Kenya’s Kapu Secures Pre-Series A Funding To Scale Affordable E-Commerce

Kenyan e-commerce startup Kapu has raised pre-Series A funding from BlackWood and existing investors to expand its operations across Africa. While the exact amount remains undisclosed, the funding follows an USD 8 M seed round in 2022 and will be used to enhance Kapu’s go-to-market strategy, strengthen logistics, and introduce new fintech features.

Founded in 2022 by Sam Chappatte, a former Jumia executive, alongside co-founders Stanislas Barth and Meera Dhanani, Kapu focuses on reducing the cost of living for low-income consumers.

Its neighborhood-based model leverages local agents and small-format stores to optimise last-mile logistics and drive affordability. Initially focused on Nairobi, the company serves 100,000 households monthly and processes 2 million annual orders, claiming to have saved consumers USD 1 M.

Kapu’s investors, including Giant Ventures, Firstminute Capital, and Norrsken VC, are betting on its potential to scale within Africa’s USD 500 B grocery market. BlackWood CEO Bastian R. Larsen praised the startup’s focus on affordability and its experienced team, which draws on insights from e-commerce giants like Jumia and Grab.

By addressing fragmented retail systems and high grocery costs—estimated to consume 46% of household income—Kapu aims to save consumers USD 1 B over the next decade. Its social commerce-inspired model leverages local networks to overcome challenges like limited digital literacy and last-mile delivery hurdles, presenting a compelling alternative in a competitive e-commerce landscape.