Novastar Ventures

BasiGo is an e-mobility start-up focused on transforming public transportation in Kenya and Rwanda by providing electric buses as a cost-effective alternative to diesel. The company employs a pay-as-you-go model, which simplifies the transition for bus operators by including maintenance and battery charging in the financing plan. BasiGo's electric buses are designed to operate throughout the day on a single charge, utilizing proven and safe battery technology. This approach not only addresses the rising costs of diesel fuel but also aims to make electric buses affordable and accessible to all bus owners, thereby promoting sustainable and efficient public transport solutions in the region.

BasiGo is an e-mobility start-up focused on transforming public transportation in Kenya and Rwanda by providing electric buses as a cost-effective alternative to diesel. The company employs a pay-as-you-go model, which simplifies the transition for bus operators by including maintenance and battery charging in the financing plan. BasiGo's electric buses are designed to operate throughout the day on a single charge, utilizing proven and safe battery technology. This approach not only addresses the rising costs of diesel fuel but also aims to make electric buses affordable and accessible to all bus owners, thereby promoting sustainable and efficient public transport solutions in the region.

iProcure Ltd operates a supply chain platform focused on optimizing the agricultural input supply chain in rural Africa, particularly in Kenya. Founded in 2012 and based in Nairobi, the company provides a comprehensive solution that combines business intelligence, data-driven stock management, and an efficient procurement and distribution system. Its web and mobile technology enables agriculture retailers to manage ordering, inventory, and point-of-sale operations while analyzing client profiles and purchasing patterns. This platform enhances retailers' ability to predict demand and improve inventory management, ultimately streamlining distribution and enhancing customer service. Additionally, iProcure offers warehousing and storage facilities, ensuring that products reach the end consumer effectively.

Moniepoint is a financial technology company that offers a comprehensive digital banking and payment ecosystem tailored for small and medium-sized businesses. The platform provides a range of services, including payment processing, credit access, and business management tools. Moniepoint enables businesses to create accounts and accept payments through various offline and online channels, facilitating efficient financial management. By integrating banking solutions with essential business tools, Moniepoint supports organizations in managing their finances and accessing the resources necessary for growth.

BasiGo is an e-mobility start-up focused on transforming public transportation in Kenya and Rwanda by providing electric buses as a cost-effective alternative to diesel. The company employs a pay-as-you-go model, which simplifies the transition for bus operators by including maintenance and battery charging in the financing plan. BasiGo's electric buses are designed to operate throughout the day on a single charge, utilizing proven and safe battery technology. This approach not only addresses the rising costs of diesel fuel but also aims to make electric buses affordable and accessible to all bus owners, thereby promoting sustainable and efficient public transport solutions in the region.

Poa Internet Ltd. is a telecommunications company based in Nairobi, Kenya, founded in 2015. It specializes in providing low-cost internet services to individuals and small businesses in low-income neighborhoods, particularly in areas like Kibera and Kwangware. The company offers affordable and reliable internet access that is significantly cheaper than traditional network operators. Poa's services are delivered through a Wi-Fi network that covers entire neighborhoods, allowing users to connect with any Wi-Fi-enabled device at any time. Unique to Poa is its transparent pricing model, which includes data bundles without time limitations, as well as free content and online tools such as job boards and marketplaces. By focusing on underserved communities, Poa Internet aims to enhance access to education, trade, and social inclusion while ensuring improved quality of internet connections at accessible prices.

TradeDepot Inc. is a technology-driven distribution platform based in Lagos, Nigeria, founded in 2016. The company aims to revolutionize the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector in Africa by connecting top consumer goods companies directly with retailers. TradeDepot's SaaS platform offers features such as predictive trade intelligence, real-time stock level access, and the ability to place bulk orders online. It also enables the auto-generation of sales promotions, helping to enhance sales and streamline operations. By focusing on improving the distribution of food, beverages, and personal care products, TradeDepot seeks to build the largest retail distribution network in Africa and improve the livelihoods of retail store owners. The company also has an office in Wilmington, Delaware, reflecting its commitment to expanding its reach and impact.

Moniepoint is a financial technology company that offers a comprehensive digital banking and payment ecosystem tailored for small and medium-sized businesses. The platform provides a range of services, including payment processing, credit access, and business management tools. Moniepoint enables businesses to create accounts and accept payments through various offline and online channels, facilitating efficient financial management. By integrating banking solutions with essential business tools, Moniepoint supports organizations in managing their finances and accessing the resources necessary for growth.

iProcure Ltd operates a supply chain platform focused on optimizing the agricultural input supply chain in rural Africa, particularly in Kenya. Founded in 2012 and based in Nairobi, the company provides a comprehensive solution that combines business intelligence, data-driven stock management, and an efficient procurement and distribution system. Its web and mobile technology enables agriculture retailers to manage ordering, inventory, and point-of-sale operations while analyzing client profiles and purchasing patterns. This platform enhances retailers' ability to predict demand and improve inventory management, ultimately streamlining distribution and enhancing customer service. Additionally, iProcure offers warehousing and storage facilities, ensuring that products reach the end consumer effectively.

