Kenya’s Tappi selected for SOSV’s Orbit Startups programme, to receive $180k funding

Tappi, a Kenyan e-commerce startup, has been chosen for the most recent Orbit Startups accelerator class. Tappi will receive $180,000 in funding as well as access to a rigorous program that will help it continue to grow and raise money after the demo day.

Orbit Startups supports the scaling of ground-breaking startups from around the world in emerging and frontier markets in Southeast and South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas. SOSV, a global venture capital firm, has US $1.5 billion in assets under management.

In its most recent program, nine startups from around the globe have been chosen to participate, including Tappi from Kenya, which uses its full-stack social commerce solution to help small businesses create an online storefront in under two minutes. With over 20 million SMEs in its network and growth of 17% month over month, the startup’s app is being distributed for free through mobile operators and was founded by Kenfield Griffith.

There are also businesses from India, the United States, Colombia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and Thailand in the group of startups that this week presented their ideas to an investor-only audience.

“Technology is driving a massive change in economies around the world, especially in emerging and frontier markets, where there are the most opportunities for growth and the most pressing problems facing our planet,” said William Bao Bean, general partner at SOSV and managing director at Orbit Startups. “We are very excited by this group of amazing entrepreneurs transforming climate tech, healthcare, mobility, and economic inclusion.”