will help prevent basement flooding after heavy rains, The AutoSpout.


Female-founded wellness startup House of Wise raises $2m, launches full line of organic CBD products
Published: 25-06-2021 | 12:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
New female-founded CBD brand House of Wise announced a $2 million seed funding round to improve the lives of women everywhere through community, content, and trustworthy CBD products.


Seattle based healthtech startup bttn. raises $1.5m to automate the future of medical supply
Published: 25-06-2021 | 11:11:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Healthtech startup bttn. closed a $1.5 million seed round from a group of technology and supply chain leaders.


Cannabis marketplace and purchasing platform MainStem named Microsoft Partner for Startups
Published: 22-06-2021 | 13:55:04 | By: Pie Kamau
MainStem, the cannabis industry's only marketplace and combined integrated purchasing platform, announced it has been selected as a Microsoft Partner for Startups.


Predictive Kids' e-Commerce startup Ten Little raises $5m to disrupt children's marketplace with personalized guidance
Published: 18-06-2021 | 13:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Ten Little, the predictive e-Commerce platform helping parents navigate the cluttered kids product space, announced the close of its $5 million seed round led by Kindred Ventures.


MarketForce acquires Digiduka startup to consolidate distribution of consumer goods with digital financial services in Africa
Published: 18-06-2021 | 12:08:43 | By: Pie Kamau
MarketForce, the end-to-end retail distribution platform for consumer brands in Africa, announced the strategic acquisition of Digiduka, a startup on a mission to bring informal retailers in Africa into the digital economy.


Women's wellness startup Kindra raises $4.5m seed round to drive continued growth and expansion
Published: 17-06-2021 | 13:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kindra, a modern wellness brand for menopause essentials, announced it closed a $4.5 million seed funding round. The new capital will be used to drive the continued growth and expansion of Kindra.


Brazilian logtech startup Uello concludes $4m Series A investment deal led by the Btomorrow Ventures
Published: 17-06-2021 | 12:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Uello, a Brazilian logtech startup that uses technology and a collaborative network to provide express freight services with superior experience, concluded its Series A investment deal with an investment injection of $4 million.


Sustainability-focused pet care startup Petaluma launches plant-based diet for dogs
Published: 16-06-2021 | 11:10:48 | By: Pie Kamau
Petaluma, Inc., a pet care startup focused on sustainability, launched the world's first baked and plant-based formula for adult dogs of all breeds. The company's mission is to offer environmentally responsible diets that meet 100% of a dog's nutritional requirements.


SaaS startup Synder raises $2m in late seed round to revolutionize accounting for e-Commerce
Published: 16-06-2021 | 10:58:00 | By: Pie Kamau
TMT investments venture fund invested $2 million as a lead investor in a late seed round into Synder, an easy accounting solution for e-Commerce businesses.


Floral tech startup Something Borrowed Blooms raises $1.5m Series A funding to accelerate growth
Published: 11-06-2021 | 15:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Something Borrowed Blooms, the pioneer of the silk wedding flower revolution, announced a $1.5 million Series A funding round led by Callais Capital. This investment brings the total raise by the company to just over $2 million since 2015.


Food startup OZO expands plant-based proteins to international retail starting in Canada
Published: 11-06-2021 | 14:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Planterra Foods, an innovative plant-based protein startup based in Colorado, announced a supply agreement with UNFI Canada, a subsidiary of UNFI, the largest publicly traded grocery distributor in North America.


Plug and Play Japan selects 91 Startups for its Summer/Fall 2021 Batch
Published: 01-06-2021 | 11:28:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Global Innovation Platform, Plug and Play Japan has selected 91 Japanese and international startups into its Summer/Fall 2021 Batch, which will be carried out from June to September 2021.


Plug and Play Canada selects 12 startups to participate in Toronto Supply Chain and Logistics Program
Published: 18-05-2021 | 13:24:26 | By: Pie Kamau
Plug and Play Canada announced the selection of 12 startups into the first batch of the Toronto Supply Chain & Logistics Program.


Consumer warranty startup Upsie secures $18.2m Series A round to accelerate growth
Published: 14-05-2021 | 11:34:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Upsie, a consumer-centric platform for purchasing product warranties, announced it has raised a $18.2 million fundraising round led by True Ventures.


