From rural Kenya to the Earthshot shortlist: Pula CEO Thomas Njeru reveals to Launch Base Africa how the profitable agtech reached 24 million farmers and why impact and profitability are not mutually exclusive.
The newest funding round - confirmed to Launch Base Africa by Verdant IMAP, the investment firm that structured and arranged the transaction - marks a significant milestone for the fintech.
"Growth at all costs will not win the day in this business cycle. Unit economics, product-market fit and clear paths to profitability are the keys to survival."
Each selected company will receive up to $225,000 in non-dilutive grant funding, as well as technical assistance and commercial support from a network of partners.
Reports from the preceding year suggested Bankly was seeking to raise USD 4 million in a mix of equity and debt, though the outcome of this fundraising effort remains uncertain.
The move comes as African nations seek to transition from consumer-driven digital innovation to science-based, IP-intensive ventures capable of solving structural challenges in energy, healthcare, agriculture, and climate resilience.
From rural Kenya to the Earthshot shortlist: Pula CEO Thomas Njeru reveals to Launch Base Africa how the profitable agtech reached 24 million farmers and why impact and profitability are not mutually exclusive.