Simpu, a Nigerian startup that helps brands deliver better customer engagement experiences through an omnichannel solution, has raised a US$1 million pre-seed funding round to help it grow.
Simpu, which was founded in 2020, creates communication and engagement software for businesses. Its flagship product is a lego-flexible omnichannel inbox for teams that combines communication channels such as email, WhatsApp, Twitter direct messages, Facebook Messenger, SMS, and website live chat into a single fantastic experience.
Businesses can also automate workflows and connect a plethora of third-party integrations, such as core banking backends, databases, or marketing lists, to unify their siloed data for precision marketing via SMS and email.
“To achieve some sync, the average online business must combine at least eight apps daily and up to 36 apps.” Simpu’s CEO and co-founder, Collins Iheagwara, described the app as “apps that don’t normally talk or sync well with each other.”
“Consumers are also using an increasing number of communication apps.” Consumers expect to be reached through their preferred channels, posing a significant challenge for businesses. Businesses have repeatedly asked us how they effectively communicate with their customers, clients, and friends across all channels and apps. That was the chasm for us.”
Simpu has now raised pre-seed funding from a host of angel investors and some early-stage VCs, closing its round in January after hitting the US$1 million mark. The startup has over 90 businesses on its platform, with over 300 active users, but is preparing for a full launch in May. Active in Nigeria for now, the startup has a few international customers already, and plans to expand internationally eventually.
“We make money by selling a subscription per user, billed monthly or yearly. Since coming out of closed beta in November 2021, we have hit over US$80,000 in SaaS revenues,” said Iheagwara.
“We are doubling down on features our customers love and hoping that we can grow revenues even further.”
