Samurai Incubate a Japanese-based VC has so far invested in six African tech startups in 2021.
The VC firm was founded in 2008 in Japan but launched in 2018 in Africa and has made investments in 31 startups on the African continent till date.
Samurai Incubate secured US$18.4 million in April 2021 to continue driving its support for African tech startups
Here are the six African tech startups that have been backed so far by Samurai Incubate in 2021:
Releaf
This social venture platform was founded in 2017 to manufacture and operate proprietary food processing hardware to reduce post-harvest loss in the sustainable oil palm sector.
It offers smallholders with extension services as an off-taker of their produce, and processes the raw material into factory-grade inputs for vegetable oil factories.
Releaf utilizes digital technologies including USSD and open banking to work seamlessly with its network of over 2,000 smallholder farmers, who have supplied over 10 million kilograms of quality palm kernel nuts to food factories.
Basically, Relea is industrializing food processing in Africa to create shared prosperity starting in sustainable oil palm.
According to its website, Releaf has led over 1000 smallholder farmers to provide food factories with more than 7.5 million kilograms of quality crops in less than 18 months.
For farmers, Releaf offers three times their income, for factories it provides a steady supply of the highest quality raw materials, enabling their hard work and investment to realize a return and local employment.
For communities, Releaf means a departure from promises you hear to progress you can see and contribute to.
Medsaf
Medsaf is a curated medication marketplace for African hospitals and pharmacies. 2017.
Headquartered in the United States with a presence in Nigeria, Medsaf believes that quality medication is a fundamental human right.
The health tech startup is focused on bringing high-quality medication manufacturers directly to pharmacies and hospitals.
The platform provides hospitals and pharmacies with access to credit, inventory management and logistics. It’s a one-stop procurement service.
Pricepally
Pricepally is an online store or more like a group-buying platform that allows you to shop bulk items with your family and friends so you can enjoy deep discounts on the prices of food and daily needs.
The startup is connecting farmers, manufacturers, wholesalers directly to the consumer in an innovative way that everyone benefits.
You can shop and share your orders for your foodstuffs, groceries, meat, baby products. etc now via your social network.
Wasla Browser
This platform is the first mobile web browser that helps its users save money whenever they shop or browse online.
“Our mission is to help emerging market internet users save money online by creating access to a more affordable and personalized internet experience.”, a statement reads on its website
Wasla believes the internet should save everyone time and money, that’s why its vision is to build a platform where value is given back to everyone using the internet across emerging markets.
The startup is reimagining modern-day web browser, moving past legacy browsers and powering a mobile-first experience build from Africa, for Africa.
Wasla combines rewarding, browsing, and online shopping technologies delivered through a unique experience optimized for online shopping and content browsing.
Kwara is a digital banking platform for the Savings and Credit Co-Operative Society (SACCOs).
Based in Nairobi and Berlin, the startup is offering a secure, simple and affordable digital banking platform for savings and credit cooperatives and their members, who are often excluded by traditional banks.
Founded in 2018, the startup’s mission is to enable the world’s 3 billion underserved to become financially healthy.
Kwara is the first shared digital banking platform with a cooperative spirit.
The Food Lab
The Food Lab is a cloud kitchen platform based in Egypt
Featured Image: Samurai Incubate Founders
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