Village Capital has invested USD 150,000 in two women-led startups, Rhea Soil Health Management (Rhea) and Regxta, through Standard Chartered’s Women in Tech Financing Facility. The financing initiative aims to promote innovation and financial inclusion by supporting alumni of Standard Chartered’s Futuremakers program, which focuses on advancing entrepreneurial ventures led by women.
The investment comes at a time when access to funding remains a significant challenge for women entrepreneurs in Africa, particularly in the technology and agriculture sectors. The Women in Tech Financing Facility seeks to bridge this gap by providing catalytic capital that enables women-led businesses to scale their operations and drive transformative change within their communities.
Rhea, a Kenyan-based startup, is revolutionizing agriculture by offering affordable and accessible soil testing solutions. The startup’s flagship product, Agripad, is a portable soil testing device that empowers smallholder farmers to improve their crop yields by understanding their soil’s nutritional needs. This innovation addresses a critical issue in agriculture, where lack of access to soil data often leads to poor farming practices and depleted soil health. The company’s impact is already being felt across rural Kenya, where farmers are adopting data-driven practices to boost productivity.
“Building a science-driven hardware-software business in Africa’s agritech sector is challenging, especially with the need for continuous R&D and market-driven innovation,” said Priscilla Wakarera, founder of Rhea. “Village Capital’s investment will help us finalize the production of our Agripad devices, expand our agent network, and strengthen our impact on smallholder farmers and agronomists across Kenya. The Standard Chartered Women in Tech program equipped us with the tools to scale sustainably and create meaningful results, and joining Village Capital’s portfolio solidifies that foundation.”
In Nigeria, Regxta is making strides in advancing financial inclusion through its tailored services for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The company focuses on providing digital financial solutions to women-owned businesses that often face barriers to accessing formal financial services. Regxta’s platform offers microloans, savings products, and financial literacy tools that help entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses and achieve financial security.
“Village Capital’s investment arrived at a crucial time, enabling us to expand our reach, secure a microfinance banking license, and enter new markets,” said Rukayat Bello, founder of Regxta. “This support affirms Regxta’s position as a high-impact startup driving poverty reduction, fostering economic growth, and creating sustainable opportunities for underserved communities in Nigeria.”
The Women in Tech Financing Facility reflects a broader mission shared by Village Capital and Standard Chartered to address gender disparities in access to funding. According to recent studies, women-led startups receive less than 3% of global venture capital funding, despite evidence showing that businesses led by women deliver higher returns on investment. By offering catalytic capital and mentorship, the facility empowers women entrepreneurs to overcome unique challenges and biases, enabling them to build sustainable businesses and create positive social impact.
Eva Waweru, a representative from Village Capital, emphasized the importance of supporting women-led enterprises in driving economic and social progress. “Women entrepreneurs are critical drivers of economic and social progress. Our collaboration with Standard Chartered aims to ensure these leaders have the financial backing they need to scale their businesses and maximize their impact. Through targeted investments, we are creating a more inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem that supports innovation and sustainable development in Africa,” she said.
The investment in Rhea and Regxta also underscores the critical role of technology in addressing pressing social and economic challenges across Africa. By leveraging digital tools and data-driven solutions, both startups are enhancing productivity and financial security in sectors that are vital to the continent’s development.
About Village Capital: Village Capital is dedicated to transforming traditional investment models to support emerging entrepreneurs tackling social, economic, and environmental challenges. Operating in sub-Saharan Africa since 2012, the organization has facilitated over 14 accelerator programs in 15 countries, supporting more than 120 startups and 78 Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) in sectors such as financial health, sustainability, and the future of work. For more details, visit www.vilcap.com.
About Standard Chartered: Standard Chartered is a leading international banking group with a presence in 52 markets. Committed to driving commerce and prosperity, the bank aims to promote economic growth through its diverse services. Listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges, Standard Chartered is known for its brand promise, “Here for good.” For more insights, visit sc.com and follow Standard Chartered on social media.
