Kasha, a Rwandan digital health platform, has reached a significant milestone in its growth journey. The startup, founded in 2016, has successfully secured equity investment from Sanofi’s Global Health Unit’s Impact Investment Fund.
This latest influx of capital is set to fuel Kasha’s ambitious plans for expansion into additional African markets, enhance its technological capabilities, and drive equitable access to health products across the continent.
Kasha’s Mission
Since its inception, Kasha has been on a clear mission to provide reliable access to pharmaceuticals and consumer goods through an innovative digital retail and last-mile distribution model.
The company has strategically targeted women as its primary market, recognizing them as the most influential group for household and health products, despite being historically underserved.
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Kasha’s platform serves a diverse range of clients, including individual consumers, resellers, pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics. The company offers an extensive array of products, from essential sanitary pads to vital medications, effectively bridging the gap in healthcare access.
Strategic Partnerships and Channel Distribution
Beyond its direct-to-consumer model, Kasha has positioned itself as a valuable channel partner for businesses. The startup leverages its robust sales and last-mile distribution network, coupled with advanced data analytics and e-health services.
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This strategic approach allows pharmaceutical manufacturers and global health organizations to increase access to quality health products through targeted marketing, consumer insights, and end-to-end distribution visibility to the last mile.
Jon Fairest, head of the Sanofi Global Health Unit, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Kasha has developed a unique infrastructure that improves access to health products even in remote areas. Investing in local businesses that support sustainable healthcare models is crucial, and we’re committed to helping Kasha enhance its impact.” Fairest further emphasized the potential of this collaboration, adding, “Leveraging Kasha’s technology platform to drive access in a customer-driven and data-driven way, together Kasha and Sanofi can change the game in enabling full access to quality pharmaceuticals in Africa.”
Kasha’s Growth Trajectory and Funding History
Kasha’s journey to success has been marked by several significant funding rounds. The company’s initial launch was supported by $1.5 million in startup capital from impact and angel investors, allowing it to establish operations in Rwanda.
Following its entry into Kenya in late 2020, Kasha secured a $3.6 million Series A financing from Finnfund, Swedfund, DFC, and Mastercard Corporate.
In 2023, Kasha’s growth was further accelerated by a $21 million Series B funding round, which helped the company expand its operations and scale its services.
The latest investment from Sanofi’s Impact Investment Fund represents another crucial step in Kasha’s expansion across Africa.
Joanna Bichsel, Kasha’s founder and CEO, highlighted the significance of this latest investment, saying, “It’s an exciting milestone for Kasha to partner so closely with Sanofi. Over the years we’ve seen growing demand for health products, particularly for non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension. This investment will help us raise awareness and make it easier for people, especially those in lower-income and rural areas, to access the medications they need.”
Future Plans and Impact
With the new investment from Sanofi’s Impact Investment Fund, Kasha is poised to make significant strides in its mission. The company plans to extend its reach further into Africa, tapping into new markets and serving more communities.
This expansion will be supported by improvements to its technology infrastructure, enhancing the platform’s capabilities and user experience. Kasha aims to increase its impact on health accessibility, particularly focusing on non-communicable diseases and underserved populations.
Additionally, the company will scale up awareness of NCDs and other health issues, making it easier and more affordable for people to access necessary medications.
