ImpactAlpha, August 21 – Exuus is a Rwanda-based startup trying to help unbanked rural Rwandans get access to credit. The startup’s approach is to help digitize long-standing community savings groups, which are informal networks to help communities lend to members, share financial risk and capitalize on each other’s success. Exuus’ mobile-based platform also includes credit scoring, so that users can eventually connect with formal financial institutions.
Leapfrog Ventures has made a $50,000 investment in the company, as part of its strategy to back 80 early-stage African startups. Not to be confused with billion-dollar-impact investor LeapFrog Investments, LeapFrog Ventures is a $4.5 million fund out of Japan that’s committed to supporting early-stage ventures in Africa.
