Friday, May 9, 2025
The Lagos Today
  • Login
  • Home
  • Tech
    NjiaPay: South African Fintech Startup Reshaping Payment Solutions for African Businesses

    NjiaPay: South African Fintech Startup Reshaping Payment Solutions for African Businesses

    Ghana’s Kofa Secures $8.1M Pre-Series A Funding to Drive Clean Energy Access Across Urban Africa

    Ghana’s Kofa Secures $8.1M Pre-Series A Funding to Drive Clean Energy Access Across Urban Africa

    South Africa’s CureRoot Leverages AI to Unlock New Medicines from African Medicinal Plants

    South Africa’s CureRoot Leverages AI to Unlock New Medicines from African Medicinal Plants

    SA’s Peach Payments Expands into Francophone Africa with PayDunya Acquisition

    SA’s Peach Payments Expands into Francophone Africa with PayDunya Acquisition

    Egypt’s Enza Secures $6.75M to Drive Financial Inclusion in Africa

    Egypt’s Enza Secures $6.75M to Drive Financial Inclusion in Africa

    South African Prop-Tech Startup Preferental Unveils Innovative Tenant-Screening App

    South African Prop-Tech Startup Preferental Unveils Innovative Tenant-Screening App

    LoftyInc Capital Secures $43 Million for First Close of New Pan-African Seed Fund

    LoftyInc Capital Secures $43 Million for First Close of New Pan-African Seed Fund

    Stitch Teams Up with Standard Bank’s Shyft for Instant Wallet Top-Ups in South Africa

    Stitch Teams Up with Standard Bank’s Shyft for Instant Wallet Top-Ups in South Africa

    Kenya Takes Action Against TikTok Following Child Exploitation Exposé

    Kenya Takes Action Against TikTok Following Child Exploitation Exposé

  • Startups⚡ by CRAWL
    NjiaPay: South African Fintech Startup Reshaping Payment Solutions for African Businesses

    NjiaPay: South African Fintech Startup Reshaping Payment Solutions for African Businesses

    Ghana’s Kofa Secures $8.1M Pre-Series A Funding to Drive Clean Energy Access Across Urban Africa

    Ghana’s Kofa Secures $8.1M Pre-Series A Funding to Drive Clean Energy Access Across Urban Africa

    South Africa’s CureRoot Leverages AI to Unlock New Medicines from African Medicinal Plants

    South Africa’s CureRoot Leverages AI to Unlock New Medicines from African Medicinal Plants

    Kenyan Tourism Venture Studio Purple Elephant Ventures Increases Seed Round to $5 Million

    Kenyan Tourism Venture Studio Purple Elephant Ventures Increases Seed Round to $5 Million

    SA’s Peach Payments Expands into Francophone Africa with PayDunya Acquisition

    SA’s Peach Payments Expands into Francophone Africa with PayDunya Acquisition

    Egypt’s Enza Secures $6.75M to Drive Financial Inclusion in Africa

    Egypt’s Enza Secures $6.75M to Drive Financial Inclusion in Africa

    GIIG Partners with SparkRockets to Launch AI-Powered Startup Validation Tool

    GIIG Partners with SparkRockets to Launch AI-Powered Startup Validation Tool

    Tanzania’s Kilimo BaNDO Revolutionizes Agriculture for Smallholder Farmers

    Tanzania’s Kilimo BaNDO Revolutionizes Agriculture for Smallholder Farmers

    South African Prop-Tech Startup Preferental Unveils Innovative Tenant-Screening App

    South African Prop-Tech Startup Preferental Unveils Innovative Tenant-Screening App

    LoftyInc Capital Secures $43 Million for First Close of New Pan-African Seed Fund

    LoftyInc Capital Secures $43 Million for First Close of New Pan-African Seed Fund

  • Opinion
  • Business
  • Biotech
  • Industry
    iPhone 16 Sales Surge 20% in China, Signaling a Strong Comeback

    iPhone 16 Sales Surge 20% in China, Signaling a Strong Comeback

    Grid Africa Secures $2.8 Million for Renewable Energy Initiatives in South Africa

