Guidewheel, formerly Safi, a Kenyan firm, has raised $8 million in a Series A round to expand into the United States

Guidewheel, a manufacturing technology pioneer founded in Nairobi, Kenya as Safi, has raised $8 million in Series A funding to support its continuous expansion in the United States (US).

Greycroft led the round, which included angel investors and Fortune 500 executives.

Guidewheel offers cloud-powered industrial solutions, helping companies to digitize their processes and achieve sustainable peak performance.

It was based in Nairobi as Safi from 2018 to 2020.

Guidewheel offers a cloud-based FactoryOps solution that enables companies to digitize their operations and achieve long-term success.

Its plug-and-play platform attaches to any machine on the factory floor, providing real-time visibility that cuts down on lost production and boosts productivity.

To date, the company has raised $12 million from new investors such as LocalGlobe, Savannah Fund, and DEG, as well as governmental monies from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Guidewheel has quickly grown to over 100 plants in Mexico, East Africa, and the United States.

The funds will be used to accelerate growth, expand operations, and broaden the company’s reach.

Read more on Tech Gist Africa:

AIfluence, a Kenyan AI influencer marketing startup, has raised $1 million in funding

MarketForce, a Kenyan B2B retail platform, has raised $2 million in pre-Series A funding to help it scale its B2B e-commerce marketplace

Kenyan ed-tech start-up Ed Partners Africa has raised $1.9 million in a funding round to support affordable private schools in Africa