Business

Workpay, a Kenyan Firm that Specializes in Payroll and HR, Secures $5 Million in Funding from Visa

Published

8 months ago

August 22, 2024

Payroll management is a challenge for businesses in Africa, particularly given the diverse legislation, remote workforce, and hybrid work environments prevalent in the region. Because they cannot afford or maintain sophisticated payroll systems, almost 80% of small and medium-sized enterprises continue to operate using Google Sheets and Excel.

This is the reason why: Third-party solutions installed on-site have limited functionality, and software intended for large businesses can be costly and challenging to use. Payroll has been made simpler for firms operating abroad by multinational corporations like Gusto and Rippling, yet they have trouble operating in Africa.

This is the environment in which locally based solutions, like Workpay, supported by YC, flourish.

Workpay serves two primary customer types by offering cloud-based HR, payroll, and benefits solutions to companies with employees throughout Africa. Firstly, Workpay offers HR and payroll solutions to manage the workforce for small enterprises with 20–100 people operating in a single jurisdiction, such as a grocery store in Kenya or a manufacturing company in Nigeria. Moreover, Workpay assists in ensuring cross-border employee compliance for companies with 100–1,000 cross-border workers, such a Ugandan company employing in South Africa.

For ease of use and financial reasons, small-to-medium-sized enterprises favor more complete, full-stack solutions over juggling several systems, according to co-founder and CEO Paul Kimani: Because each piece of software must be purchased separately, using several solutions for the same department results in higher costs.

Over time, workpay has changed to reflect these changes. The five-year-old firm first concentrated on payroll, but as it grew, it added more services and responded to client input.

Businesses in the manufacturing industry, where it is crucial to monitor staff hours, are the primary users of features like time and attendance tracking. On the other hand, companies that employ remote workers are more concerned in measuring worker performance, which is something that Workpay’s performance management tool takes care of.

“The shift in customer needs has pushed us to expand our product from being a solid payroll solution to offering a more full-stack HR service. We’ve also noticed an opportunity to layer financial services on top of our HR offerings,” Kimani added, who founded Workpay with COO Jackson Kungu. “Since companies already use us to pay their employees, we can now provide added services like medical and vehicle insurance and even partner with providers for lending, savings, and investment options. This way, we offer a more comprehensive solution that meets the broader needs of our customers and their employees.”

As of right now, the startup has raised $5 million in Series A funding headed by the pan-African venture capital group Norrsken22. Current investors Y Combinator, Saviu Ventures, Axian, Plug n Play, Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures, and Acadian Ventures have also contributed, along with new money from Visa.

Visa is a major player in this investment round. The multinational payments giant debuted its fintech accelerator in November of last year, choosing 23 entrepreneurs for its first cohort and offering investment, training, and mentorship via its partners.

As of now, only Workpay has disclosed that it has obtained funding from Visa after finishing the program. Co-founder and CEO Paul Kimani said, “I think they invested depending on how they see a startup from a strategic and growth perspective,” following the program.

PaySpace in Africa is acquired by Deel, which reports that its ARR has surpassed $500M.
Payroll and HR solutions are in high demand throughout Africa as international businesses expand into previously untapped markets. This month, Skuad, a global HR and payroll business with headquarters in Singapore, was acquired by New York-based fintech Payoneer for $61 million. For well over $100 million in March of this year, Deel purchased PaySpace, a company based in South Africa.

With these new competitors, Workpay and other regional systems like SeamlessHR, PaidHR, and Bento will have to contend with more competition. On the other hand, Kimani sees increased international rivalry as validation of the market’s potential.

“We’re not overly concerned about competition from global players. There is still significant work to be done across Africa, both by external companies and ourselves. Building a comprehensive payroll solution for the entire continent is challenging—each country has its regulations and requirements,” the CEO added. “Payroll in Ivory Coast differs from South Africa. It will take time for global companies to adapt their products to the diverse African market. Therefore, in the short to medium term, we believe that competition from these global players won’t be a major concern for us or others in our space.”

Workpay is currently growing as quickly as it can, claiming to have added about 500 enterprises to its platform in the previous 16 months and to be serving over 1,000 clients in 20 African nations. This expansion would have increased the company’s reach from 20 to 40 nations, but it was postponing its move into Francophone Africa at the same time as this growth. In a similar vein, the business asserts that during the first half of 2024, revenue increased 1.5 times and is expected to quadruple by the end of the year.

According to Kimani, Workpay plans to use the additional funds to grow its workforce, improve its performance management tools with AI to help companies manage their teams, and broaden its financial services offering (including investigating new products to improve how employers and employees interact with salaries).

The Norrsken Foundation participated in the $2.7 million pre-Series A round last year, and the $2.1 million seed round in 2020 came before the Norrsken-led round. Existing investors Y Combinator, Saviu Ventures, Axian, Plug n Play, Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures, and Acadian Ventures are also involved in this round. Workpay was founded in 2019 and has already raised about $10 million in funding.

