Tappi, a Kenyan startup dedicated to assisting SMEs in establishing their online presence via a chat tool that automatically generates webpages, has successfully raised $1.5 million in an oversubscribed pre-seed funding round. The funds will support Tappi’s mission to digitize and enhance online trust for African SMEs.
Co-founded by Kenfield Griffith and Louis Majanja, tappi offers SME owners a user-friendly app to customize their online presence, facilitating promotion through a streamlined process spanning Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and Instagram Ads, using airtime credit or mobile money.
In a recent oversubscribed pre-seed funding round, tappi secured $1.5 million, with Mercy Corps Ventures and Chui Ventures leading the investment, and participation from notable entities such as Digital Currency Group, SOSV, Resilience17, growX ventures, Orbit Startups, and Reflect Ventures. Angel investors and advisors from global tech giants, including Google, Salesforce, Zendesk, and the financial sector, also contributed to the round.
Tappi’s end-to-end digital commerce SaaS solution has successfully garnered verified reviews from $3 million consumer transactions and engaged with over 150,000 consumers. With the new funding, tappi is poised to strengthen its presence in existing markets by establishing a robust sales force, leveraging its impressive 90% retention rate. The startup also plans to form strategic partnerships, building on its current association with MTN Nigeria, where it has witnessed a remarkable 19% month-on-month growth in business ads and business data bundle subscriptions. Additionally, funds will be allocated to talent acquisition and overall brand enhancement.
We are grateful to be supported by great investors who share our vision and the mission to address the untapped potential within Africa’s informal SME markets.
Kenfield Griffith stated
Expressing gratitude for the support, Kenfield Griffith stated, “We are grateful to be supported by great investors who share our vision and the mission to address the untapped potential within Africa’s informal SME markets, particularly in overlooked service industries such as food services, fashion, agriculture, health, and beauty. We are eager to empower SMEs across Africa by providing them with a trusted identity online to find customers. The current investment will support our mission to make inroads with our customers through direct sales and partnerships across the continent.
