SUKHIBA, a cutting-edge conversational commerce and customer relationship management (CRM) platform based in Kenya, has successfully closed a $1.55 million seed extension round, with leading participation from EQ2 Ventures. Other prominent investors in this round include Accion Venture Lab, Musha Ventures, Quona Capital, and existing backers CRE Ventures.
Unlike platforms designed for developed markets that often rely on email infrastructure, SUKHIBA is tailored to the unique needs of emerging markets, particularly focusing on the widespread use of WhatsApp. The platform integrates sales, marketing, customer service, and payment services directly through WhatsApp, offering a seamless solution for businesses in regions where the messaging app serves as a primary communication tool.
In emerging markets, many manufacturers and distributors supplying small and medium enterprises (SMEs) traditionally depend on physical visits and fragmented WhatsApp messages to generate orders and manage logistics. This often leads to inefficiencies, such as stockouts and missed sales opportunities. SUKHIBA’s platform addresses these challenges by integrating inventory ordering, payments, trade credit, delivery, and customer relationships within WhatsApp. The ability to push shopping carts to wholesalers and retailers reduces order delays and streamlines inventory management, ultimately boosting sales and efficiency for SMEs.
Since its launch in 2023, SUKHIBA has rapidly expanded, now operating in eight markets across Africa and India. The platform works with top-tier manufacturers, distributors, leading retail chains, and direct-to-consumer (D2C) brands. Over 35,000 SMEs are currently purchasing products and services through SUKHIBA’s merchant partners. The platform’s ability to scale efficiently is enhanced by its integration with various payment companies and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, including SAP, ERPNext, Shopify, and WooCommerce.
The newly raised funds will be instrumental in accelerating SUKHIBA’s expansion across Africa and other emerging markets. The company’s long-term vision, backed by significant customers and investors, positions it as a potential leader in CRM and sales force automation for these regions.
Ananth Gudipati, Co-Founder and CEO of SUKHIBA, emphasized the platform’s unique approach, stating, “SUKHIBA is designed to bridge the gap between brands, manufacturers, distributors, and their customers in emerging markets by leveraging the ubiquitous nature of WhatsApp. This seed extension marks a significant milestone for us, enabling us to scale our operations and enhance our SaaS platform to better serve our growing customer base of manufacturers, distributors, and D2C brands.”
Investors share this confidence in SUKHIBA’s potential. Manish Phulwani, Associate Director at EQ2 Ventures, noted, “Our follow-on investment in SUKHIBA is a strong vote of confidence, having witnessed the team’s consistent execution since the early days. Their exceptional product mindset is rare, positioning them to lead the transition of business and consumer transactions to WhatsApp across emerging markets. We look forward to continuing this journey with the team.”
Amee Parbhoo, Managing Partner at Accion Venture Lab, also highlighted the platform’s impact on small retailers in emerging markets. “We see that small retailers in emerging markets are reliant on in-person interactions to manage their day-to-day commerce. SUKHIBA’s innovative platform can streamline many processes for small and medium enterprises as well as large manufacturers and distributors — from integrating inventory management and payment processing to trade credit, logistics, and customer engagement; all within the familiar interface of WhatsApp, helping improve the client experience and boost productivity.”
With this latest round of funding, SUKHIBA is poised to further its mission of revolutionizing commerce and customer relationship management in emerging markets. By harnessing the power of WhatsApp, the platform offers a practical and scalable solution tailored to the specific needs of these regions, driving economic growth and improving business efficiency. As SUKHIBA continues to expand its footprint, it stands to play a pivotal role in the digital transformation of commerce across Africa and other emerging markets.