    Grid Africa Secures $2.8 Million for Renewable Energy Initiatives in South Africa

    Millennials and Gen Z Show Shorter Tenures Despite Clear Career Paths, New Report Shows

    Millennials and Gen Z Show Shorter Tenures Despite Clear Career Paths, New Report Shows

    Kenya’s Octavia Secures $3.9M Seed Funding to Tackle Carbon Emissions

    Kenya’s Octavia Secures $3.9M Seed Funding to Tackle Carbon Emissions

  • Features & Interviews
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Art & Design
    • Books
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Sports
    Pick n Pay Set to List Boxer Business in Africa’s Largest IPO of 2024

    Pick n Pay Set to List Boxer Business in Africa’s Largest IPO of 2024

    One Direction Star Liam Payne Dies after Hotel Balcony Fall

    One Direction Star Liam Payne Dies after Hotel Balcony Fall

    It’s important to set boundaries in entertainment industry – Reminisce

    It’s important to set boundaries in entertainment industry – Reminisce

    AFCON 2023: Super Eagles Ready to Face Lions of Cameroon on Saturday – Peseiro

    Flying Eagles moves to Ikenne for camping in prep for 2024 WAFU B U20 Championship in Togo

    EGUAVOEN APPOINTED NIGERIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

    Eguavoen gives conditions for turning Super Eagles interim job to full time role

    Jagun Jagun secures 7 nominations at 2024 AMAA

    Jagun Jagun secures 7 nominations at 2024 AMAA

    Atiku Faults 2020 Budget Review, Urges FG to Prioritize Welfare of Citizens

    Atiku proposes single term of 6-years rotational Presidency

    Oba Elegushi donates 3 standard tennis courts to LASU, reveal reasons behind donation

    Oba Elegushi donates 3 standard tennis courts to LASU, reveal reasons behind donation

    Covid-19: Cinema Operators Decry N22Bn Losses

    FG grants licensing waiver for community cinemas investors – NFVCB

  • Reviews
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tech
    NjiaPay: South African Fintech Startup Reshaping Payment Solutions for African Businesses

    NjiaPay: South African Fintech Startup Reshaping Payment Solutions for African Businesses

    Ghana’s Kofa Secures $8.1M Pre-Series A Funding to Drive Clean Energy Access Across Urban Africa

    Ghana’s Kofa Secures $8.1M Pre-Series A Funding to Drive Clean Energy Access Across Urban Africa

    South Africa’s CureRoot Leverages AI to Unlock New Medicines from African Medicinal Plants

    South Africa’s CureRoot Leverages AI to Unlock New Medicines from African Medicinal Plants

    SA’s Peach Payments Expands into Francophone Africa with PayDunya Acquisition

    SA’s Peach Payments Expands into Francophone Africa with PayDunya Acquisition

    Egypt’s Enza Secures $6.75M to Drive Financial Inclusion in Africa

    Egypt’s Enza Secures $6.75M to Drive Financial Inclusion in Africa

    South African Prop-Tech Startup Preferental Unveils Innovative Tenant-Screening App

    South African Prop-Tech Startup Preferental Unveils Innovative Tenant-Screening App

    LoftyInc Capital Secures $43 Million for First Close of New Pan-African Seed Fund

    LoftyInc Capital Secures $43 Million for First Close of New Pan-African Seed Fund

    Stitch Teams Up with Standard Bank’s Shyft for Instant Wallet Top-Ups in South Africa

    Stitch Teams Up with Standard Bank’s Shyft for Instant Wallet Top-Ups in South Africa

    Kenya Takes Action Against TikTok Following Child Exploitation Exposé

    Kenya Takes Action Against TikTok Following Child Exploitation Exposé

  • Startups⚡ by CRAWL
    NjiaPay: South African Fintech Startup Reshaping Payment Solutions for African Businesses

