500 Global

crowdForce operates a crowdsourcing platform and an offline distribution network that helps businesses accelerate adoption of digital, crypto, and financial services among underserved populations. The company serves banks and fintechs, nonprofits, market researchers, government agencies, and field agents, providing access to real-time consumer data and enabling deployment of digital services in emerging markets. Founded in 2016, crowdForce has a footprint in Nigeria with an additional presence in the United States.

Smile Identity Inc. is a technology company based in San Francisco, California, that focuses on identity verification solutions. Founded in 2016, the company has developed an application called SmartSelfie, which allows users to create a universal biometric for authentication on Android devices. The team comprises engineers and financial services professionals from both the United States and Africa, bringing expertise in global markets with a focus on highly regulated environments. Smile Identity has developed advanced encryption, authentication, and security solutions, as well as image processing technology. The company has experience working with telecoms, lenders, banks, and startups, enabling them to understand the unique challenges faced by consumers and enterprises in Africa. With support from prominent investors in Silicon Valley and Africa, Smile Identity has established a pan-African presence, operating in countries such as South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Rwanda.

Smile Identity Inc. is a technology company based in San Francisco, California, that focuses on identity verification solutions. Founded in 2016, the company has developed an application called SmartSelfie, which allows users to create a universal biometric for authentication on Android devices. The team comprises engineers and financial services professionals from both the United States and Africa, bringing expertise in global markets with a focus on highly regulated environments. Smile Identity has developed advanced encryption, authentication, and security solutions, as well as image processing technology. The company has experience working with telecoms, lenders, banks, and startups, enabling them to understand the unique challenges faced by consumers and enterprises in Africa. With support from prominent investors in Silicon Valley and Africa, Smile Identity has established a pan-African presence, operating in countries such as South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Rwanda.

EZFarming is a digital marketplace designed to connect small farmers with investors, facilitating financing and the sale of agricultural products. The platform aims to transform small farms into commercially viable operations, thereby addressing youth unemployment and enhancing agricultural productivity in Africa. By targeting at least 1% of African diaspora remittances for agricultural investments, EZFarming seeks to improve food security and create one million job opportunities in the sector by 2024. The company has established partnerships with manufacturing and food processing firms to ensure guaranteed markets for farm produce. Utilizing modern technology, effective supply chain management, and good agricultural practices, EZFarming offers risk-mitigated investment packages that empower the next generation of farmers. Founded by Adewale Oparinde, the company is headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria.

Smile Identity Inc. is a technology company based in San Francisco, California, that focuses on identity verification solutions. Founded in 2016, the company has developed an application called SmartSelfie, which allows users to create a universal biometric for authentication on Android devices. The team comprises engineers and financial services professionals from both the United States and Africa, bringing expertise in global markets with a focus on highly regulated environments. Smile Identity has developed advanced encryption, authentication, and security solutions, as well as image processing technology. The company has experience working with telecoms, lenders, banks, and startups, enabling them to understand the unique challenges faced by consumers and enterprises in Africa. With support from prominent investors in Silicon Valley and Africa, Smile Identity has established a pan-African presence, operating in countries such as South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Rwanda.

ThriveAgric is a technology-driven agribusiness company empowering smallholder farmers across Africa. It provides access to finance, data-driven advisory services, and connects farmers with local and global markets for their produce.

Fyodor is a privately held medical device company whose mission is to develop and commercialize novel medical diagnostic tests that address unmet needs in Nigeria and emerging economies. In response to the large proportion of malaria that is managed at home and in all healthcare settings, Fyodor has developed the Urine Malaria TestTM (UMT) – the first ever non-blood (one-step, no blood, no reagents, no equipment, visually read) rapid test that tells in 25 minutes or less if a fever is due to malaria or not. It removes the complexity, pain and risks associated with a blood test.

Payment24 develops innovative technology for efficient fleet fuel management. Based in Cape Town with global reach, the company offers hi-tech payment solutions that eliminate fuel fraud and provide real-time tracking of employees' fuel consumption.

