Seedstars

Agel is a company focused on transforming the financial services landscape for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by providing a B2B payment platform that offers alternative financing options. Its primary objective is to facilitate and streamline transactions between wholesale and retail merchants, allowing them to access industry-agnostic merchandise credit limits. Agel's services are designed to be digital, cashless, and compliant with Sharia law, thus promoting financial inclusion and sustainability in alignment with the UN Global Sustainable Development Goals and Egypt’s 2030 vision. The company's initiatives aim to empower MSMEs, enhance financial literacy, eradicate the informal economy, and accelerate overall growth in the sector.

Jumba is a construction technology platform based in Nairobi, Kenya, established in 2022. The company focuses on optimizing B2B construction material purchases and financing, serving as a vital link between manufacturers and retailers. Its platform allows businesses to order a range of materials, including cement, steel, paint, tiles, plumbing, electrical supplies, and finishes for kitchens and bathrooms, with the option to pay later. By connecting small hardware stores with medium-sized retailers in their vicinity, Jumba facilitates inventory updates and streamlines the construction supply chain in Africa, making the procurement process more efficient for hardware retail establishments.

Zuri Health is a telemedicine company based in Nairobi, Kenya, established in 2020. It aims to provide affordable and accessible healthcare solutions through its app, website, and SMS services. The platform allows patients to schedule lab and diagnostic tests, consult with doctors via chat, purchase medications from pharmacies, and arrange home visits with qualified medical professionals. Zuri Health also employs an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot to enhance user experience. By catering to individuals without smartphones and those in rural or underserved areas, the company strives to ensure that healthcare is universally accessible, thereby addressing gaps in the traditional healthcare system.

Kiri EV is a manufacturer of electric vehicles and charging systems focused on the Kenyan and East African markets. The company offers a range of products, including electric scooters, motorcycles, auto rickshaws, and carriers, featuring advanced technologies such as direct current motors, antilock braking systems, customizable options, removable batteries, and silent operation. Kiri EV aims to challenge the conventional automotive industry in Africa by demonstrating the potential of electric vehicles to transform transportation across the continent. Through their innovative offerings, the company seeks to make electric mobility accessible and affordable for customers, thus playing a significant role in the future of transportation in the region.

Jumba is a construction technology platform based in Nairobi, Kenya, established in 2022. The company focuses on optimizing B2B construction material purchases and financing, serving as a vital link between manufacturers and retailers. Its platform allows businesses to order a range of materials, including cement, steel, paint, tiles, plumbing, electrical supplies, and finishes for kitchens and bathrooms, with the option to pay later. By connecting small hardware stores with medium-sized retailers in their vicinity, Jumba facilitates inventory updates and streamlines the construction supply chain in Africa, making the procurement process more efficient for hardware retail establishments.

ZUMI is a Kenyan company founded in 2016 that operates an online platform designed to connect wholesalers and retailers in the fashion and beauty sectors. Based in Nairobi, ZUMI empowers retailers, particularly women entrepreneurs, by providing essential technology, logistics, and financial services to help them scale their businesses. The platform facilitates a transparent and affordable marketplace where customers can place orders through SMS, phone calls, or via ZUMI Agents. Each morning, ZUMI collects orders from suppliers, and its logistics partners ensure delivery within 18 hours, allowing customers to pay conveniently using mobile money. Through its innovative approach, ZUMI aims to enhance the retail experience and improve access to products for its users.

Mangwee is a mobile money transfer platform focused on enhancing financial inclusion, particularly in rural areas of Zambia and Africa. The company offers a secure and affordable payment solution that aims to facilitate a cash-light economy. Beyond basic money transfers, Mangwee has developed an ecosystem of applications designed to improve the lives of various demographics, including women, farmers, youths, and the economically disadvantaged. Additionally, the platform features an electronic wallet service tailored for university students, which aims to reduce the cost of mobile money transactions and enables users to transfer funds conveniently via their mobile phones at any time and from any location.