    NjiaPay: South African Fintech Startup Reshaping Payment Solutions for African Businesses

    Ghana’s Kofa Secures $8.1M Pre-Series A Funding to Drive Clean Energy Access Across Urban Africa

    Ghana’s Kofa Secures $8.1M Pre-Series A Funding to Drive Clean Energy Access Across Urban Africa

    South Africa’s CureRoot Leverages AI to Unlock New Medicines from African Medicinal Plants

    South Africa’s CureRoot Leverages AI to Unlock New Medicines from African Medicinal Plants

    Kenyan Tourism Venture Studio Purple Elephant Ventures Increases Seed Round to $5 Million

    Kenyan Tourism Venture Studio Purple Elephant Ventures Increases Seed Round to $5 Million

    SA’s Peach Payments Expands into Francophone Africa with PayDunya Acquisition

    SA’s Peach Payments Expands into Francophone Africa with PayDunya Acquisition

    Egypt’s Enza Secures $6.75M to Drive Financial Inclusion in Africa

    Egypt’s Enza Secures $6.75M to Drive Financial Inclusion in Africa

    GIIG Partners with SparkRockets to Launch AI-Powered Startup Validation Tool

    GIIG Partners with SparkRockets to Launch AI-Powered Startup Validation Tool

    Tanzania’s Kilimo BaNDO Revolutionizes Agriculture for Smallholder Farmers

    Tanzania’s Kilimo BaNDO Revolutionizes Agriculture for Smallholder Farmers

    South African Prop-Tech Startup Preferental Unveils Innovative Tenant-Screening App

    South African Prop-Tech Startup Preferental Unveils Innovative Tenant-Screening App

    LoftyInc Capital Secures $43 Million for First Close of New Pan-African Seed Fund

    LoftyInc Capital Secures $43 Million for First Close of New Pan-African Seed Fund

  • Opinion
  • Business
  • Biotech
  • Industry
    iPhone 16 Sales Surge 20% in China, Signaling a Strong Comeback

    iPhone 16 Sales Surge 20% in China, Signaling a Strong Comeback

    Grid Africa Secures $2.8 Million for Renewable Energy Initiatives in South Africa

    Grid Africa Secures $2.8 Million for Renewable Energy Initiatives in South Africa

    Millennials and Gen Z Show Shorter Tenures Despite Clear Career Paths, New Report Shows

    Millennials and Gen Z Show Shorter Tenures Despite Clear Career Paths, New Report Shows

    Kenya’s Octavia Secures $3.9M Seed Funding to Tackle Carbon Emissions

    Kenya’s Octavia Secures $3.9M Seed Funding to Tackle Carbon Emissions

  • Features & Interviews
  • Entertainment
    • All
    • Art & Design
    • Books
    • Movie
    • Music
    • Sports
    Pick n Pay Set to List Boxer Business in Africa’s Largest IPO of 2024

    Pick n Pay Set to List Boxer Business in Africa’s Largest IPO of 2024

    One Direction Star Liam Payne Dies after Hotel Balcony Fall

    One Direction Star Liam Payne Dies after Hotel Balcony Fall

    It’s important to set boundaries in entertainment industry – Reminisce

    It’s important to set boundaries in entertainment industry – Reminisce

    AFCON 2023: Super Eagles Ready to Face Lions of Cameroon on Saturday – Peseiro

    Flying Eagles moves to Ikenne for camping in prep for 2024 WAFU B U20 Championship in Togo

    EGUAVOEN APPOINTED NIGERIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

    Eguavoen gives conditions for turning Super Eagles interim job to full time role

    Jagun Jagun secures 7 nominations at 2024 AMAA

    Jagun Jagun secures 7 nominations at 2024 AMAA

    Atiku Faults 2020 Budget Review, Urges FG to Prioritize Welfare of Citizens

    Atiku proposes single term of 6-years rotational Presidency

    Oba Elegushi donates 3 standard tennis courts to LASU, reveal reasons behind donation

