Maad

What they do:

Maad is revolutionizing Francophone Africa's retail landscape as the fastest-growing Tech-Enabled Wholesaler catering to informal markets. In a region where the majority of consumption occurs in mom-and-pop shops, Maad streamlines the supply chain with its tech-driven platform, offering retailers reliable delivery, competitive prices, and enhanced stock management. Beyond distribution, Maad provides additional value-added services such as working capital solutions for retailers and comprehensive data insights for brands, bridging the gap between traditional commerce and modern technology.

Why we invested:

We invested in Maad because it addresses a critical need in Francophone Africa's retail sector, where informal markets dominate but lack efficient distribution channels. By leveraging technology to streamline the supply chain and provide essential services to retailers and brands, Maad not only improves access to goods but also empowers small businesses and enhances market visibility.

The Founders:

Maad is led by a team of 3 talented co-founders. All three have engineering educations from elite universities (Stanford and École Central Paris) and business experience in tech and finance across 8 Francophone African countries. Jessica Long was the 15th software engineer to join Airbnb, Sidy Niang has created financing plans for $100ms in African infrastructure projects with IFC, and Karimou Ba held product leadership positions for 6+ years at one of Europe's largest IT companies, Amadeus.

Active in:

Senegal