Chpter, a Kenyan startup specializing in conversational commerce, has raised $1.2 million in a pre-seed funding round. The funding round was led by Ken Njoroge, co-founder and former CEO of Cellulant, through his investment firm PANI.
Other participants included Plesion Capital, Techstars, Norrsken, Renew Capital, and ViKtoria Ventures. Angel investors included Benjamin Fernandes, founder and CEO of NALA, and the co-founders of Workpay, Paul Kimani and Jackson Kibigo.
Chpter was founded in 2022 by Tesh Mbaabu, Mesongo Sibuti, Kuria Kevin, and Mark Kiarie. The startup aims to improve the way businesses engage with customers on social media platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram.
Its platform helps merchants simplify sales by integrating chat, order management, and payment systems. This turns social media from a marketing tool into a fully functional sales channel.
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Expanding Presence Across Sub-Saharan Africa
The funds raised will help Chpter accelerate product development and expand its platform across Sub-Saharan Africa.
The startup also plans to enhance its sales and marketing efforts to meet growing demand. Currently, Chpter operates in Kenya and South Africa, serving clients like Britam, Kicks Kenya, and Phoneplace.
Social commerce is rapidly gaining traction in Africa, with more transactions happening on platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram.
These platforms are popular due to their accessibility and ease of use, especially in markets where digital literacy and high data costs hinder traditional e-commerce.
However, many businesses struggle with managing customer interactions and converting them into sales. Issues like abandoned carts and inefficient order fulfillment processes often lead to revenue losses.
Chpter addresses these challenges by offering an AI-powered platform that automates customer interactions. It also integrates with popular e-commerce and customer relationship management systems like Shopify and Woocommerce.
This streamlines sales processes and enhances the customer experience by providing personalized engagement across multiple social media platforms.
A Vote of Confidence from Investors
Chpter’s innovative approach has attracted significant attention from investors. The participation of firms like PANI and Plesion Capital shows strong confidence in Chpter’s business model and leadership.
Several accelerator programs, including the Norrsken Accelerator and the Safaricom Spark Accelerator, have recognized the startup. These endorsements validate Chpter’s work in the growing field of conversational commerce.
Chpter plans to expand into five more markets, including Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, and Morocco. The startup’s vision is to improve social commerce across the African continent.
By integrating chat, sales, and payment systems, Chpter aims to revolutionize how businesses engage with customers on social media.
Chpter’s platform provides a solution to common problems in social commerce. By automating customer interactions and integrating with other sales systems, it helps businesses increase efficiency and reduce revenue losses.
With its recent funding, Chpter is well-positioned to scale its operations and make a significant impact on social commerce in Africa.
The platform’s pan-African success prospects have drawn the attention of top investors, who see great potential in Chpter. As it continues to grow, Chpter is set to play a leading role in transforming social media into a powerful sales tool for businesses across Africa.