Asante Financial Services has been selected to join Mastercard Start Path, an award-winning startup engagement program. Asante is among a group of only 6 startups chosen from across the globe to join the newest class.
Annually, Mastercard Start Path evaluates approximately 1,500 startups and less than 2% of those applications are accepted. The six-month program provides startups with operational support, commercial engagement, and the opportunity for strategic investment.
Asante is a provider of high impact digital financial services for small businesses and individuals in Africa, facilitating financial independence and improvement in wellbeing.
Asante has partnered with some of the largest corporations in Africa to extend much-needed credit to the SMEs and individuals in their ecosystems. We continue to develop propositions that enable
SMEs and individuals not only enjoy a wide range of financial services but to effectively take charge of their businesses and finances. Asante is currently operational in Kenya and Uganda with plans to be in 10 countries by 2025.
“We are quite enthused about this opportunity to collaborate with Mastercard, a global leader in payment technology. Joining the Start Path program will give us access to expert mentorship, exposure to Mastercard’s global-reaching markets and the opportunity to learn from and integrate with Mastercard’s network of experts, customers and partners.
“The COVID pandemic has elevated the urgent need for small businesses and individuals in Africa to infuse resilience into their business and personal finance, and this is Asante’s primary purpose,” said Chidi Okpala Founder & CEO, Asante Financial Services Group.
“As the fintech landscape evolves at an unprecedented speed, Mastercard provides the infrastructure and assets to help fintech innovators grow and ultimately bring more people into the digital economy,” said Amy Neale, Senior Vice President, Fintech & Enablers.
“The newest Start Path companies represent the future of the fintech industry and are designing inclusive solutions that anticipate consumer needs – we’re thrilled to partner with these innovators on their path to scale.
“Technology combined with creativity is making it possible to bring more people into the digital economy faster and more seamlessly than ever before,” said Amy Neale, Senior Vice President, Fintech & Enablers at Mastercard. “Through Mastercard Start Path, we’re partnering with Asante Financial Services on their path to scale and providing the technology, expertise and resources to help drive a more inclusive economy.”
Asante’s current strategic corporate channel partners include Safaricom, Airtel, MTN, Mastercard, Samsung, JUMIA, and Jubilee Insurance. The startup is presently operational in Kenya and Uganda with plans to have 10 presence countries by 2025.
Start Path is Mastercard’s award-winning startup engagement program that brings together a network of innovators from across the globe to shape the future of commerce together. Startups benefit from the knowledge of a global network of Mastercard experts, technologies and channels.
Banks and merchants gain access to a global portfolio of elite startups to accelerate commercial products and solutions through collaboration. With more than 250 startups in the network since its founding in 2014, Start Path companies have gone on to raise more than $3 billion in post-program capital.
