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Welcome to another edition of 🔍 Startup Researcher - Africa, your essential digest delivering the latest news and premium insights on startups and venture capital across the region 🌍

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📰 Important News

• Nigeria has unveiled the National Credit Guarantee Company to expand credit access and financial inclusion, focusing on underserved groups like women and youth while partnering with key institutions for broader impact.

• Nsano has appointed Priscilla Hazel, the company's Regional Director, as its new Acting CEO following the transition of founder Kofi Owusu-Nhyira from the role.

💸 Top Funding Rounds

• Bedaya Mortgage Finance, a leading online non-bank mortgage provider in Egypt, has concluded its fifth securitized bond issuance worth $35 million.

• Egyptian agritech startup Renile raised $450,000 in funding, aiming to establish a Saudi-based company and secure $79,000 in contracts by Q1 2025.

• Village Capital has invested $150,000 in women-led agritech startup Rhea and financial inclusion startup Regxta, supporting innovation in agriculture and MSME services across Kenya and Nigeria.

🚀 Startup of the Week

Introducing our Startup of the Week 🏆

Renile

Egyptian agritech startup Renile, founded in 2017 by Hazem El-Tawab and Ibrahim El-Zayat, has raised $450,000 in funding to expand its smart farming solutions. Specializing in IoT-driven monitoring systems for water, air, and soil quality management, Renile aims to enhance agricultural efficiency. The company plans to secure $79,000 in contracts by Q1 2025 and establish a Saudi-based subsidiary to manufacture its systems. Renile gained significant visibility after appearing on Shark Tank, where CEO Hazem El-Tawab famously rejected a $300,000 offer for 30% of the company. This exposure contributed to the increased funding round.

💼 Investor of the Week

Introducing our Investor of the Week 🏆

Village Capital

Village Capital, founded in 2009 by Ross Baird and Bob Pattillo, is a venture capital firm focused on democratizing entrepreneurship by supporting early-stage ventures that tackle global challenges. The firm employs a unique peer-selection investment model to empower entrepreneurs and provide catalytic capital, particularly in sectors like agriculture, financial inclusion, and education. Recently, Village Capital invested $150,000 in two women-led startups—Rhea, a soil health management company in Kenya, and Regxta, a financial inclusion platform in Nigeria—through Standard Chartered’s Women in Tech Financing Facility. This investment will help Rhea expand its agent network and finalize its Agripad devices, while Regxta will use the funding to secure a microfinance banking license and extend its services to underserved MSMEs, especially those owned by women, supporting Village Capital’s mission to address gender disparities in funding.

🤑 Opportunity Radar

Call for Applications: Y Combinator Spring 2025

Apply to the Y Combinator Spring 2025 Batch by February 11th, 2025 to join one of the world’s most prestigious startup accelerators. The batch, held in San Francisco from April to June 2025, offers access to $500,000 in funding, top-tier mentorship, networking opportunities, and a vibrant community of founders. Participants will work closely with experienced YC General Partners, attend weekly meetups, and gain insights from renowned startup leaders like the founders of Airbnb and Stripe. Don’t miss the chance to secure funding and accelerate your startup journey—apply now and unlock lifelong connections within YC’s powerful alumni network.