Related Topics:Kenyan Firm Payroll Visa Workpay

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Archana Suryawanshi

Business

AI Startup Anthropic Nears $3.5 Billion Funding Round

Published

1 month ago

February 25, 2025

Archana Suryawanshi

AI Startup Anthropic Nears $3.5 Billion Funding Round

Anthropic, a leading AI startup, is on the verge of securing $3.5 billion in a fresh funding round that could push its valuation to $61.5 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The company, known for developing the Claude chatbot, is reportedly attracting investments from major venture capital firms, including Lightspeed Venture Partners, General Catalyst, and Bessemer Venture Partners.

This funding round surpasses the $2 billion target Anthropic was previously reported to be seeking last month. The surge in investor interest highlights the growing appeal of AI-driven enterprises, with nearly half of all U.S. venture funding in 2023 flowing into artificial intelligence startups.

The strong financial backing also emphasizes the dominance of U.S. AI firms, even as Chinese alternatives like DeepSeek emerge with cost-efficient models that have caught the attention of some investors.

Meanwhile, OpenAI—the company behind ChatGPT—is also in discussions for a substantial funding round that could elevate its valuation to as much as $300 billion, as reported by Reuters.

Anthropic, co-founded by former OpenAI executives Dario and Daniela Amodei, had previously achieved a valuation of around $18 billion following a funding round led by Menlo Ventures last year.

In addition to its fundraising efforts, the company recently introduced Claude 3.7 Sonnet, an advanced AI model designed to enhance response speed and improve step-by-step reasoning. This move aims to strengthen Anthropic’s position in the competitive generative AI landscape.

The funding round was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, while Anthropic has yet to comment on the ongoing investment discussions.

Business

Level Up Your Digital Game with DigiRoads – Training, Strategy, and Success

Published

1 month ago

February 24, 2025

Brand Buzz

Jaipur, India – February 24, 2025 – In the ever-evolving digital world, staying ahead requires more than just theoretical knowledge—it demands hands-on expertise, strategic execution, and real-world application. Recognizing this need, DigiRoads has emerged as a leading force in digital marketing education, offering cutting-edge training programs designed to equip learners with industry-driven skills. Whether you are an aspiring marketer, a business professional, or an entrepreneur, DigiRoads empowers individuals to master digital marketing strategies that drive tangible success.

DigiRoads: Where Learning Meets Real-World Implementation

With the rapid expansion of the digital economy, the demand for skilled digital marketers has skyrocketed. Companies are constantly looking for professionals who can optimize campaigns, analyze data, and execute marketing strategies effectively. DigiRoads was founded with a mission to bridge the gap between conventional education and real-world application, ensuring students not only understand marketing concepts but also implement them through practical training and live projects.

From Humble Beginnings to a Digital Powerhouse

Laying the Foundation: Building Expertise & Delivering Results

DigiRoads was founded in 2015 by two visionary BITS Pilani alumni, who sought to revolutionize digital marketing education. The early years were focused on helping businesses enhance their digital presence through SEO, PPC, and social media marketing.

During this period, DigiRoads achieved:

SEO Excellence: Ranked over 200+ websites on the first page of Google, boosting organic traffic for businesses across industries.
PPC Mastery: Created high-performing ad campaigns that tripled ROI for startups and established enterprises.
Social Media Growth: Launched viral marketing campaigns that increased audience engagement by 150%.

These achievements positioned DigiRoads as a trusted digital marketing partner for businesses seeking data-driven strategies and measurable growth.

The Rise of DigiRoads Classes

As the demand for skilled digital marketers surged, DigiRoads took a significant step in 2023 by launching DigiRoads Classes, a career-focused training institute designed to provide hands-on learning experiences. Unlike traditional training programs that focus only on theory, DigiRoads Classes ensures students actively implement strategies on live projects, preparing them for real-world marketing challenges. The institute offers specialized courses, including SEO Course, PPC Course, Social Media Marketing Course, Performance Marketing, Content Marketing, and Web Analytics. Each program is tailored to industry standards, equipping students with the most in-demand skills.

Since its inception, DigiRoads Classes has successfully trained over 500+ students, many of whom have secured high-paying jobs, internships, or started their own digital marketing agencies. The impact of the courses extends beyond professional growth—students experience enhanced critical thinking, analytical skills, and creative problem-solving abilities. The positive side effects include improved confidence, strategic mindset development, and the ability to adapt to fast-changing digital trends. With expert mentorship, industry-recognized certifications, and job placement assistance, DigiRoads Classes continues to be the top choice for digital marketing aspirants looking to excel in this competitive field.

Shaping Careers with Industry-Driven Projects

DigiRoads has transformed businesses while providing students with the best digital marketing course in Jaipur for real-world marketing exposure. Some of its most impactful projects include:

1. E-Commerce Brand Success

Boosted website traffic by 400% within six months using SEO and targeted PPC campaigns.
Increased online sales fivefold through performance-driven marketing strategies.