Soko, Inc. is a Kenyan-based company that operates an online platform for handcrafted jewelry and accessories, offering a range of products including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings. Founded in 2011 and formerly known as SasaAfrica, Soko connects over 2,300 independent artisans across Kenya to the global marketplace through its innovative mobile technology. This approach creates a demand-responsive virtual factory that allows artisans to earn significantly more than the average Kenyan workshop. The company is committed to social impact and economic opportunity, particularly for marginalized communities. With a business model that emphasizes empowerment over displacement, Soko has achieved BCorp certification, which further distinguishes it from competitors and appeals to socially conscious consumers, particularly Millennials and Gen Z.

iProcure Ltd operates a supply chain platform focused on optimizing the agricultural input supply chain in rural Africa, particularly in Kenya. Founded in 2012 and based in Nairobi, the company provides a comprehensive solution that combines business intelligence, data-driven stock management, and an efficient procurement and distribution system. Its web and mobile technology enables agriculture retailers to manage ordering, inventory, and point-of-sale operations while analyzing client profiles and purchasing patterns. This platform enhances retailers' ability to predict demand and improve inventory management, ultimately streamlining distribution and enhancing customer service. Additionally, iProcure offers warehousing and storage facilities, ensuring that products reach the end consumer effectively.

Poa Internet Ltd. is a telecommunications company based in Nairobi, Kenya, founded in 2015. It specializes in providing low-cost internet services to individuals and small businesses in low-income neighborhoods, particularly in areas like Kibera and Kwangware. The company offers affordable and reliable internet access that is significantly cheaper than traditional network operators. Poa's services are delivered through a Wi-Fi network that covers entire neighborhoods, allowing users to connect with any Wi-Fi-enabled device at any time. Unique to Poa is its transparent pricing model, which includes data bundles without time limitations, as well as free content and online tools such as job boards and marketplaces. By focusing on underserved communities, Poa Internet aims to enhance access to education, trade, and social inclusion while ensuring improved quality of internet connections at accessible prices.

iProcure Ltd operates a supply chain platform focused on optimizing the agricultural input supply chain in rural Africa, particularly in Kenya. Founded in 2012 and based in Nairobi, the company provides a comprehensive solution that combines business intelligence, data-driven stock management, and an efficient procurement and distribution system. Its web and mobile technology enables agriculture retailers to manage ordering, inventory, and point-of-sale operations while analyzing client profiles and purchasing patterns. This platform enhances retailers' ability to predict demand and improve inventory management, ultimately streamlining distribution and enhancing customer service. Additionally, iProcure offers warehousing and storage facilities, ensuring that products reach the end consumer effectively.

Poa Internet Ltd. is a telecommunications company based in Nairobi, Kenya, founded in 2015. It specializes in providing low-cost internet services to individuals and small businesses in low-income neighborhoods, particularly in areas like Kibera and Kwangware. The company offers affordable and reliable internet access that is significantly cheaper than traditional network operators. Poa's services are delivered through a Wi-Fi network that covers entire neighborhoods, allowing users to connect with any Wi-Fi-enabled device at any time. Unique to Poa is its transparent pricing model, which includes data bundles without time limitations, as well as free content and online tools such as job boards and marketplaces. By focusing on underserved communities, Poa Internet aims to enhance access to education, trade, and social inclusion while ensuring improved quality of internet connections at accessible prices.

Sanergy, Inc. is dedicated to enhancing sanitation infrastructure in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. The company aims to provide accessible and hygienic sanitation facilities by establishing a network of low-cost sanitation centers that include toilets and hot showers. These centers are franchised to local entrepreneurs with support from microfinance institutions. Sanergy also implements a waste collection system, where human waste is safely removed and transported to a central processing facility. At this facility, the waste undergoes anaerobic digestion to produce biogas, which is converted into electricity for sale to the national grid, and organic fertilizers, which are marketed to commercial farms and smallholder farmers. By creating a sustainable sanitation cycle, Sanergy promotes the fundamental right to sanitation and improves living conditions for residents in urban areas lacking sewer infrastructure. The company was founded in 2010 and operates from Atlanta, Georgia.

Soko, Inc. is a Kenyan-based company that operates an online platform for handcrafted jewelry and accessories, offering a range of products including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings. Founded in 2011 and formerly known as SasaAfrica, Soko connects over 2,300 independent artisans across Kenya to the global marketplace through its innovative mobile technology. This approach creates a demand-responsive virtual factory that allows artisans to earn significantly more than the average Kenyan workshop. The company is committed to social impact and economic opportunity, particularly for marginalized communities. With a business model that emphasizes empowerment over displacement, Soko has achieved BCorp certification, which further distinguishes it from competitors and appeals to socially conscious consumers, particularly Millennials and Gen Z.

