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MENA FinTech market to attract $2 billion in deals
The current MENA fintech market is estimated at $2 billion and expected to witness an annual growth of $125 million until 2022, according to MENA Research Partners (MRP).
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- North Africa & Near East
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No One Should be ‘Scared to Live too Long’ – Innovating Insurance for the Elderly
After a chilling conversation with his family housekeeper about her fear of "living too long" and becoming a burden on her family, Tyron Fouche was inspired to start Nobuntu, an insurance plan for low-income South Africans. Combining an ancient risk-sharing design with modern tools like chatbots and biometric tech, the plan offers customers an income that actually increases as they get older. Fouche discusses Nobuntu's innovative model – and the big challenges it faces – in the latest post in NextBillion’s "Startup Showcase" series.
- Categories
- Finance, Social Enterprise
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Omidyar Network Led $2.8 Mn Seed Funding Round In Fintech Startup Kaleidofin
Chennai-based fintech startup Kaleidofin has raised over $2.8 Mn in seed funding from Omidyar Network. Blume Ventures and individual investors – including Israeli serial entrepreneur and inventor, Professor Shlomo Ben-Haim – have also participated in the round. This is Professor Ben-Haim’s first investment in India.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- South Asia
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An Indian startup wants to produce water from thin air using solar energy
If things go according to the Hyderabad-based startup’s plan, its technology to convert atmospheric moisture into usable—even potable—water will be available for household use in around two years from now.
- Categories
- WASH
- Region
- South Asia
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Impact investor Quona Capital plans to raise $150-200 million Fund III
While fintech remains the broader theme for Quona going forward, the company plans to broadbase its investment portfolio across sectors that can leverage fintech to deliver everyday needs in areas such as education, healthcare and insurance and small business.
- Region
- South Asia
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MENA startup data platform closes $1 million seed funding round
Having released over 20 reports since inception, a core focus of the MAGNiTT platform is education through data-driven analysis for its subscribers. The platform currently hosts 5,500 start-ups, over 12,000 users including over 300 individual investors and more than 150 funding institutions, be VCs or Angel Investors.
- Source
- Press release
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- North Africa & Near East
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Kenyan agri-tech startup Taimba wins $10k at SXSW
Kenyan startup Taimba, which connects farmers to retailers, was one of three winners of the 2018 Food+City Challenge Prize at the recent SXSW event, taking home US$10,000 in prize money.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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The race to become the world’s leading leading Islamic fintech hub
Malaysia, the UK and Indonesia are leading the race, ranking first, second and third respectively by number of Islamic fintech startups, says Bloomberg Intelligence. However, fierce competition from Middle Eastern countries threatens their supremacy.
- Categories
- Finance
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