On-demand delivery management startup Cartwheel raises $1m seed round to accelerate growth
Published: 13-05-2021 | 12:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cartwheel, an on-demand delivery management platform for restaurants and retailers, announced it has raised a $1 million seed round led by TenOneTen Ventures with participation from Act One Ventures and Portillo's Hot Dogs,


Foodtech startup GrubMarket acquires Vaccaro & Sons to expand to St. Louis, Missouri
Published: 05-05-2021 | 13:24:00 | By: Pie Kamau
San Francisco-based food technology startup GrubMarket announced it has completed the acquisition of Vaccaro & Sons in St. Louis, Missouri.


Hashflow raises $3.2m seed round to bring professional market makers to DeFi
Published: 04-05-2021 | 11:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Hashflow, a decentralized exchange connecting DeFi traders with top crypto market makers, closed a seed funding round of $3.2 million from leading venture capital firms and angel investors.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


iFoodDS closes $15m in growth funding led by scaleup investor Insight Partners
Published: 25-03-2021 | 11:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
iFoodDS, provider of food safety, traceability, and quality management solutions for the fresh food supply chain, announced the close of a $15 million Series A funding round led by Insight Partners.


Snap acquires tech startup Fit Analytics
Published: 23-03-2021 | 14:20:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Snapchat's parent company Snap has acquired Fit Analytics, a technology startup that has built technology to help shoppers pick the right-sized clothing and footwear when they shop online.


Canadian fintech startup FIX4 set to transform car repair loan market
Published: 18-03-2021 | 12:10:26 | By: Pie Kamau
Canadian retail finance startup FIX4 Capital has joined the "Buy Now Pay Later" boom by offering instant online loan approvals so customers can enjoy flexible payment solutions for any car repair and maintenance estimates.


Kenyan startup Ajua, MTN Nigeria launch Customer Management mobile app for SMEs
Published: 15-03-2021 | 16:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan based startup Ajua has partnered with MTN Nigeria to launch EnGauge, a digital e-Commerce customer engagement management mobile app to support SMEs.


Boost Ghana and KudiGo selected for Catalyst Fund Inclusive Digital Commerce accelerator
Published: 15-03-2021 | 15:37:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Catalyst Fund Inclusive Digital Commerce Accelerator announced the first cohort of digital commerce companies to be scaled, with the goal of improving the livelihoods of informal MSEs in Ghana.


Nigerian startup Kwik Delivery officially launches its just-in-time delivery service in Abuja
Published: 15-03-2021 | 15:25:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nigerian startup Kwik Delivery announced it officially made available its breakthrough, just-in time delivery service to businesses, government agencies and merchants in Abuja.


Ghana’s healthcare startup mPharma to launch Haltons Pharmacies in Ethiopia
Published: 11-03-2021 | 10:58:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Ghanaian health tech startup mPharma, signed a franchise agreement with Belayab Pharmaceuticals to open Haltons Pharmacies in Ethiopia.


VERSO Capital successfully closes series seed in NITRO Beverage
Published: 11-03-2021 | 10:26:00 | By: Pie Kamau
VERSO Capital, the Luxembourg-based boutique merchant banking and financial services firm, announced the successful closing of a series seed in Nitro Beverage Inc.


Dog food startup KetoNatural Pet Foods raises $2m in seed financing transaction
Published: 08-03-2021 | 14:35:00 | By: Pie Kamau
KetoNatural Pet Foods, a pet food startup founded by companion animal nutrition author and activist Daniel Schulof, announced the closing of a $2 million seed financing transaction led by Chicago-based fund Corazon Capital.


REFASHIOND Ventures announces New Rolling fund on AngelList
Published: 05-03-2021 | 10:53:00 | By: Pie Kamau
REFASHIOND Ventures, an NYC-based, early-stage supply chain technology venture firm that invests in startups refashioning global supply chains, announced the launch of a $10 million early stage Rolling Fund on AngelList.


Plug and Play announces 98 startups for its Spring 2021 Batches
Published: 05-03-2021 | 10:35:37 | By: Pie Kamau
Plug and Play has accepted 98 startups into its Spring 2021 Batches. Startups have been selected for one of the following programs that run through May: Brand & Retail, Food & Beverage, Media & Advertising, New Materials & Packaging, Supply Chain, or Sustainability.


Text message marketing startup Postscript raises $35m to fuel the future of customer communication via SMS
Published: 04-03-2021 | 12:10:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Postscript, the text message marketing platform for Shopify stores, announced a new round of Series B funding of $35 million led by Greylock, with participation from YC Continuity Fund, OpenView, and others


Interlace Ventures adds new venture partners to expand strategic investments in tech-enabled commerce
Published: 03-03-2021 | 09:39:48 | By: Pie Kamau
Interlace Ventures announced it has expanded its team with two commerce technology luminaries. Vibhu Norby and Sydney Werber will join as venture partners while retaining their respective roles at b8ta and Avise.


