JULAYA

What they do:

Julaya is a fintech company streamlining digital payments in Africa. They provide a platform that allows businesses to efficiently manage payments to unbanked and banked suppliers, employees, and others, integrating seamlessly with mobile money systems. This addresses the unique needs of the African market, where mobile money and financial services are often more accessible than traditional banking. The user-friendly solution enhances economic participation and growth for businesses in regions with limited banking infrastructure, simplifying and securing financial operations across diverse sectors. Julaya's service is essential for businesses embracing digital finance in Africa.

Why we invested:

African companies primarily utilize cash through their supply chain and operations resulting in time inefficiency and accounting irregularities, and exposing them to fraud and embezzlement. According to a study by Société Générale Côte d’Ivoire, African companies lose 5-10% of turnover due to their use of cash on a massive scale. Julaya allows African companies to digitize 100% of their payments via digital account, serving as their neobank and enabling them to save time, streamline accounting, and ensure security. Julaya has four offices : R&D and IT team in Paris (France), Operational Offices in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire), in Dakar (Senegal) and in Cotonou (Senegal). It employs 100 people across all offices.

Founding Team:

Mathias Léopoldie is the CEO and co-founder of Julaya. After completing a dual master's degree in business and political science, he worked for 2 years in West Africa for the French Fintech company LemonWay Africa before launching Julaya in 2018. He is convinced that technology has the potential to transform emerging markets, especially Africa. With Julaya, he works to support businesses that are digitizing their operations and to help them grow better and faster. He is proud that Julaya is backed by a team from over 7 countries in Africa and Europe.

Charles Talbot is the CTO and co-founder of Julaya. A graduate of HETIC, he created Julaya with Mathias Léopoldie in 2018, after having worked together for 2 years to develop the payment startup LemonWay Africa in Mali and Burkina Faso. With a real vision and ambition for Julaya, Charles strives to develop a product that is the benchmark in the sector and helps African businesses become more competitive. He firmly believes that new financial services can help transform the African economic landscape, and is committed to ensuring that Julaya is part of this change.

Active in:

Côte d’Ivoire, Sénégal, and Bénin.