    Oba Elegushi donates 3 standard tennis courts to LASU, reveal reasons behind donation

    Covid-19: Cinema Operators Decry N22Bn Losses

    FG grants licensing waiver for community cinemas investors – NFVCB

  • Reviews
No Result
View All Result
The Lagos Today
No Result
View All Result
Home Business

Herconomy Raises $600,000 Pre-Seed Funding to Introduce Financial Services and Expand Operations

by Eucharia Egwuma
December 2, 2021
in Business, Feature & Interviews, Tech
Reading Time: 8 mins read
0
0
Herconomy Raises $600,000 Pre-Seed Funding to Introduce Financial Services and Expand Operations
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

From a women-focused community on social media to planning Africa’s largest financial services platform for women, Herconomy is leveraging fintech to empower women.

Women account for half of the world’s population but are faced with more hurdles in accessing financial products and services that can improve their well-being and economic empowerment. UNCTAD, based on the World Bank Financial Inclusion data, estimates that while 72% of men globally had a financial account in 2017, only 65% of women did – a gap of 7 percentage points).

In Nigeria, this gender parity is a concern even though financial inclusion has progressed over the years. According to EfiNA, a financial sector development organisation that promotes inclusive finance in Nigeria, only 15% of women (compared to 27% of men) were banked in 2008 (a gender gap of 12 percentage points). By 2018, 33% of females were banked but the gender gap had worsened to 13 percentage points. In the Global Gender Gap Index 2020 rankings by the World Economic Forum, Nigeria ranked 128 out of 153 countries emphasizing the economic disenfranchisement of women. Given the urgency in bridging the gender divide and enhancing the quality of life for women, policymakers and the public and private sector have continued to collaborate on many fronts.

For Herconomy, Africa’s first women-focused digital platform, changing the course of the financial exclusion narrative and underrepresentation of women in the economy will require a frontline and hands-on approach. Formerly AGS Tribe, the female-focused organization has repositioned itself as a financial technology (Fintech) service provider to democratize economic opportunities for women and even the financial landscape. “We decided to rebrand this year to Herconomy so the essence of what we do is easily communicated,” said Ifedayo Durosinmi-Etti, the founder and CEO of Herconomy. “We understand that when the life of a woman is positively impacted, value is created not just for that woman but for the community at large.”

Following the success of her 2018 book “Accessing Grants for Startups” (which was forwarded by former Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode), Ifedayo founded the AGS Tribe due to popular demand as she kept receiving requests from people from various walks of life, including entrepreneurs and working professionals seeking to improve and build their skill sets and access global opportunities. Sensing a steep knowledge gap, the MBA degree holder decided to take a holistic approach by creating a community that would be a pan-African female-focused network.

To accommodate the growing community, the AGS Tribe was hosted on Telegram which was a fully paid community. “The time on Telegram served as a customer discovery time,” said Ifedayo. “We eventually had to migrate to our mobile application because Telegram was not as supportive and as flexible for what we wanted.”

Herconomy Founder, Ifedayo Durosinmi-Etti

Once their mobile app launched, they knew they wanted to reach even more women, so they introduced a free tier which gave members of their platform access to all opportunities on their platform for free. They also introduced another tier that offered up to 30 percent discount off various products and services. These brands ranged from sectors like fashion, travel, salons, spa and wellness, law, and hospitality so, Gold members with Visa cards enjoy services that enhance their well-being. As a result, the AGS Tribe community scaled up and the community snowballed to over 15,000 members by the middle of July 2021.

One of the success stories of the AGS Tribe is Mobaby Care Nigeria, whose founder Mariam Adebola-Salami won a grant of $1,000 in March 2019 and another N1,000,000 in June 2019. Mariam, with the advisory support of AGS, was able to achieve a 10.5% growth in her business in ten (10) months with a customer base appreciation of over 1,000. Subsequently, Mobaby Care Nigeria was able to secure equity investment.

