Oval Finance Company Profile

Background

Overview

Oval Finance is a financial technology company founded in 2022, headquartered in Dover, Delaware, United States. The company specializes in providing a unified API that enables businesses to access a range of financial services, including payments, banking, and card issuing. This integration simplifies the embedding of financial products into existing platforms and workflows, particularly targeting the African market.

Mission and Vision

Oval Finance's mission is to democratize access to robust financial services by offering seamless integration solutions that connect emerging markets to global financial systems. The company's vision is to accelerate financial innovation and inclusion across the African continent by providing businesses with the tools to offer comprehensive financial solutions to their customers.

Primary Area of Focus

Oval Finance focuses on delivering a comprehensive gateway to alternative financial services in Africa, enabling businesses to integrate payments, banking, and card issuing functionalities through a single API. This approach addresses the challenges faced by fintechs, institutions, and enterprises in accessing and integrating diverse financial services due to fragmented infrastructure and regulatory complexities.

Industry Significance

In the rapidly evolving fintech landscape, Oval Finance plays a crucial role by streamlining the integration of financial services, thereby reducing development time and operational overhead for businesses. By facilitating access to decentralized finance (DeFi) yields and supporting cross-border settlements via stablecoins, Oval Finance contributes to the modernization and inclusivity of financial systems in emerging markets.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

Unified API Integration: Provide a single integration point for businesses to access diverse financial services, including payments, banking, and card issuing.

Financial Inclusion: Enhance financial inclusion by enabling businesses to offer comprehensive financial solutions to underserved populations.

DeFi Integration: Facilitate access to decentralized finance yields, allowing businesses to offer high-interest savings products to their customers.

Specific Areas of Specialization

Alternative Financial Services: Offer access to a range of financial services beyond traditional banking, including DeFi yields and cross-border settlements via stablecoins.

Market Expansion: Focus on expanding financial services in emerging markets, particularly in Africa, by providing businesses with the tools to integrate global financial systems.

Key Technologies Utilized

Unified API Platform: Develop and maintain a robust API platform that supports seamless integration of various financial services.

DeFi Protocols: Leverage decentralized finance protocols to offer high-interest savings products and facilitate cross-border settlements.

Stablecoin Technology: Utilize stablecoins to enable secure and efficient cross-border transactions, mitigating currency volatility risks.

Primary Markets or Conditions Targeted

Emerging Markets: Target businesses operating in emerging markets, particularly in Africa, seeking to integrate comprehensive financial services.

Fintech Companies: Provide fintech companies with the infrastructure to offer diverse financial products to their customers.

Enterprises and Financial Institutions: Assist enterprises and financial institutions in modernizing their financial offerings and expanding their reach.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

Oval Finance has raised over $3 million in funding.

Recent Funding Rounds

Series A: Raised $3 million, led by Tioga Capital Partners.

Notable Investors

Tioga Capital Partners: Participated in the Series A funding round.

Intended Utilization of Capital

The capital raised is intended to support the expansion of Oval Finance's API platform, enhance the integration of DeFi services, and facilitate the company's growth in emerging markets, particularly in Africa.

Pipeline Development

Key Pipeline Candidates

Yield API: A product that provides access to high-interest USD-denominated savings rates, powered by USD-stablecoin yield.

Oval Treasury: A product designed for treasury managers, enabling them to turn balance sheets and idle capital into productive assets earning revenue, with the ability to withdraw funds at will with no lockups.

Stages of Development

Yield API: Launched and operational, offering businesses the ability to integrate high-interest savings products into their platforms.

Oval Treasury: In development, aiming to provide treasury managers with tools to optimize capital utilization and generate revenue.

Target Conditions

Yield API: Designed to address the need for high-interest savings products in markets with high inflation and currency depreciation.

Oval Treasury: Aims to assist enterprises and financial institutions in optimizing their treasury operations and capital management.

Relevant Timelines for Anticipated Milestones

Yield API: Operational since 2022, with ongoing enhancements and integrations.

Oval Treasury: Expected to be launched in 2023, with initial deployments planned in select markets.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

Unified API Platform: A proprietary platform that enables seamless integration of various financial services, reducing the complexity for businesses.

DeFi Integration Framework: A framework that allows businesses to access decentralized finance yields without dealing with the complexities of crypto.

Significant Scientific Methods

Automated Yield Optimization: Utilizes algorithms to optimize yield generation from DeFi protocols, ensuring competitive returns for users.

Risk Management Protocols: Employs advanced risk assessment and management techniques to ensure the security and compliance of financial transactions.

Leadership Team

Key Executives

Haleemah Folagbade: Co-founder and CEO, based in Lagos, Nigeria. A data-driven product manager with interests in fintech, education, and real estate technology products.

Key Contributions

Haleemah Folagbade: Led the development and launch of Oval Finance's API platform, focusing on integrating DeFi services and expanding into emerging markets.

Leadership Changes

As of December 2025, there have been no publicly reported significant changes or appointments within Oval Finance's leadership team.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The fintech industry, particularly in Africa, is experiencing rapid growth, with increasing demand for integrated financial services and DeFi solutions. Businesses are seeking efficient ways to offer comprehensive financial products to their customers, creating a competitive landscape for companies like Oval Finance.

Competitor Analysis

Fintech Companies: Various fintech startups are emerging in the African market, offering diverse financial services and competing for market share.

Traditional Financial Institutions: Banks and financial institutions are also expanding their digital offerings, posing competition to fintech companies.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Oval Finance collaborates with financial institutions and fintech companies committed to supporting small business growth, ensuring a broad network of partners to enhance service delivery.

Operational Insights

Oval Finance differentiates itself by offering a unified API platform that simplifies the integration of diverse financial services, reducing operational complexity for businesses. Its focus on DeFi integration and stablecoin technology provides a competitive edge in offering high-interest savings products and efficient cross-border transactions.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Oval Finance plans to expand its product offerings to include unsecured credit, crypto-asset exposure, and cross-border payments, positioning itself as a comprehensive financial services provider. The company's current strengths in API integration and DeFi services position it well to achieve these objectives.