Aella offers instant credit solutions via a mobile app for Android devices. It facilitates employee loans through employers, reducing traditional loan application hassles and providing competitive rates. The platform benefits employees, companies, and investors. Aella operates across the United States and Nigeria.

PayJoy Inc. is a consumer financing company based in San Francisco, California, founded in 2015. The firm specializes in providing smartphone-enabled financing solutions, primarily targeting underbanked individuals in emerging markets. By leveraging mobile security technology, PayJoy allows customers to select a smartphone, make an initial deposit, and choose a flexible payment plan. The financed smartphone serves as collateral, unlocking its full functionality once the purchase is complete. PayJoy's mission is to enhance access to credit for underserved populations, helping them navigate financial challenges and improve their economic standing. The company has successfully reached over 10 million customers across various countries, including Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and South Africa, and continues to show solid profitability and growth.

Payment24 develops innovative technology for efficient fleet fuel management. Based in Cape Town with global reach, the company offers hi-tech payment solutions that eliminate fuel fraud and provide real-time tracking of employees' fuel consumption.

Fyodor is a privately held medical device company whose mission is to develop and commercialize novel medical diagnostic tests that address unmet needs in Nigeria and emerging economies. In response to the large proportion of malaria that is managed at home and in all healthcare settings, Fyodor has developed the Urine Malaria TestTM (UMT) – the first ever non-blood (one-step, no blood, no reagents, no equipment, visually read) rapid test that tells in 25 minutes or less if a fever is due to malaria or not. It removes the complexity, pain and risks associated with a blood test.

crowdForce operates a crowdsourcing platform and an offline distribution network that helps businesses accelerate adoption of digital, crypto, and financial services among underserved populations. The company serves banks and fintechs, nonprofits, market researchers, government agencies, and field agents, providing access to real-time consumer data and enabling deployment of digital services in emerging markets. Founded in 2016, crowdForce has a footprint in Nigeria with an additional presence in the United States.

Smile Identity Inc. is a technology company based in San Francisco, California, that focuses on identity verification solutions. Founded in 2016, the company has developed an application called SmartSelfie, which allows users to create a universal biometric for authentication on Android devices. The team comprises engineers and financial services professionals from both the United States and Africa, bringing expertise in global markets with a focus on highly regulated environments. Smile Identity has developed advanced encryption, authentication, and security solutions, as well as image processing technology. The company has experience working with telecoms, lenders, banks, and startups, enabling them to understand the unique challenges faced by consumers and enterprises in Africa. With support from prominent investors in Silicon Valley and Africa, Smile Identity has established a pan-African presence, operating in countries such as South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Rwanda.

Aella offers instant credit solutions via a mobile app for Android devices. It facilitates employee loans through employers, reducing traditional loan application hassles and providing competitive rates. The platform benefits employees, companies, and investors. Aella operates across the United States and Nigeria.

CardPlanet Solutions Limited, established in 2011 and headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, specializes in developing and marketing proprietary cloud-based personal information solutions. The company offers a range of products including InstAid, a platform enabling organizations to create, manage, and distribute medical and nutritional e-vouchers via mobile phones; PesaCard, an electronic wallet linked to mobile money for financial empowerment of children and youth; CampoCard, an official identification and access card for university students, faculty, and staff; and Fuel and Loyalty Programs, a rewards system allowing users to earn points and discounts for daily activities. These solutions aim to increase efficiency, convenience, security, and cost savings across health, identity, payments, and loyalty sectors.

They started in early 2013 as a platform that allowed parents to send money to their children in boarding schools in Kenya. Using the M-Pesa mobile money platform layered on top of NFC powered student IDs, They were able to help parents send money allocated specifically for educational supplies and food electronically to their children. Realizing the potential of electronic money transfers tied specifically to allocated expenses, They pivoted in September 2013 from student payment cards to electronic educational, medical and nutritional vouchers. Today Their main product is Paykind, an online e-voucher platform that enables individuals and organizations to send highly specified remittance packages using mobile phone technology.