“Some of our members have won international grants, and in November 2021 one of our members, Confidence Stalavey, became an Obama Leader,” said Ifedayo. “Another community member of ours died in an unfortunate incident of domestic violence in June 2020 and as a community, we facilitated a fundraiser, which eventually raised over N26 million which has been placed in an FBNQuest trust fund for education for her kids.”

The organization does so much to help each other as a community. Another community member successfully secured a job in the UK after attending one of its weekly capacity-building workshops.

Very recently too, through the AGS Savings Challenge, over 500 women were able to save $100,000 cumulatively in 6 months.

This year, they unveiled the Herconomy Cooperative Multipurpose Society, which was described as a first step on the community’s mission to owning a female-focused bank here in Nigeria. To fund the expansion of Herconomy, the community embarked on its capital raising exercise.

In August 2021, Ifedayo shared plans to raise capital for Herconomy on her Insta story, and 130 people indicated interest in participating. “I had previously spoken with some investors in the past and the vision was lost on them but I knew what I wanted and trusted my community,” said Ifedayo.

Ifedayo had gotten into the Startup Bootcamp, which is an accelerator, in June, so she shelved the capital raising project till September to free up time to work on the business model of Herconomy.  By September, she sent an email to the 130 people who had indicated interest in investing in Herconomy saying to them that it was time for them to invest. She also attached a ggogle form so they could indicate their investment amount. She then went on her instastory again to say that ‘if you indicated interest earlier, you’ve got mail’. All of a sudden, more people indicated interest. That list grew from 130 people to 509 people, but this time, with actual figures that they could commit to within the next 2 weeks. To their surprise, Herconomy recorded a massive 11.4x oversubscription as it raised $5.7 million compared to the $500,000 target within 24 hours of its capital raise exercise.

“70 percent of the funding we received came from our community while the rest was from Venture Capitalists and Angel Investors,”  said Ifedayo. “Due to the minimum floor of $20,000 investment, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) was created to onboard members with less than $20,000.”

The funds, according to the organisation, will be channeled towards hiring an in-house tech team, improving on their product, increasing their marketing efforts and expanding their operations.

Some Angels who invested in Herconomy include:

  • Nkiru Ayemere – CEO, Zephans and Co
  • Ehi Onwudiwe – Director, Business Transformation, Ernest and Young
  • Olanrewaju Smith – CEO, World Bay Technologies 
  • Ope Makinwa – Head of Reserve, Diageo
  • Ama Akpata – Co – Founder, Jand2gidi

This is what some investors had to say; 

“I have followed the Herconomy story right from the AGS Tribe days and I have witnessed tremendous growth over the years. Not just the business, but of the founder as well. I have been a member of the community from the beginning so when the opportunity came up to invest, I certainly was interested in deepening my commitment by contributing my own token as an investor towards building a future where women thrive. I love Ife’s passion, doggedness and drive and you know what they say…..you don’t only invest in business idea, you invest in the founder. Herconomy is the future and I chose to invest in the future!” – Ehi Onwudiwe – Associate Director, Business Consulting, EY.

“Our thesis is that community is very key to the future of consumer fintech in Africa. The company has a very strong community element, and also focuses on creating financial products and prosperity for women- who have historically been underserved with financial services. We like the company very much and are happy to be on this journey with the team” – Olu Oyinsan – Managing Partner, Oui Capital.

The female-focused organisation has also announced it would embark on additional capital raising exercises and is open to interests from investors that share the same vision of women empowerment, inclusion and diversity.  

Inspired by the great strides made and the need to consolidate gains for women in the economy, Herconomy is setting its eyes on more audacious and ambitious targets. According to Ifedayo, the upward trajectory of Herconomy will lead to the creation of Africa’s largest digital bank that will be focused on financing women and projects that elevate the status of women in the economy. In the meantime, “Herconomy is committed to enabling women to learn, network, and earn high interest on their savings as they spend. ” said Ifedayo.

