September Newsletter
Greenhouse Capital
We identify, invest in and accelerate the technology powering Africa's future
In the spotlight for September, we bring you Uqudo, our digital identity portfolio company dedicated to ushering in trust and transparency in our increasingly digital world. The name "Uqudo" finds its roots in the Zulu word "Uqobo," which signifies truth, reality, or self. Founded in 2019 by Mohammed Fagiri, Uqudo is on a mission to redefine?user onboarding across various sectors, including Fintech, Crypto, Banking, Insurance, Telco, and Government, making it faster, easier, and more cost-effective. With a strong presence across the Middle East and Africa, Uqudo is poised to redefine identity verification. Greenhouse Capital?is proud to be the first VC to believe in Uqudo's?dream.? Their platform encompasses everything related to digital identity? Uqudo's products vary from KYC+,?AML,?sanctions and?KYB, to authentication.?Uqudo's robust platform boasts a wide array of features, including OCR, document detection, tampering detection, NFC extraction, data validation, facial recognition, QR code onboarding, and a customer portal. These capabilities position Uqudo to deliver comprehensive verification services throughout the Middle East and Africa. Reach out to the team for a demo! They have a global reach and are continuing to expand Uqudo is currently in advanced negotiations for strategic partnerships that promise significant expansion in the UAE and Saudi markets, further strengthening its presence in the region. Uqudo already offers verification support in 38?countries, backed by enhanced infrastructure and an impressive value proposition, making it a go-to choice for digital identity solutions. Differentiation In the KYC space, there are several competitors, including startups such as Onfido, Alloy, Truework, IDnow, IDfy, and Dojah, just to name a few. However, what sets Uqudo apart in the EMEA region is its unique capability to verify identities not only in the countries where customers currently operate but also in those they intend to expand into. This forward-thinking approach firmly establishes Uqudo as the premier choice for digital identity solutions, as exemplified by its recent impact on the Oman elections.?Uqudo proudly proclaims itself as the sole digital identity company capable of verifying national ID cards and passports. According to Mohamed Fagiri, the Founder and CEO of Uqudo, "Uqudo prides itself on developing identity solutions that can be deployed and customized to comply with the regulations of every MEA country. Facilitating the recent Oman elections seamlessly aligns with our vision of creating a dependable identity platform and playing a pivotal role in the digital transformation of our region." Read this thought leadership piece we co-wrote with Uqudo to better understand how they differentiate themselves! Their achievements so far are world-class
GHC is?proud of you, Uqudo!
It's no surprise that Uqudo's growth and expansion have been remarkable. We are delighted to have been a part of this journey alongside the Uqudo team and are continuing?to strengthen our?bond with purposeful collaborations.?
Here's what the founder and CEO Mohamed Fagiri?had to say about the Greenhouse Capital team.
Attention Emerging Fund Managers!
We are?thrilled to finally unveil something we have been cooking for a while. We are pleased to announce the?launch?of our innovative VC-as-a-Service (VCaaS) platform! ??
What is the VCaaS platform??
It is a suite of services that provides comprehensive support and resources to individuals or groups who are starting or managing their own venture capital funds. It will support the emerging fund manager with everything from setting up the legal entity, advising on how to build an investment thesis, and even tackling their communications strategy to attract the right audience.
Why is this?big news for the world of emerging fund managers?
Why we initiated the VCaaS platform?
Having been there ourselves, we understand the pains and challenges of starting a fund as a first time fund manager. In fact, starting one in Africa is a different ballgame entirely. We decided that it was time to leverage the strength of our team, which holds 30 years of collective knowledge and experience in the venture space, and help the newbies in the game.?VCaaS isn't just a service; it's a testament to our dedication to leading and innovating in the VC space. We are not just participants; we're trendsetters. VCaaS is our mark of distinction in the venture capital world!
Stay tuned for more updates and inspiring success tales!
Kauffman Fellow Africa Summit, Nairobi Kenya
Oh, did we have a blast at this one or what?!?Perhaps you don't know this, but our awesome partner Ruby Nimkar, is a Kauffman Fellow?which is a prestigious program that has some of the best VC minds. Thanks to all the advocacy from investors in Africa, like our own Ruby, the Kauffman Fellow Summit was held in Africa for the first time ever!There were speeches from profound people and panel discussions?from the best in the industry. Some of our portfolio companies like Sabi, Lipa Later Group, and BuuPass - Bus, Train & Flight bookings?contributed as well. All in all, it was a great opportunity for 300+ investors from all over the world to see what Africa had to offer.?Check out our post on the event for more info!
领英推荐
The Greenhouse Capital legal team welcomed a prestigious US delegation to Vibranium Valley, our tech city hub, led by Mr. Wale Adeyemo, the US Deputy Secretary of Treasury, and the US Consulate General, alongside other distinguished members of the US consulate. The meeting focused on the state of our tech ecosystem, its trends, and growth, showcasing GHC's impactful portfolio companies like Max. ng, Get-Equity, Advancly, and Wirepay. It also addressed tech challenges and highlighted GHC's commitment to support entrepreneurs. Discussions extended to the US interventions' impact and future collaborations for ecosystem growth. This exclusive gathering exemplified GHC's dedication to tech innovation and community building.
ICYMI, here's what we're reading:
Lipa Later Group has raised KES 500 million ($5 million) in a privately placed debt issuance on?Republic,?but the company still wants to raise $20 million for expansion plans.
Yellow card has partnered with Moonpay to increase crypto accessibility in Nigeria.?Dive into the exciting collaboration that's simplifying cryptocurrency trading for Nigerians through local bank transfers, making crypto more accessible than ever.
Indicina to introduce the Custom Form Builder in Originate, a groundbreaking solution designed to empower lenders in Africa by enabling them to tailor application forms for a seamless lending experience. Read?the full gist here.
Wirepay is now in Cameroon.