Samurai Incubate

Samurai Incubate Inc., founded in 2008 and based in Tokyo, Japan, is dedicated to supporting early-stage start-ups by providing comprehensive assistance in management, marketing, sales, human resources, and financial strategies. The company aims to empower these ventures to develop their vision and enhance their revenue potential. Samurai Incubate engages actively with the start-ups it supports, often taking on advisory roles and serving as external directors. In addition to its operations in Japan, the firm has expanded its focus to include investments in start-ups across Africa and Israel, particularly in sectors such as information and communication technology and software-as-a-service. The company embodies the spirit of the samurai, guided by a code of conduct that emphasizes righteousness, loyalty, and the courage to challenge and achieve ambitious goals, thereby fostering a culture of integrity and commitment to positive change in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Kentaro Sakakibara

Representative Director

Rena Yoneyama

Managing Partner

Past deals in Africa

Releaf

Seed Round in 2023
Releaf is a Nigerian company founded in 2017 that operates as an online marketplace connecting agribusiness buyers and sellers. It focuses on sourcing ingredients for African food factories, including cassava, palm oil, ginger, and maize, among others. Releaf aims to create climate-adaptive supply chains in response to the continent's growing population. The firm provides extension services to smallholder farmers, acting as a buyer and streamlining the conversion of raw materials into factory-grade inputs for vegetable oil production. By leveraging digital technologies such as USSD and open banking, along with proprietary machinery, Releaf collaborates with over 2,000 smallholder farmers, facilitating the supply of high-quality palm kernel nuts to food factories. This approach not only enhances operational efficiency for food manufacturers but also supports the economic development of small agricultural startups.

My 1Health

Seed Round in 2022
My 1Health is a prominent medical facilitator focused on enabling global access to specialized healthcare services. The company utilizes an innovative platform that combines advanced technology with data-driven strategies, ensuring a seamless user experience and efficient management of appointments and treatments. By forming strategic partnerships with leading hospitals and individual specialists, My 1Health is able to provide high-quality medical services to patients worldwide. The organization's patient-centric approach is reflected in its establishment of regional hubs in critical areas such as Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, allowing for a better understanding of local needs and cultures. With on-the-ground partners offering dedicated support, My 1Health aims to make the healthcare journey smooth and satisfactory for its clients. As the company continues to evolve, it remains committed to enhancing its services and expanding its reach to meet the diverse healthcare requirements of patients globally.

Gojo & Company

Series E in 2022
Gojo & Company Inc. is a holding company based in Tokyo, Japan, that focuses on enhancing financial inclusion for underserved communities. Founded in 2014, the company operates through subsidiaries, including Microfinance Delta International and Sejaya Micro Credit, providing microfinance services. Gojo partners with financial service providers across 13 countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, and Africa. The company aims to empower individuals to improve their circumstances and achieve financial independence by ensuring access to quality and affordable financial services in developing regions.

Kenzz

Seed Round in 2022
Kenzz is an e-commerce platform focused on transforming the shopping experience for consumers in Egypt and the MENA region. By connecting directly with local manufacturers, Kenzz offers a wide range of products at competitive prices. The platform allows users to make collective purchases with friends and family, unlocking discounts and enabling customers to maximize their savings. In addition to a vast selection of products and deals, Kenzz encourages social sharing, allowing users to share their favorite finds with others and receive rewards in return. This customer-centric approach aims to digitize the traditional shopping experience, making it more accessible and engaging for a broader audience.

The Food Lab

Pre Seed Round in 2022
The Food Lab operates a cloud kitchen platform in Egypt, serving as an infrastructure provider for the country's extensive food and beverage industry, which comprises approximately 400,000 restaurants. The company offers a comprehensive range of services designed to enhance restaurant operations and expand their market reach. By managing shared kitchen facilities, The Food Lab streamlines processes such as ingredient procurement, order aggregation, food preparation, and delivery. This integrated approach allows restaurants to centralize their operational data within a single platform, enabling them to focus on building their brand equity while improving overall efficiency.

Kwara

Seed Round in 2021
Kwara GmbH is a Berlin-based company that specializes in providing a digital banking platform specifically designed for savings and credit co-operative societies (SACCOs). Founded in 2018, Kwara's cloud-based platform facilitates loan application servicing and approval for members, along with offering integration services, customer support, real-time financial tracking, and compliance services. The company also features Kwara Pronto, a tool for loans management. With a presence in Nairobi, Kenya, Kwara has successfully transformed over 200 SACCOs into modern digital financial institutions across Kenya, South Africa, and the Philippines, enhancing their operational efficiency and financial inclusion through its advanced core banking system and mobile banking experience.

Eden Life

Seed Round in 2021
Eden Life, Inc. is a technology-enabled service provider based in Lagos, Nigeria, that specializes in housekeeping and related services for busy individuals. The company simplifies household management by offering a variety of services, including laundry, meal preparation, cleaning, equipment maintenance, and beauty services. Eden Life operates through an online platform and a mobile application, allowing users to conveniently book and access these services. Additionally, the company creates a diverse marketplace by partnering with various vendors, ensuring that customers can meet their household needs efficiently in both Nigeria and Kenya.

