THE LOOP; Unleashing frontier Opportunities #ThefrontierSpecialists

At Greenhouse Capital, our mission is to identify and invest in promising ventures that have the potential to make a real impact. One such jewel in our portfolio is Tanda, a company quietly reshaping the financial landscape for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Kenya. Led by founder Geoffry Mulei since 2017, Tanda's?significance lies in its unique approach to digital financial services. Rather than aiming to be the biggest player, Tanda focuses on being the most effective one, catering specifically to the needs of MSMEs.

Why we Invested

What caught our attention at Greenhouse Capital was Tanda's differentiated product offering. In a market dominated by financial heavyweights, Tanda stands out by addressing the crucial issue of limited financial access in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its cost-effective infrastructure and low-entry barriers make it an attractive option for agents, setting it apart from larger competitors like Equity Bank, Safaricom (M-Pesa), KCB Bank (KCB M-Pesa), Co-operative Bank (Co-op Kwa Jirani), and Standard Chartered Bank (SC M-Pesa).

Tanda's strength lies not just in its product but in its team. Under the leadership of CEO Geoffry, Tanda boasts a diverse team with expertise ranging from the Central Bank of Kenya to regulatory compliance, digital marketing, agency networks, and market development. This well-rounded team forms the backbone of Tanda's success and aligns perfectly with our investment philosophy at Greenhouse Capital.

While M-Pesa may be a strong competition?in the mobile money services arena, Tanda carves its niche by focusing on the unique needs of merchants. The all-in-one app provided by Tanda facilitates business management and growth, offering various payment methods, including integration with M-Pesa, and providing access to crucial loans. In the vast MSME market, Tanda's B2B focus positions it as a valuable partner, supporting merchants in their journey toward growth.

Our investment in Tanda in 2021 was a strategic move, recognizing the company's potential to bring about meaningful change in the financial landscape for MSMEs in Kenya. As Tanda continues to evolve and grow, we are proud to be part of the journey, working together to empower businesses and drive positive change.

We had the pleasure of co-hosting 70 global investors at the Investor Summit in Kampala, Uganda, held during the Annual National Science Week. Segun Cole and Lucrece Dossou had the opportunity to connect with several investors, and here's a glimpse of what they shared about the event.

Watch the insightful interviews and highlights from the Investor Summit by clicking this link: Investor Summit Recap.

In case you missed the event, don't worry! Our partner Kunmi has compiled a comprehensive National Science Week recap. I'd like you to please catch all the exciting moments and key takeaways here: National Science Week Recap. Also, enjoy the star-studded panel discussions featuring some of the most prominent investors and fund managers across the globe?The panel sessions.

Global Tech Africa

Our partner and founder of Venture Garden Group (VGG) Bunmi Akinyemiju, participated in the Global Tech Africa conference in Lagos, where Venture Garden Group was also a partner. Akinyemiju led a panel session on "Enhancing Liquidity in Emerging Markets," sharing insights with Dr. Stanley Jacob of Stanbic IBTC and Maya Horgan Famodu, Managing Partner at Ingressive Capital. During the conference, Bunmi?emphasized the importance of collaboration between the private sector and government agencies to drive technological innovation and investment. The U.S. Council General, Will Stevens, expressed the United States' commitment to bilateral trade with Nigeria and collaboration in harnessing the potential of the Nigerian tech ecosystem. The conference highlighted the need for a framework to address the challenges posed by AI technology. The event also focused on digital transformation, discussing the significance of digitalization and unlimited connectivity in driving productivity and innovation. The conference concluded with a call for increased collaboration to build a robust digital economy in Nigeria and across Africa.

ICYMI, here's what we're reading:

• How venture capital works
• Q4’22 Venture Pulse Report – Global trends

Uqudo

Uqudo verifies the National ID card in Turkey! Congratulations to the entire Uqudo team.

Yellow Card

Yellow Card bags award as AFIS (Africa Financial Industry Summit 2023 Awards) Disrupter of the Year Award.

Bfree

Bfree partners with Union Bank of Nigeria to explore innovative solutions in refinancing non-performing loans.

Zone

Zone has emerged as the 'Best Fintech Company' at this year's version of the esteemed Africa Tech Alliance Excellence (ATAEx) Awards. Congratulations to the entire Zone family! ?#WeAreZone #ConnectToTheFuture.