2. Real Estate Digital Expansion

Designed a lead-generation strategy for a real estate firm, resulting in a 200% increase in customer inquiries.
Leveraged Facebook & Google Ads to drive high-intent leads and improve retention rates.

3. Healthcare Digital Growth

Developed an SEO-driven content strategy that ranked a healthcare startup in the top three search results for competitive keywords.
Achieved a 60% increase in patient bookings through advanced digital advertising.

Key Achievements

80%+ job placement rate for DigiRoads Classes students.
Trained 500+ professionals, equipping them with real-world marketing expertise.
Helped businesses generate 2+ million organic visitors through advanced SEO.
Executed social media ad campaigns that reached millions of users, significantly boosting brand engagement.

Why Choose DigiRoads?

Unlike traditional training programs, DigiRoads focuses on real-world execution. Students don’t just study digital marketing—they apply it through live projects, hands-on mentorship, and performance-driven learning.

What Sets Us Apart?

Live Digital Marketing Projects – Gain direct experience running SEO, PPC, and social media campaigns.
Industry-Curated Curriculum – Learn from seasoned marketing experts who bring the latest industry insights.
Expert Mentorship & Personalized Training – One-on-one guidance from professionals with years of practical experience.
Internship & Placement Support – Strong industry connections that help students secure internships and job placements.
Industry-Recognized Certifications – Boost career credibility with certifications that employers value.

DigiRoads is committed to producing skilled digital marketers who can excel in the competitive job market. Our structured digital marketing course in Jaipur ensures learners develop a strong foundation in SEO, PPC, content marketing, web analytics, and more.

Start Your Digital Marketing Journey Today!

Whether you are looking to start a career in digital marketing, upgrade your skills, or enhance your business’s online presence, DigiRoads offers the best digital marketing course in Jaipur tailored to industry demands.

At DigiRoads, we don’t just teach marketing—we help you implement strategies that drive real results. Join us and take the next step towards becoming a digital marketing expert.

Visit www.digiroadsclasses.in or email us at info@digiroadsclasses.in for inquiries. Call us at +91-8971129995.

Business

Flipkart Offers Huge ₹26,000 Discount on Google Pixel 9—Grab the Deal Now!

Published

1 month ago

February 20, 2025

Archana Suryawanshi

Flipkart Offers Huge ₹26,000 Discount on Google Pixel 9—Grab the Deal Now!

Tech enthusiasts looking for a high-end smartphone upgrade can now grab the Google Pixel 9 at an unbelievable discount on Flipkart. The e-commerce giant is offering a massive price cut on the flagship Pixel 9, making it a great opportunity for buyers to own this premium device at a much lower price.

Google Pixel 9 Discount Details on Flipkart

The Google Pixel 9 was originally priced at ₹79,999, but Flipkart is now offering the device for ₹74,999, giving an instant discount of ₹5,000. However, additional offers can further lower the price by a significant margin.

Additional Bank Offers

Flipkart is providing additional discounts through select bank offers:

HDFC Bank Credit Card EMI Transactions: Customers using HDFC Bank credit cards for EMI purchases can avail an extra ₹4,000 discount, bringing the effective price down to ₹70,999.

Exchange Offers: Get Up to ₹38,150 Off

One of the biggest attractions of this deal is Flipkart’s exchange offer, allowing users to trade in their old smartphones for an additional discount. Depending on the model and condition of the exchanged device, buyers can get a discount of up to ₹38,150. If the maximum exchange value is applied, the effective price of the Google Pixel 9 can drop to as low as ₹32,849.

Google Pixel 9 Specifications

For those considering the Pixel 9, here’s a quick look at its top features:

Display: 6.3-inch OLED with high refresh rate
Processor: Google Tensor G4 for enhanced performance
RAM & Storage: 12GB RAM, 256GB internal storage
Rear Camera: 50MP (main) + 48MP (ultrawide) dual-camera setup
Front Camera: 10.5MP for high-quality selfies
Battery: 4700mAh with fast charging support
Software: Runs on the latest Android 15 with guaranteed updates for 7 years

The Pixel 9 is available in multiple color variants, including porcelain, obsidian, Peony, and wintergreen, giving users stylish options to choose from.

How to Avail This Offer on Flipkart?

To grab this deal, follow these steps:

Visit Flipkart: Go to Flipkart’s official website or app.
Select the Google Pixel 9—choose your preferred color and variant.
Check for Bank Offers: Ensure you apply the HDFC Bank discount if eligible.
Opt for Exchange (if applicable): If you have an old smartphone, select the exchange option and check the discount available for your device.
Proceed to Payment: Complete the transaction and enjoy your new Google Pixel 9 at a heavily discounted price.

Is This the Right Time to Buy?

With a massive discount of up to ₹26,000, this Flipkart deal makes the Google Pixel 9 an irresistible buy for those wanting a premium smartphone with flagship-level performance, AI-powered cameras, and Google’s software experience. If you have been considering an upgrade, now is the perfect time to grab the Pixel 9 at its lowest price yet.