MoDe, a Kenyan startup that offers instant nano-credit for pre-paid mobile phone users, has received the IBM Global Entrepreneur of the Year award.
The startup, which benefited from the IBM SmartCamps programme, overcame more than 20 local startups to come to the top and another eight finalists from seven countries to qualify for the global championships.
“Being named the IBM Global Entrepreneur of the Year is a tremendous honor and will accelerate our ability to create new markets. The access to clients and potential investors that we have had through the SmartCamp program would have taken our company 10 years to achieve on our own, with IBM it took less than six months.” said Julian Kyula, CEO and co-founder MoDe.
Already, the startup has entered into partnerships with major African telecom companies such as MTN and Airtel and is available in five countries, targeting 10 more.
While presenting the award, IBM general manager of ISV and developer relations Jim Corgel recognised the important role served by MoDe, especially to people who had otherwise nowhere to seek credit.
“MoDe goes to the heart of what it means to make the planet smarter by providing a solution and helping out people who had nowhere else to look, MoDe is making a difference,” said Corgel.
Last year, MoDe crossed the 200-millionth transaction count.