Sustainable lawn care startup Sunday enters mass retail market
Published: 03-03-2021 | 08:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Eco-friendly startup Sunday announced that its innovative line of lawn, pest, and yard care products will now be available for purchase at Walmart stores throughout the country.


Silicon Road Ventures announces $31m close of fund
Published: 02-03-2021 | 15:58:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Silicon Road Ventures today announced the close of its $31 million fund focused on commerce tech. Silicon Road invests in US-based technology startups ranging from seed to series A across e-commerce, retail and CPG.


Horizon Technology Finance provides $9m venture loan facility to Primary
Published: 26-02-2021 | 11:52:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Horizon Technology Finance Corporation, a specialty finance company announced it has provided a $9 million venture loan facility to Primary Kids (Primary), of which $6 million has been initially funded.


Fintech startup TiiCKER celebrates Detroit public companies with exclusive shareholder perk for investors
Published: 26-02-2021 | 10:05:22 | By: Pie Kamau
TiiCKER, a Detroit-based fintech startup that engages, verifies and rewards retail investors through stock perks, announced an exclusive reward for shareholders of metro Detroit-based public companies.


Emotive startup raises $50m Series B funding to accelerates growth of its conversational text message platform
Published: 25-02-2021 | 08:46:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Emotive, the first and only conversational text message platform for eCommerce brands, announced the closing of a Series B funding round of $50 million led by CRV, bringing the company's valuation to $400 million.


Software startup FloorFound raises raises $4m to turn oversized goods returns into resale profit
Published: 24-02-2021 | 12:27:00 | By: Pie Kamau
FloorFound, a software platform that facilitates returns and resales of oversized products for eCommerce retailers, closed a $4 million seed round led by LiveOak Venture Partners.


Cloud infrastructure startup Pipe17 raises $8m to help high-growth e-Commerce merchants close demand and operations gap
Published: 23-02-2021 | 08:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Pipe17, the connected infrastructure company for e-commerce, announced the closing of an $8 million round of funding led by GLP Capital Partners, the U.S.-based investment arm of GLP.


Livestream commerce startup talkshoplive raises a $3m to further scale its network
Published: 18-02-2021 | 11:19:00 | By: Pie Kamau
talkshoplive (TSL), a Los Angeles-based livestream commerce company, announced it has closed a $3 million seed round of financing led by Spero Ventures LLC, to further scale the livestream network.


Tech startup DineSafe offers new tools for restaurants and consumers alike
Published: 12-02-2021 | 10:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
A new platform DineSafe, is helping individual restaurants show potential customers the many ways they're keeping customers and employees safe.


Plant-based meat startup New Age Meats announces $2m in seed extension prior to Series A
Published: 11-02-2021 | 09:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
New Age Meats (NAM), a cultivated and plant-based meat startup in Berkeley, CA with an initial focus on pork, announced an additional $2 million in Seed extension, adding to funds raised post-Seed announced late last year.


Venture philanthropy platform Sparo joins Microsoft for Startups program
Published: 10-02-2021 | 11:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Maryland-based early-stage company Sparo has joined the Microsoft for Startups program to scale its trademarked Purchase with a Purpose platform on Microsoft Azure.


Food Tech Studio - Bites! unveils 85 startups from across the world to participate in its innovation program
Published: 04-02-2021 | 15:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Scrum Ventures announced the list of startups chosen to participate in its Food Tech Studio - Bites!, a global program aimed to solve the key challenges plaguing our food supply chain today, including (but not limited to) safety, waste reduction, and health.


Canadian tech startup Vegano disrupts meal-kit delivery services market
Published: 29-01-2021 | 14:47:42 | By: Pie Kamau
Vegano, Canada's first plant-based meal-kit delivery service, is helping Canadians take plant-based living beyond Veganuary. Following its official launch on January 4, 2021, Vegano has delivered over 800 meals.


e-commerce startup Sturish raises $3.2m to build AI based growth platform for SMBs
Published: 28-01-2021 | 12:24:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Sturish, an AI driven e-commerce growth platform that establishes and grows online businesses across multiple channels and global markets, closed a $3.2 million seed funding round to hire additional talent and build out its technology platform.


Canadian startup Tealbook raises $14.4m Series A funding to accelerate growth
Published: 27-01-2021 | 10:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Tealbook, the Trusted Source of Supplier Data, announced it closed $14.4 million on the heels of tremendous growth, in an A round with lead investor, RTP Global.