About Herconomy

Herconomy is a women-focused community with the goal of enabling women for success, and has been doing an amazing job at creating and providing opportunities for women and youths in Nigeria and Africa as a whole. The platform has impacted over 80,000 women through capacity building, mentorship and funding!

It is also a Fintech platform where women will not just save and earn high interests, but also save as they spend. Herconomy intends to provide more financial opportunities for the (previously AGS) Community. It is a financial service that empowers women to seek financial freedom and learn more about wealth creation. The world is not ready for this!

Herconomy recently announced its recruitment partnership with the giant online retailer, Amazon. This global partnership will open doors for African women to be recruited across Europe by Amazon. This is only the beginning and we want you to amplify this empowering opportunity that can change the lives of millions of women and their families in Nigeria today.

For more about Herconomy:

Website: https://Herconomy.com

Instagram: @herconomy

Twitter: @herconomybyAGS

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • X

Like this:

Like Loading...
Tags: FintechFintech in AfricaHerconomyPre-seed FundStart-ups
Previous Post

Amid Covid-19 Concerns, Buhari Welcomes Ramaphosa in Aso Rock

Next Post

COVID-19: Lagos records 29 new cases, zero fatality

Eucharia Egwuma

Eucharia Egwuma

Related Posts

NjiaPay: South African Fintech Startup Reshaping Payment Solutions for African Businesses

NjiaPay: South African Fintech Startup Reshaping Payment Solutions for African Businesses

by Iyanu Ale
May 5, 2025
0

In a move poised to transform how African businesses manage financial transactions, South African fintech startup NjiaPay is streamlining payments...

Ghana’s Kofa Secures $8.1M Pre-Series A Funding to Drive Clean Energy Access Across Urban Africa

Ghana’s Kofa Secures $8.1M Pre-Series A Funding to Drive Clean Energy Access Across Urban Africa

by Iyanu Ale
May 2, 2025
0

Ghanaian energy tech startup Kofa has successfully raised $8.1 million in a pre-Series A funding round to scale its AI-powered...

Next Post

COVID-19: Lagos records 29 new cases, zero fatality

Please login to join discussion

Recommended

Labour Unions Suspend Countrywide Strike

Fuel Subsidy: NLC to embark on nationwide strike Wednesday, June 7

2 years ago
SaharaReporters, Others Shun Lagos Assembly Adhoc Committee’s Invitation over Obasa’s corruption allegations

Lagos Assembly To Create Compulsory Lane Markings, Traffic Signals On Highways In Amended Traffic Law

5 years ago

Popular News

    Connect with us

    Tags

    #EndSARS 2023 Elections 2023 polls 2023 Presidency ACCIDENT Africa All progressives Congress APC Asiwaju Bola Tinubu Babajide Sanwo-Olu CBN Central Bank of NIgeria Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Coronavirus pandemic Covid-19 Covid-19 in Lagos Covid-19 in Nigeria Covid-19 Vaccine Cryptocurrency Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC Federal Government Federal Government of Nigeria Fraud Gov. Sanwo-Olu House of Representatives Lagos-Ibadan expressway Lagos state Lagos State Government Lagos State House of Assembly Lagos State Police command Muhammadu Buhari Murder Naira NDLEA Nigeria Nigeria Customs Service Nigerian Economy Nigeria Police Force Rape Strike action TECH UK United Kingdom US

    News

    • Industries
    • National
    • Startups
    • Biotechnology

    Opinion

    • Editorials
    • Today’s Opinion
    • Letters
    • Sunday Review
    • Advertise
    • Opinion
    • Features & Interviews
    • Investigation
    • Contact

    © 2020 The Lagos Today - Nkali.

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below

    Forgotten Password?

    Retrieve your password

    Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

    Log In
    No Result
    View All Result
    • Tech
    • Business
    • Biotech
    • Startups
    • Entertainment
    • Feature & Interviews
    • Reviews
    • Opinion

    © 2020 The Lagos Today - Nkali.

    %d