Scale, a pioneering issuer orchestration platform focused on enabling payments across Africa, has announced the successful completion of a $700,000 pre-seed funding round. Led by prominent early-stage investors 54 Collective and First Circle Capital, the funding round also attracted support from Sunny Side Venture Partners and industry expert angel investors. This funding marks a major milestone for Scale, enabling the company to accelerate its market entry into Kenya, Zambia, and Cote d'Ivoire, where it aims to transform the payments landscape.

Expansion into Key Markets

Scale’s pre-seed funding round coincides with the company’s first anniversary, a critical period during which it has secured important partnerships in the banking and payments ecosystem. As the company prepares to launch operations in multiple African markets, it will address a significant need for streamlined card-issuing solutions in regions where payment infrastructure has often lagged. Scale's CEO, Miranda Perumal, sees this investment as a testament to the company’s value proposition, which centers on easing the card issuance process for businesses and offering tailored solutions to meet the continent's diverse payment needs.

“With the backing of our esteemed investors and partners, we are well-positioned to expedite our ecosystem engagement, build trust with African businesses, and continue solving major pain points in enabling card rails. Our focus remains on delivering unrivaled, world-class service,” said Perumal.

Addressing Pain Points in the African Payments Ecosystem

Africa has long faced challenges related to low payment card penetration, which has left many underserved populations, including women and youth, without easy access to financial services. According to Hetal Patel, Chief Investment Officer at 54 Collective, Scale’s solution offers a much-needed bridge to these communities, providing fintechs and corporates with a simplified, efficient process for launching card-based products.

“Scale is uniquely positioned to unlock value for its clients, many of whom are focused on serving the underserved populations. By simplifying the card-issuing process and addressing key pain points, Scale is helping to widen financial inclusion and enable entrepreneurship and business growth across the continent,” Patel remarked.

Selma Ribica of First Circle Capital highlighted the challenges facing African businesses that want to offer payment cards, noting that the process typically takes up to 18 months. With Scale’s platform, businesses can launch card products within weeks, drastically reducing time-to-market and helping companies generate revenue faster.

Scaling Fintech Solutions Across Africa

Scale’s innovative approach is based on its proprietary SOIL technology—Scale’s Orchestration Issuing Layer—which acts as the backbone of its card-issuing solution. The platform streamlines the complex processes involved in launching and managing card programs by connecting fintechs with the necessary network of banks, payment systems, and technology partners. This orchestration enables businesses to scale their payment solutions seamlessly across multiple countries, effectively overcoming the barriers that have traditionally hindered widespread card adoption in Africa.

Sadaharu Saiki, founder and General Partner at Sunny Side Venture Partners, emphasized the importance of Scale’s solution in solving one of Africa’s most pressing challenges: access to simple and efficient payments. “Card penetration within the African market hasn’t been easy, but Scale is tackling this challenge head-on with remarkable ease, improving lives across the continent,” Saiki said.

Driving Financial Inclusion and Empowerment

Scale’s mission extends beyond merely providing technology. The company is focused on empowering African fintechs and businesses with payment solutions that are not only scalable but also commercially sustainable. As Scale continues to expand its partnerships and grow its client base, it aims to make a tangible impact on the continent by fostering financial inclusion and entrepreneurship.

“We are not just another startup; Scale is fuelled through venture capital and built on the foundation of an unyielding passion to empower Africa’s fintechs,” said Perumal. “With our unmatched expertise and core focus on execution, we are more than a funded operation—we are a promise kept.”

With its $700,000 pre-seed funding and a strategic focus on expanding into key African markets, Scale is poised to become a major player in the region’s payments ecosystem. The company's innovative technology and commitment to solving critical pain points in card issuing position it as a leader in enabling businesses to succeed in Africa’s growing fintech landscape. As Scale continues to grow, the company remains dedicated to driving financial inclusion, empowering underserved communities, and creating lasting change across the continent.