News
Kayko raises $1.2 million seed from Burrow Capital, LuxDev and others
Rwandan micro-ERP startup Kayko has raised a $1.2 million seed round to build credit scoring from merchant data and offer working capital loans through bank partners.
By Propel Africa · 2025-12-17
Kayko, a Kigali-based fintech, has raised $1.2 million in a seed round, Launch Base Africa reported on 17 December 2025. Participants were Burrow Capital, the Luxembourg Development Agency (LuxDev), Hanga Ignite, a facility of the Development Bank of Rwanda, and develoPPP Ventures.
What Kayko does
Kayko offers a micro-ERP platform that helps small merchants handle daily bookkeeping, cash flow, inventory and tax compliance. The data it collects is meant to let lenders assess credit risk without asking for collateral. The company was founded in 2021 by brothers Crepin and Kevin Kayisire, both graduates of African Leadership University. The idea grew out of a final-year capstone project.
Users
More than 8,500 small businesses use the platform daily, including neighbourhood kiosks, salons and retail shops. Its market is Rwanda.
Use of funds
Kayko will upgrade its technical infrastructure to handle higher transaction volumes and build its own credit scoring models from merchant data. It also plans to offer working capital loans through partnerships with banks and microfinance institutions.
At a glance
- Company: Kayko
- Raised: $1.2 million
- Round or Type: Seed
- Investors: Burrow Capital, LuxDev, Hanga Ignite, develoPPP Ventures
- Founded: 2021
- Based in: Kigali, Rwanda
- Markets: Rwanda
- Key number: More than 8,500 small businesses using it daily