10-Mar-2023
Comms and PR team, GHC

Background story

Pezesha is a Kenyan fintech startup founded by Hilda Moraa that connects micro-entrepreneurs with investors through its online platform. The company aims to provide access to financial services and support to underbanked and underserved small businesses in Kenya.

In 2016, we invested in Pezesha with seed funding to develop its technology platform and expand its operations.

When Pezesha was first launched, it was a small startup with a limited customer base and a narrow focus. However, with the help of Hilda Moraa’s leadership and vision, the company was able to grow rapidly and expand its reach.

Why we invested

Beyond the product being a strong and viable solution, we invested in Pezesha for two main reasons: First was the passion and tenacity of the founder – Hildaa Moraa, who had previously built and sold a business in the same space and second was the traction they had achieved within a short period.

At the point of investing, the business had facilitated over 80,000 loans on the platform, with about $2 million in transaction volume and over 3,000 lenders in the marketplace. It was also operational in about 3 African countries at the time.

How we worked with them

Our work with Pezesha has been multi-fold; they have provided financial support, strategic advice, and mentorship to help Pezesha navigate the market and scale its operations. In addition, we have been instrumental in assisting Pezesha in building its team, developing its go-to-market strategy, and raising additional funding from other investors.

How has it helped

The investment in Pezesha is an excellent example of how venture capital can support early-stage startups in Africa and help them to overcome challenges and achieve their potential. We are proud to have been part of a journey that has been instrumental in Pezesha’s growth and impact, helping thousands of micro-entrepreneurs’ access loans and investment opportunities, enabling them to grow their businesses and improve their livelihoods.