Kenyan startup TopUp Mama, which provided solutions for restaurant procurement processes, has rebranded itself as Caantin. The startup aims to enhance its brand identity and platform to boost the restaurant industry’s contribution to Africa’s GDP and improve financing access for restaurants and suppliers. Founded in 2021 by Njavwa Mutambo, Emilie Blauwhoff, and Andrew Kibe, Caantin is a one-stop-shop for restaurants in Kenya and Nigeria that provides them with all the necessary supplies, short-term credit, and tools needed to manage their businesses.
Caantin is a game-changer for the restaurant industry in Kenya and Nigeria, where it collaborates with over 4,300 restaurants, ranging from local family-owned establishments to well-known chains like Mr. Biggs in Nigeria and Sheraton Hotel in Kenya. Its enhanced platform offers a comprehensive solution that streamlines procurement, payment, and financing for restaurant inventory, enabling businesses to compete effectively in the market.
In the past year, Caantin experienced significant revenue growth, with a 151 percent increase in its revenue. It financed millions of dollars in inventory, which is a testament to its effectiveness in solving the restaurant industry’s procurement challenges.
The startup raised a US$1.7 million seed round last year, which enabled it to evolve into Cantim, an all-inclusive solution that empowers businesses to compete effectively in the market. The solution offers suppliers the ability to sell and receive payments quickly, reducing the supply chain’s complexities. This has helped Caantin to strengthen its position in the industry, and Mutambo says that it has seen strong growth since making the transition.
Next Decade’s Transformation
According to Mutambo, Caantin’s mission is to drive the next decade’s transformation in the restaurant industry’s back office and cost of sales. While platforms like Square and Toast have improved payments and Uber Eats and DoorDash have enabled online stores and digital transactions in front-of-office restaurant operations, outdated methods for vendor payments and supply orders still persist. Caantin aims to provide a powerful platform for African restaurants and suppliers, fostering a supportive ecosystem where businesses can thrive.
The rebranding of TopUp Mama to Caantin is not just a name change. It signifies an exciting new chapter as the startup continues to innovate and expand. The company is committed to offering a powerful platform for African restaurants and suppliers, fostering a supportive ecosystem where businesses can thrive.
Caantin’s enhanced platform and brand identity embody the company’s dedication to boosting the restaurant industry’s contribution to Africa’s GDP and providing better financing access for restaurants and suppliers. The startup has provided solutions for the restaurant industry’s procurement challenges and aims to drive the next decade’s transformation in the industry’s back office and cost of sales.
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