Dryve is Egypt’s first and leading marketplace connecting car owners with individuals and businesses seeking mobility solutions. Launched in 2018, the company allows car owners to earn additional income by lending their vehicles while providing renters access to a diverse fleet of over 3,500 cars, significantly surpassing traditional rental services. Dryve offers both car rentals for various occasions and a premium limo-hailing service called Ryde, which provides customizable chauffeured transportation. To enhance its offerings, Dryve has partnered with Allianz to introduce innovative insurance options, including a unique 'Pay As You Drive' policy and a digital claims process, marking a significant advancement in the region's car rental market. The platform prioritizes safety and convenience, catering to users' needs whether they require a vehicle for a weekend trip or regular transportation.

Pezesha is a digital financial marketplace based in Nairobi, Kenya, founded in 2016. The company focuses on connecting small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to various financial resources, including working capital, float financing, and LPO financing. By leveraging credit and data analytics, Pezesha facilitates affordable credit options for underserved micro-businesses, enabling them to access the formal financial system. The platform serves as a bridge between lenders and low-income borrowers, promoting a shared economy and broadening financial access for SMBs. Through its innovative approach, Pezesha aims to be a leading player in Africa's digital financial landscape, enhancing the growth potential of small businesses across the region.

Shezlong is an online mental health platform based in Cairo, Egypt, established in 2014. It is recognized as the first and largest online psychotherapy service targeting Arabic-speaking individuals, primarily in the MENA region but also serving clients in over 85 countries worldwide. The platform connects users with licensed therapists through video sessions, ensuring privacy and convenience. Shezlong offers a comprehensive range of services, including access to informative blogs, psychometric assessments, and personalized therapist recommendations, all designed to support users in their mental wellness journey. With a network of over 350 therapists, Shezlong aims to empower both clients and mental health professionals, making professional counseling accessible and integrated into users' daily lives.

Taskty.com is an online marketplace based in Egypt that connects users with individuals and service agencies to fulfill various short-term tasks for both home and business. Founded in 2012, the platform offers a diverse range of services, including translation, copywriting, graphic design, event photography, house maintenance, and private nursing. Additionally, Taskty provides access to a variety of household services, such as housekeeping, pest control, plumbing, carpentry, and electrical work, allowing customers to select providers based on their specific needs and budget.

7keema is a home-based nursing services provider based in Nasr City, Egypt, founded in 2017. The company specializes in offering a wide range of nursing services, including basic care, post-intensive care, hospice care, elderly care, and post-pregnancy support. It also addresses specific needs such as catheter care, wound care, child care, and vaccinations for children. 7keema emphasizes quick, safe, and efficient service delivery, ensuring that patients receive professional care tailored to their individual needs. In addition to its nursing services, the company is developing a home nursing application to enhance service accessibility and efficiency.

BeneFactors Ltd. is a factoring company based in Kigali City, Rwanda, established in 2017. The company specializes in providing tailored working capital solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region. BeneFactors facilitates access to immediate cash by allowing businesses to sell their future payments from buyers, such as pending invoices and purchase orders, to the company. This service helps firms maintain liquidity, enabling them to continue operations and accept new clients without being hindered by delayed payments from their buyers. Through its offerings, BeneFactors plays a vital role in supporting the growth and sustainability of SMEs in Rwanda.

ZUMI is a Kenyan company founded in 2016 that operates an online platform designed to connect wholesalers and retailers in the fashion and beauty sectors. Based in Nairobi, ZUMI empowers retailers, particularly women entrepreneurs, by providing essential technology, logistics, and financial services to help them scale their businesses. The platform facilitates a transparent and affordable marketplace where customers can place orders through SMS, phone calls, or via ZUMI Agents. Each morning, ZUMI collects orders from suppliers, and its logistics partners ensure delivery within 18 hours, allowing customers to pay conveniently using mobile money. Through its innovative approach, ZUMI aims to enhance the retail experience and improve access to products for its users.

iNuka Pap Limited is a Nairobi-based company established in 2014 that operates a mobile platform designed to provide instant financial services to members of savings and credit co-operatives (SACCOs) and microfinance institutions (MFIs) across Africa. The company's proprietary platform enables users to access short-term cash advances and other consumer services, such as prepaid electricity, airtime, and insurance. This service aims to help members address small cash emergencies quickly and conveniently, allowing them to manage their financial needs anytime and anywhere.