Kayko, a Rwandan fintech startup, has raised US $1.2 million in seed money to further its goal of utilizing data to enable small businesses throughout the nation to obtain financing.
Kayko, which was founded in 2021 by brothers Crepin and Kevin Kayisire, enables customers to manage expenses, track inventory, process payments, and process sales using a proof of sale system.
“We started Kayko to solve a very real problem: millions of SMEs across Africa run their businesses every day, but have no usable financial data to grow, borrow, or scale. Cash moves, sales happen, taxes are paid, yet banks still can’t “see” the business,” the founders said.
After raising US$1.2 million in a seed round that includes investments from Burrow Capital, Luxembourg Development Agency, Hanga Ignite by BRD, and develoPPP Ventures, the startup is now aiming for further growth. Currently, over 8,500 SMEs use Kayko every day for bookkeeping, inventory, and tax compliance.
“So we built Kayko as a micro-ERP and data layer for SMEs: capturing sales, expenses, inventory, and compliance signals that can power credit scoring, working capital, and smarter financial products,” the founders said. “This funding lets us go deeper.”
The startup intends to increase data-driven lending and credit scoring, fortify its infrastructure, and transform routine business operations into actual capital access.