Poa Internet Ltd. is a telecommunications company based in Nairobi, Kenya, founded in 2015. It specializes in providing low-cost internet services to individuals and small businesses in low-income neighborhoods, particularly in areas like Kibera and Kwangware. The company offers affordable and reliable internet access that is significantly cheaper than traditional network operators. Poa's services are delivered through a Wi-Fi network that covers entire neighborhoods, allowing users to connect with any Wi-Fi-enabled device at any time. Unique to Poa is its transparent pricing model, which includes data bundles without time limitations, as well as free content and online tools such as job boards and marketplaces. By focusing on underserved communities, Poa Internet aims to enhance access to education, trade, and social inclusion while ensuring improved quality of internet connections at accessible prices.

Sanergy, Inc. is dedicated to enhancing sanitation infrastructure in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya. The company aims to provide accessible and hygienic sanitation facilities by establishing a network of low-cost sanitation centers that include toilets and hot showers. These centers are franchised to local entrepreneurs with support from microfinance institutions. Sanergy also implements a waste collection system, where human waste is safely removed and transported to a central processing facility. At this facility, the waste undergoes anaerobic digestion to produce biogas, which is converted into electricity for sale to the national grid, and organic fertilizers, which are marketed to commercial farms and smallholder farmers. By creating a sustainable sanitation cycle, Sanergy promotes the fundamental right to sanitation and improves living conditions for residents in urban areas lacking sewer infrastructure. The company was founded in 2010 and operates from Atlanta, Georgia.

At Hivisasa, we believe that societies function best when information flows freely among people. This is why we've created Africa’s first crowdsourced news site. Our innovative platform allows you not just to discover untold stories but also to write your own. Born five years ago, Hivisasa now reaches over two million Kenyan readers a month, whose engagement helps support 1,500+ pioneering local writers. And we are just getting started. As a Kenyan company, community is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to fostering understanding, championing accountability and supporting collective action through local news. All Hivisasa editors are local and proud to collaborate with writers from all walks of life to bring you the news you need to stay ahead.

M-Farm connects smallholder African farmers with urban and export markets via SMS and a web-enabled marketplace. M-Farm negotiates with buyers to create demand and assures quality through its network of agents. This motivates smallholder farmers to move beyond subsistence and into cash crops that can feed Africa and the world. Out of 5 million households in Kenya, 4 million are smallholder farmers, representing 24 million people. They lack access to market urban or export markets and thus either are exploited by middlemen or have little motivation to grow cash crops. Farm inputs that might increase crop yield are costly, as they live on less than $2 a day. M-Farm offers value to both suppliers and buyers. The farmers are motivated to grow crops for guaranteed buyers at favorable market prices. M-Farm Agents further elevate product quality and crop yields through training on good agricultural practices and discounts on inputs. Buyers access a new source of supply, primarily organic, to meet growing urban and international demand. They receive high quality produce, supply chain transparency, and pre-negotiated prices that cushion them from price fluctuations.

Soko, Inc. is a Kenyan-based company that operates an online platform for handcrafted jewelry and accessories, offering a range of products including necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings. Founded in 2011 and formerly known as SasaAfrica, Soko connects over 2,300 independent artisans across Kenya to the global marketplace through its innovative mobile technology. This approach creates a demand-responsive virtual factory that allows artisans to earn significantly more than the average Kenyan workshop. The company is committed to social impact and economic opportunity, particularly for marginalized communities. With a business model that emphasizes empowerment over displacement, Soko has achieved BCorp certification, which further distinguishes it from competitors and appeals to socially conscious consumers, particularly Millennials and Gen Z.

SolarNow is a company that provides solar energy solutions and financing in East Africa, particularly through its operations in Uganda and Kenya. Founded in 2011 by Willem Nolens and headquartered in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, SolarNow focuses on delivering solar home systems, electrical appliances, and tailored power solutions for rural and urban households, small businesses, farmers, and institutions. The company aims to meet the growing demand for clean and affordable energy by offering high-quality, reliable solar products, along with flexible credit options that enable customers to access these essential services. Through its comprehensive approach, SolarNow addresses the energy needs of various sectors while promoting sustainable energy use in the region.

M-Farm connects smallholder African farmers with urban and export markets via SMS and a web-enabled marketplace. M-Farm negotiates with buyers to create demand and assures quality through its network of agents. This motivates smallholder farmers to move beyond subsistence and into cash crops that can feed Africa and the world. Out of 5 million households in Kenya, 4 million are smallholder farmers, representing 24 million people. They lack access to market urban or export markets and thus either are exploited by middlemen or have little motivation to grow cash crops. Farm inputs that might increase crop yield are costly, as they live on less than $2 a day. M-Farm offers value to both suppliers and buyers. The farmers are motivated to grow crops for guaranteed buyers at favorable market prices. M-Farm Agents further elevate product quality and crop yields through training on good agricultural practices and discounts on inputs. Buyers access a new source of supply, primarily organic, to meet growing urban and international demand. They receive high quality produce, supply chain transparency, and pre-negotiated prices that cushion them from price fluctuations.