Nigerian digital escrow service Vesicash has raised an undisclosed amount of funding from Ingressive Capital to help it grow its customer base and secure key partnerships.
A digital escrow service, Vesicash was built to prevent digital fraud and disputes by providing payment security for all parties involved in P2P or marketplace transaction.
The startup raised US$100,000 in pre-seed funding in November 2018, and has now raised a larger round from Ingressive Capital. Aside from the funding, the VC firm will also assist Vesicash with things like go-to-market strategy, sales, marketing and securing partners.
“To succeed in this market, you need the backing of strong local partners like Ingressive Capital. Having them on board gives Vesicash the necessary boost in taking the necessary steps for achieving our vision, and opens up the door of unending possibilities as founders of the company,” Ibrahim Oladele, Vesicash co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO), told Disrupt Africa.
“The investment will help us focus on our mission of empowering Nigerians through a secure, safe and transparent way of carrying out digital transactions without the fear of being defrauded.”
Built originally for marketplace and social commerce platforms, Vesicash has seen a significant volume of the transactions it has processed so far come from the services sector. Currently operating only in Nigeria, it has plans to secure strategic partnerships to offer its payment security solution to other countries within West Africa and Africa as a whole.
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer.
He could be contacted at udohrapulu@gmail.com