Julaya Company Profile

Background

Overview

Julaya is a fintech company founded in 2018 by Mathias Léopoldie and Charles Talbot. The company specializes in providing digital payment solutions tailored for businesses and public institutions in West Africa. Julaya's platform enables seamless financial operations, including fund transfers to mobile money, mobile banking, and traditional bank accounts, instant bill payments, and cash collection via mobile money networks. The name "Julaya," meaning "commerce" in Bambara, reflects the company's mission to digitize corporate financial transactions and enhance operational efficiency.

Mission and Vision

Julaya aims to simplify financial operations for businesses and public institutions in West Africa by offering an intuitive and secure platform that centralizes various financial activities. The company's vision is to drive the digital transformation of business payments across the region, fostering financial inclusion and operational efficiency.

Industry Significance

Operating within the fintech industry, Julaya addresses the challenges faced by businesses in managing payments, especially in regions with limited access to traditional banking infrastructure. By providing a unified digital account, Julaya facilitates secure and efficient financial transactions, contributing to the broader adoption of digital financial services in West Africa.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

• Digital Payment Solutions: Develop and offer a comprehensive platform that enables businesses to manage payments, collections, and financial operations digitally.

• Regional Expansion: Extend services across West Africa, establishing a presence in countries such as Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Benin, and Togo.

• Financial Inclusion: Promote financial inclusion by providing accessible digital payment solutions to both banked and unbanked populations.

Areas of Specialization

• B2B Digital Payments: Facilitate secure and efficient transactions between businesses and their partners, including suppliers and employees.

• Mobile Money Integration: Integrate with various mobile money networks to enable seamless fund transfers and collections.

• Expense Management: Offer tools for tracking and managing business expenses, enhancing financial transparency and control.

Key Technologies Utilized

• Digital Payment Infrastructure: Develop and maintain a robust platform capable of handling high transaction volumes securely.

• Mobile Money APIs: Integrate with APIs from telecom operators to facilitate mobile money transactions.

• Data Analytics: Utilize analytics tools to provide insights into transaction patterns and financial performance.

Primary Markets Targeted

• Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Provide scalable solutions to help SMEs digitize their financial operations.

• Large Corporations: Offer enterprise-grade solutions for large organizations to manage complex payment processes.

• Government Institutions: Support public sector entities in streamlining financial transactions and promoting transparency.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

• 2018: Raised $250,000 in a pre-seed round from angel investors.

• 2019/2020: Secured $550,000 in a seed round from angel investors.

• July 2021: Raised $2 million in a pre-Series A round led by corporate venture capital firms Orange Ventures and MFS Africa Frontiers, with participation from Saviu Ventures, Launch Africa Ventures, 50 Partners Capital, and business angels from Europe and Africa.

• September 2022: Completed a $5 million extension round led by European venture capital fund Speedinvest, with participation from EQ2 Ventures, Kibo Ventures, Unpopular Ventures, Jedar Capital, and existing investors.

• October 2025: Secured $1.4 million in growth financing from CDC-CI Capital, structured as convertible bonds to support expansion and product development.

Total Funds Raised

As of October 2025, Julaya has raised a total of approximately $8.4 million across multiple funding rounds.

Notable Investors

• Orange Ventures: Corporate venture capital arm of Orange Group.

• MFS Africa Frontiers: Investment arm of MFS Africa.

• Speedinvest: European venture capital fund.

• CDC-CI Capital: Wholly owned subsidiary of the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations de Côte d’Ivoire.

Utilization of Capital

The funds have been allocated towards:

• Market Expansion: Establishing operations in new West African countries, including Benin, Togo, and Burkina Faso.

• Product Development: Enhancing the digital payment platform and integrating new features.

• Operational Infrastructure: Building the necessary infrastructure to support increased transaction volumes and customer acquisition.

Pipeline Development

Key Pipeline Candidates

Julaya's primary focus is on expanding its digital payment solutions across West Africa, with particular emphasis on:

• New Market Entries: Launching services in Benin, Togo, and Burkina Faso.

• Product Enhancements: Developing features such as corporate expense management tools and credit products targeting SMEs.

Stages of Development

• Market Expansion: Ongoing efforts to establish a presence in new countries and onboard local businesses.

• Product Development: Continuous improvement of the platform based on user feedback and market needs.

Target Conditions

The company aims to address the financial management challenges faced by businesses in regions with limited access to traditional banking services, promoting financial inclusion and operational efficiency.

Anticipated Milestones

• Short-Term: Launch services in Benin, Togo, and Burkina Faso within the next 12 months.

• Medium-Term: Achieve a significant increase in transaction volumes and customer base across the new markets.

• Long-Term: Establish Julaya as a leading digital payment platform in West Africa, serving a diverse range of businesses and institutions.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

• Digital Payment Platform: A secure and scalable platform that supports various payment methods, including mobile money, bank transfers, and bill payments.

• Cash & Collect Solution: A service that enables businesses to collect cash payments securely and efficiently, particularly beneficial for sectors like FMCG.

Significant Scientific Methods

• Data Analytics: Utilizing data analytics to provide insights into transaction patterns and financial performance, aiding in decision-making and strategy development.

• API Integrations: Integrating with APIs from telecom operators and financial institutions to facilitate seamless transactions across different platforms.

Leadership Team

Key Executives

• Mathias Léopoldie: Co-founder and CEO. Holds a dual master's degree in Corporate and Public Management from HEC Paris and Sciences Po, with further studies at The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Prior to founding Julaya, he worked at LemonWay, focusing on expanding services in Mali and Burkina Faso.

• Charles Talbot: Co-founder and CTO. Also previously worked at LemonWay, contributing to the company's growth in West Africa.

Leadership Changes

As of the latest available information, there have been no significant changes or appointments within Julaya's leadership team.

Market and Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The fintech sector in West Africa is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing mobile money adoption and the need for digital financial services. The market is characterized by a high demand for secure and efficient payment solutions, presenting opportunities for companies like Julaya to expand their offerings.

Competitor Analysis

• Paystack: A Nigerian fintech company providing payment processing solutions for businesses.

• Flutterwave: A Nigerian company offering payment infrastructure for global merchants and payment service providers.

• HUB2: A fintech company operating in the B2B payments sector in West Africa.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Julaya has established partnerships with various banks and mobile money networks in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Benin, and Togo, enabling seamless fund transfers and collections. Notable investors include Orange Ventures, MFS Africa Frontiers, Speedinvest, and CDC-CI Capital.

Operational Insights

Julaya differentiates itself through its comprehensive digital payment platform, integrating multiple payment methods and offering features like the Cash & Collect solution. The company's focus on financial inclusion and operational efficiency positions it favorably in the competitive landscape.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Strategic Roadmap

• Short-Term: Focus on expanding services in existing markets and launching in new countries within West Africa.

• Medium-Term: Enhance product offerings, including the development of credit products targeting SMEs and improved expense management tools.

• Long-Term: Establish Julaya as a leading digital payment platform across West Africa, providing comprehensive financial solutions for businesses and institutions.