Releaf

Seed Round in 2021
Releaf is a Nigerian company founded in 2017 that operates as an online marketplace connecting agribusiness buyers and sellers. It focuses on sourcing ingredients for African food factories, including cassava, palm oil, ginger, and maize, among others. Releaf aims to create climate-adaptive supply chains in response to the continent's growing population. The firm provides extension services to smallholder farmers, acting as a buyer and streamlining the conversion of raw materials into factory-grade inputs for vegetable oil production. By leveraging digital technologies such as USSD and open banking, along with proprietary machinery, Releaf collaborates with over 2,000 smallholder farmers, facilitating the supply of high-quality palm kernel nuts to food factories. This approach not only enhances operational efficiency for food manufacturers but also supports the economic development of small agricultural startups.

Medsaf

Seed Round in 2021
Medsaf is a pharmaceutical platform based in Lagos, Nigeria, that facilitates the delivery of medications to hospitals, pharmacies, and clinics. Founded in 2014, the company offers a wide range of products, including antacids, antiviral drugs, anaemia treatments, antiseptics, and vitamins. Medsaf aims to enhance the accessibility of affordable, quality medications through an integrated suite of technologies designed to improve efficiency and transparency in the supply chain. Its services include online product distribution, quality control as a service, and a marketplace that connects healthcare providers with vetted suppliers and logistics partners. Additionally, Medsaf features an embedded finance platform that provides buy-now-pay-later solutions for medication procurement, streamlining the financial aspects of the pharmaceutical supply process.

Medsaf

Seed Round in 2021
Medsaf is a pharmaceutical platform based in Lagos, Nigeria, that facilitates the delivery of medications to hospitals, pharmacies, and clinics. Founded in 2014, the company offers a wide range of products, including antacids, antiviral drugs, anaemia treatments, antiseptics, and vitamins. Medsaf aims to enhance the accessibility of affordable, quality medications through an integrated suite of technologies designed to improve efficiency and transparency in the supply chain. Its services include online product distribution, quality control as a service, and a marketplace that connects healthcare providers with vetted suppliers and logistics partners. Additionally, Medsaf features an embedded finance platform that provides buy-now-pay-later solutions for medication procurement, streamlining the financial aspects of the pharmaceutical supply process.

Shyft Power Solutions

Seed Round in 2021
SHYFT builds industrial-grade IoT and integrated software to connect and intelligently manage distributed energy resources (DERs) in markets that struggle with resiliency. SHYFT is pioneering the development of integrated decentralized power systems in emerging markets like Nigeria, leapfrogging over traditional central infrastructure and enabling DERs to scale and support existing but unreliable grids.

FMG

Seed Round in 2020
FMG Inc. is a financial services firm based in Chiyoda, Japan, that specializes in fleet management services. Established in 2020, the company focuses on organizing drivers and facilitating the direct lending of used cars to them. FMG also develops a platform aimed at local drivers, providing essential fleet management tools and credit information. While the firm operates in stealth mode, it aims to enhance transparency in the used car market, particularly targeting African countries.

Evolve Credit

Seed Round in 2020
Evolve Credit Limited operates a platform designed to enhance financial accessibility and transparency for consumers in Africa. Established in 2020 and based in Lagos, Nigeria, the company enables users to compare a variety of loan products, including personal loans and business loans, based on price, interest rates, and terms. Its platform also features expert reviews and personalized recommendations, helping users select the most suitable financial options for their needs. In addition to serving individuals, Evolve Credit provides solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises, addressing a broad spectrum of lending requirements. The company's goal is to streamline the loan application process while promoting inclusivity in financial services.

Eden Life

Seed Round in 2020
Eden Life, Inc. is a technology-enabled service provider based in Lagos, Nigeria, that specializes in housekeeping and related services for busy individuals. The company simplifies household management by offering a variety of services, including laundry, meal preparation, cleaning, equipment maintenance, and beauty services. Eden Life operates through an online platform and a mobile application, allowing users to conveniently book and access these services. Additionally, the company creates a diverse marketplace by partnering with various vendors, ensuring that customers can meet their household needs efficiently in both Nigeria and Kenya.

HAKKI AFRICA

Angel Round in 2020
HAKKI AFRICA Co., Ltd. is a microfinance company based in Kamakura, Japan, with a focus on providing small business loans to small and medium-sized enterprises in emerging markets, particularly in Kenya. Founded in 2018, the company aims to foster independence among local businesses by offering financial support and creating sustainable systems. HAKKI AFRICA develops credit scoring technology and APIs for credit as a service, catering to the needs of microfinance institutions and gig workers in Africa. Through its services, the company facilitates access to short-term and small-size loans, enabling businesses to secure the funding necessary for their operations and growth.

Africa Incubator

Series A in 2018
Africa Incubator (Afri-inc) is an IT company that specializes in developing mobile applications for sales management. It has developed and operated SENRI, a sales management system for manufacturing and distribution in Africa based in Nairobi, Kenya. As of 2018, SENRI is being used by about 50 manufacturing and logistics companies focusing on consumer goods. With the introduction of SENRI, more than 50 Africa-based companies have succeeded in increasing sales productivity. Afri-inc was established in 2015 by Kentaro Nagai.
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