Invest in African SMEs, from $100
We score businesses on real trading data, not credit history. Each funding request is split into pieces small enough for anyone to back.
Running a business? Get funded
Portfolio
Good morning, Lerato
Total invested
$2,480.00
Active listings
View allKagiso Foods
Invoice · 30 days
$850
Thabo Logistics
Working capital · 60 days
$1,200
Who we serve
Investors
Companions is built for impact-focused investors of all sizes, from individuals to small funds, who are comfortable with calculated risk and want to earn returns while supporting real businesses.
Investors can diversify their portfolios by backing verified SMEs through short-term, transparent funding opportunities from as little as $100 USD.
How it works
Simple steps to get started, whether you're funding your business or investing in SMEs
For SMEs
Create a business profile and upload minimum requirements.
Our team evaluates your business performance, affordability, and compliance.
Once approved, create a loan or upload invoice.
Investors fund your financing request.
Receive funding once listing is filled
For Investors
Create an investor profile
Connect to preferred stablecoin wallet
Browse verified SME listings
Invest fractionally in a listing
Earn returns on investments.
Investing in African SMEs
We originate, vet and onboard every business on the platform, and publish the file behind each one — so you can judge a listing on evidence before you commit a cent.
Fractional Investing
Invest in portions of SME financing opportunities rather than funding an entire loan yourself.
Stablecoin Investments
Use stablecoins to access opportunities and participate in Africa's growing SME economy.
Impact Investing
Generate potential returns while helping African businesses create jobs, expand operations, and contribute to economic growth.
Funding built for how you actually trade
Apply once, track everything from one dashboard, and get a decision without the long waiting period.
Working Capital Finance
Access short-term funding to cover daily operational expenses, payroll, inventory purchases, and business growth needs.
Invoice Financing
Unlock cash tied up in unpaid invoices and improve business cash flow without waiting for customer payments.
Purchase Order Finance
Secure funding to fulfill customer orders and contracts, helping you grow without cash flow constraints.
Live funding request
R450,000
Invoice financing · 60 days
41 investors · closes in 6 days
Credit trust score
Trust band A · improving
Next repayment
R38,400
12 March · auto-debit
Uploaded invoices
Upload newWho qualifies for funding?
Companions funds trading businesses that can show a track record. The bar is deliberately simple, and every applicant is held to it.
To qualify, a business must:
- Be formally registered
- Have operated for at least 12 months
- Generate monthly turnover above R10,000
- Meet Companions' compliance and affordability requirements
Alternative data, turned into a credit trust score
Most grassroots SMEs are invisible to a credit bureau — not because they are risky, but because their trading history never lands in one. We read the data they already generate and build a trust profile from it.
- 1
We collect what the business already produces
Mobile money inflows, POS and card settlements, supplier ledgers, utility and rent records, and 6-12 months of bank statements.
- 2
We score behaviour, not paperwork
Payment consistency, revenue trend, buyer concentration and affordability are weighted into a single trust score out of 900.
- 3
Investors see the file, not just the number
Every score is traceable back to the documents and signals behind it, so funding decisions stay evidence-based.
Credit trust profile
Kagiso Foods (Pty) Ltd
Reg. 2019/446807/07 · Gauteng
Trust score
742 / 900
No bureau record required · built from trading data
Alternative signals assessed
Compliance checks
Why we exist
The problem
Many SMEs cannot qualify for traditional funding, even when their businesses are trading and generating real activity. The record exists — it just never reaches a bureau.
Our mission
Unlock financing for grassroots SMEs by scoring the data they already produce, and by making the funding side open to anyone with $100 and an appetite for real risk.
Our vision
Bring people closer to the businesses that power everyday life, so capital reaches the operators who keep local economies moving.
Our journey
Building the future of SME financing, one milestone at a time
2024 – 2025
The beginning
- Founded
- Incubated by Tuknovation
- 2nd, Standard Bank Tech Challenge 2025
2025 – present
Growth phase
- MVP development
- Live testing in South Africa
Get in touch
Have questions? We'd love to hear from you. Send us a message and we'll respond as soon as possible.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about Companions Fintech
Companions Fintech is a platform that connects investors with SMEs, facilitating accessible and community-driven funding solutions.
Each SME undergoes a thorough evaluation process, including financial assessments and business viability analyses, to ensure they meet our criteria for funding.
Yes, we welcome SMEs from various industries, provided they meet our funding criteria.
Simply sign up on our platform, complete the necessary verification steps, and follow the guided process tailored for investors or SMEs.