Seedstars

Seedstars is an accelerator and investment firm based in Geneva, Switzerland, founded in 2012. It supports startups in emerging and frontier markets across Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, and Asia, backing ventures that address financial services, healthcare, education, and commerce through accelerator programs and early-stage investments.

Paul Ark

Venture Partner

Michael Weber

Managing Partner

Past deals in East Africa

Jumba

Seed Round in 2023
Jumba is a construction technology platform based in Nairobi, Kenya, established in 2022, that streamlines B2B procurement of construction materials and financing. The platform allows hardware stores and construction firms to order a wide range of materials (cement, steel, paint, tiles, plumbing, electrical components, glass, kitchen and bathroom finishes) and to pay later. It aggregates materials from multiple suppliers, manages logistics and financing, and provides transparent pricing, quality control, and efficient delivery options. By offering a dependable sourcing channel and consolidated procurement, Jumba aims to help projects stay on budget and on schedule.

Zuri Health

Grant in 2022
Founded in 2020, Zuri Health is a Kenyan telemedicine company offering affordable healthcare solutions via apps, websites, and SMS. It facilitates lab tests, doctor consultations, medication delivery, and home visits.

Kiri EV

Grant in 2022
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

Pre Seed Round in 2022
Jumba is a construction technology platform based in Nairobi, Kenya, established in 2022, that streamlines B2B procurement of construction materials and financing. The platform allows hardware stores and construction firms to order a wide range of materials (cement, steel, paint, tiles, plumbing, electrical components, glass, kitchen and bathroom finishes) and to pay later. It aggregates materials from multiple suppliers, manages logistics and financing, and provides transparent pricing, quality control, and efficient delivery options. By offering a dependable sourcing channel and consolidated procurement, Jumba aims to help projects stay on budget and on schedule.

ZUMI

Venture Round in 2021
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

Grant in 2021
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.

Pezesha

Seed Round in 2020
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.

ZUMI

Seed Round in 2019
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.

Jamii Africa

Seed Round in 2016
Jamii Africa is a provider of mobile micro-health insurance tailored for the informal sector and low-income individuals. The company has developed a mobile policy management platform that automates 99% of insurance administration tasks, significantly reducing operational costs. Through strategic partnerships with an insurer and a telecommunications provider, Jamii Africa facilitates cashless transactions for premium collections and benefit payouts using mobile money platforms. Their insurance offerings include a variety of policies designed to provide access to numerous hospitals, ensuring that clients receive affordable health coverage that meets their specific needs. By streamlining processes and leveraging technology, Jamii Africa aims to make low-cost health insurance more accessible to underserved populations.

Jamii Africa

Seed Round in 2013
Jamii Africa is a provider of mobile micro-health insurance tailored for the informal sector and low-income individuals. The company has developed a mobile policy management platform that automates 99% of insurance administration tasks, significantly reducing operational costs. Through strategic partnerships with an insurer and a telecommunications provider, Jamii Africa facilitates cashless transactions for premium collections and benefit payouts using mobile money platforms. Their insurance offerings include a variety of policies designed to provide access to numerous hospitals, ensuring that clients receive affordable health coverage that meets their specific needs. By streamlining processes and leveraging technology, Jamii Africa aims to make low-cost health insurance more accessible to underserved populations.
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