Kenya’s AI-powered e-commerce, Elloe has raised US$1 million in pre-seed capital led by Philippines-based Mad Ventures.

The startup leverages AI to create a conversational e-commerce platform. According to the startup, the capital will be used to expand across emerging markets.

Elloe was founded by Owen Sakawa. The startup is one of a kind AI-powered conversational commerce platform that allows SMEs to buy and sell products online across messaging platforms.

Speaking about the funding, the founder said: “We are very excited and humbled by the opportunity to partner with Mad Ventures and join its growing livelihood ecosystem as digital ambassadors to local Kenyan entrepreneurs. The new funds will give us sufficient runway to grow our local Kenyan operations and fuel expansion into the Philippine and Southeast Asian markets well into 2023 and beyond.”

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“Mad Ventures continues to make major progress in delivering digital livelihood options to the unemployed and unbanked, in response to the demands of businesses and consumers in emerging countries. We are thrilled to be joining Elloe to broaden our collective reach and assist businesses, particularly underserved micro-SMEs, in realising their full potential,” said Mad Ventures CEO Aaron Madolara.