Rwandan fintech startup Kayko has raised US$1.2 million in seed funding to support its mission of using data to facilitate access to finance for small businesses across the country.
Founded in 2021 by brothers Crepin and Kevin Kayisire, Kayko enables its clients to process sales through a POS (Point of Sale) system, track inventory, manage expenses and process payments.
“We created Kayko to solve a very real problem: millions of SMEs across Africa run their businesses every day, but lack useful financial data to grow, secure loans or expand. Money circulates, sales happen, taxes are paid, but banks still can’t ‘see’ the business,” the founders said.
More than 8,500 SMEs already use Kayko daily for accounting, inventory management and tax compliance, and the startup is now targeting even greater growth after raising US$1.2 million in a seed round backed by Burrow Capital, the Luxembourg Development Agency, Hanga Ignite by BRD and develoPPP Ventures.
“So we built Kayko as a micro-ERP and a data layer for SMEs: capturing sales, expenses, inventory and compliance signals that can drive credit assessment, working capital and smarter financial products,” the founders said. “This funding allows us to go deeper.”
The startup plans to strengthen its infrastructure, expand data-driven lending and credit scoring, and turn everyday business activities into real access to capital.
Source: Disrupt Africa
