Kapu, a Kenyan e-commerce startup, has secured pre-Series A funding to scale its operations in the east African nation bolstering its go-to-market strategy, strengthening its logistics network, and introduce new fintech features as well as expanding across Africa.The funding round was led by BlackWood with participation from Giant Ventures, firstminute capital, Norrsken VC, Founder Collective, Hesabu Capital, and Base Capital. The round follows an $8m seed round in 2022 to help Kapu reduce the cost of living for mass-market consumers by offering essential goods via its network of Kapu agents in neighborhoods which Kapu sees as as important for optimizing logistics and operations. Kapu CEO Sam Chappatte, and a former Jumia Kenya Country Manager, hopes that Kapu’s micro-market strategy will help it build a new retail model for Africa’s mass market. Kapu aims to prove profitability before expanding city-wide and eventually across the continent. Founded in 2022, Kapu is reportedly serving 100,000 households per month and processing 2 million customer orders annually. Kapu aims to save African consumers $1bn over the next 10 years

Advent International is in advanced talks to acquire a controlling stake in Orra Fine Jewellery, valuing it at ₹1,500-1,750 crore. Meanwhile, Meesho has secured $500 million in funding from investors like Tiger Global and WestBridge Capital, concluding its pre-IPO fundraising. Meesho plans a reverse merger of its Indian unit with its US parent and aims for an IPO in 2026, with a valuation around $3.9-4 billion. Slice Bank is also planning to raise $250 million to expand its digital banking operations.

Meesho has reportedly secured an additional $250-270 million from new investors, including Tiger Global, Think Investments, and Mars Growth Capital, primarily through secondary share sales. This brings the total funding round to $550 million. Additionally, Meesho has filed an application with the NCLT to shift its domicile to its Indian unit, Fashnear Technologies, paving the way for its future plans to go public.