Chpter, a Kenyan startup, has secured $1.2 million in pre-seed funding to enhance its social commerce platform. The company, co-founded by Tesh Mbaabu, provides technology that enables businesses to sell products directly within social media platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram.
Chpter’s platform automates conversations, marketing, and payments, allowing businesses to convert social media engagement into sales.
With mobile penetration exceeding 130% in Kenya and social media usage averaging over three hours daily, the potential for social commerce is vast.
The startup plans to expand beyond Kenya, targeting markets like Egypt and Nigeria. Chpter’s investors, including Pani, Plesion Capital, and Techstars, see a significant untapped opportunity in Kenya’s social commerce landscape.
Chpter generates revenue through a hybrid model, combining subscription fees, transactional charges, and partnerships. The company prioritizes profitability before raising its next round of growth capital.
The world of social commerce continues to grow, and Chpter is positioning itself as the infrastructure behind this trend. With WhatsApp and Instagram increasingly becoming storefronts, the question remains: who will control the rails that power social commerce?
