MAKA, a Nigerian social commerce startup that makes discovering and purchasing fashion items relatively easy and enjoyable, has raised a US$2.65 million pre-seed round of funding to help it scale.
With additional support from Palm Drive Capital, 4DX Ventures and Janngo co-led the funding round. Executives from the delivery platform Wolt and angel investor Jonathan Shipman also participated in the funding round.
The interactive social commerce platform MAKA was founded in 2021 by CEO Diana Owusu-Kyereko. It allows consumers to discover goods that match their personal styles in a scalable manner through live try-on hauls, reviews, and user-generated material from both creators and customers.
“African e-commerce deserves better, and we’re driven by our belief that everyone should be able to easily discover their style, feel represented, and express their individuality. Our technology, coupled with our team of experts, not only empowers users but also liberates them to confidently explore and make purchases from verified and trusted brands,” said Owusu-Kyereko.
“Young consumers today face a shared dilemma – they crave authenticity and the freedom to set their own trends, but they are influenced by real people, and they seek choice and individuality without being misled. Our focus remains clear, and we’re committed to providing our users with an authentic space to explore their unique style while empowering creators to showcase their content and connect with new audiences. We want to foster meaningful connections between creators and customers,” Owusu-Kyereko added.
Janngo Capital’s creator and chair, Fatoumata Bâ, explained that her company was interested in MAKA’s mission because it uses technology to give people more agency in the creative and e-commerce sectors, which helps to establish Janngo at the forefront of this emerging market in Africa.
By 2050, these three industries might account for as much as 200 billion USD in GDP, 184 million new jobs, and a fourfold increase in growth. Fatoumata Bâ expressed her pride in leading this investment round, which she believes will unlock the potential for huge development and influence on the continent.
Read more on Tech Gist Africa:
Bujeti, a Nigerian startup, receives $2 million in seed funding
FrontEdge, a Nigerian startup providing trade finance, raises $10 million
Pricepally, a Nigerian food e-commerce startup secures $1.3 million in seed funding
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