New post Need visibility? Apply for a FREE post for your Startup.  Apply Here

Startups

Kenyan AgriTech Startup – Apollo – Secures US$1m Debt Funding from ABC Funds

2 Mins read

Apollo Agriculture, a Kenyan-based AgriTech startup, has secured US$1m in debt funding. The funding was backed by Agri-Business Capital Fund (ABC Fund).

The startup admits its plan to use the proceeds to continue scaling its high impact AgriTech solution to reach more smallholder farmers who are unable to access loans from conventional financial institutions.

The startup is also confident that the investment will have positive impacts on food security, and reduce food shortages in rural Kenya.

Apollo Agriculture, which was founded by Benjamin Njenga and Eli Pollak in 2016, uses agronomic machine learning, remote sensing, and mobile phones to provide high-quality farm inputs, and advice that help farmers double farm yields.

Using satellite data, soil data, farmer behaviour data, and crop yield model, the startup assesses credit risks, and customizes each package to the farmer’s specific location.

Apollo said it has recorded rapid growth; adding that, despite the challenges created by the covid-19 pandemic, it almost tripled its customer base.

CEO at Apollo Agriculture, Eli Pollak, said:

“We are thrilled to partner with the ABC Fund. This funding will support our strong continued growth, enabling us to help more small-scale farmers access high-quality farming inputs, advice and insurance on credit, significantly increasing their yields and income. Apollo’s automated, tech-driven approach is designed to help millions of farmers make the transition from subsistence to commercial farmer sustainably. We are excited to have ABC Fund as a strong partner as we continue to scale.”

Read also: Nigerian Fintech Startup – FairMoney – Closes Series B Funding Round of US$42m

Agri-Business Capital fund (ABC Fund) is a blended-finance impact fund that provides catalytic financing to underserved yet profitable segments of agribusiness value chains in developing countries.

ABC Fund has provided a total of US$12 million in funding to three farmers co-operatives in Côte d’Ivoire, six small-and-medium agri-businesses in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali and Côte d’Ivoire, and two financial institutions operating in Ecuador, Kenya and Uganda.

Emanuele Santi, Fund Manager for the ABC Fund at Bamboo Capital Partners commented on Apollo funding:

“Apollo is an excellent example of a technology-driven business which is making a real difference to improve the lives of marginalised farming communities in Kenya. Apollo’s innovative solution to help smallholder farmers maximise profitability is proven, and moreover, it is directly improving food security and reducing shortages in the region. We are delighted that the ABC Fund now has the opportunity to play a crucial role in scaling Apollo to enable it to reach even more smallholder farmers and continue delivering a positive impact on the ground.”

Don’t miss any tech news ever!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

778 posts

About author
When I'm not reading about tech, I'm writing about it, or thinking about the next weird food combinations to try. I do all these with my headphones plugged in, and a sticky note on my computer with the words: "The galaxy needs saving, Star Lord."
Articles
Related posts
Startups

Nigerian fintech startup - Zone - raises $8.5M to revolutionize payment infrastructure

2 Mins read
In a significant move that could reshape the payment landscape in Africa, Zone, a Nigerian fintech startup, has secured $8.5 million in…
Startups

FairMoney in talks to acquire Umba in $20M all-stock deal

1 Mins read
FairMoney, a Paris-based digital bank operating in Nigeria, is engaged in early discussions to fully acquire fintech startup, Umba, in an all-stock…
Startups

Disha, Flutterwave's no-code platform, to temporarily shut down operations

1 Mins read
Disha, the no-code platform for creatives acquired by fintech startup Flutterwave in 2021, has announced it will temporarily cease operations starting March…
Newsletter Subscription

🤞 Don’t miss any update!

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Join our Telegram channel here - t.me/TechpadiAfrica

Leave a Reply