# Zidisha

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/zidisha

- Industry: Internet
- Headquarters: Virginia Beach, US
- Website: www.zidisha.org
- Total disclosed funding: $0.1M
- Latest round: Seed (Jan 1, 2014)
- Investors on record: 1

## About

Zidisha is a pioneering platform that enables direct peer-to-peer lending, connecting individual lenders with low-income entrepreneurs in developing countries to facilitate access to vital financing.Founded in 2009 in Virginia Beach, US, Zidisha operates as a peer-to-peer lending platform designed to connect lenders with entrepreneurs in developing regions. The company was co-founded by Amar Deep and Julia Kurnia, who have a background in innovating financial solutions for underserved markets. In January 2014, Zidisha secured USD 0.12 million in Seed funding from Y Combinator, marking a significant milestone in its growth. The total amount raised by the company is USD 0.12 million, reflecting its focus on community-driven financial assistance rather than traditional fundraising avenues.Zidisha offers a unique platform that facilitates direct and transparent peer-to-peer lending, connecting individual lenders with low-income entrepreneurs in developing countries. This core service allows users to offer microloans to business owners, thereby addressing the challenges of access to affordable financing in regions where traditional banking services are scarce or non-existent. The platform emphasizes transparency and accountability, enabling lenders to see exactly how their contributions are being utilized by borrowers through detailed project descriptions and updates. Zidisha primarily serves entrepreneurs in countries such as Kenya, Ghana, and Burkina Faso, providing them with essential capital to invest in their businesses and improve their livelihoods. The end users of this service are low-income individuals striving to grow their small enterprises, while the primary customer base consists of socially conscious lenders from diverse geographical regions, including North America and Europe.Zidisha generates revenue through a model that focuses on voluntary donations from lenders rather than traditional interest rates on loans. This structure encourages a community-driven approach to lending, where lenders can contribute any amount they choose without the pressure of profit-driven motives. Transactions on the platform typically occur as individual lenders providing funds for specific projects initiated by borrowers, with each loan having its own set funding goal. Zidisha’s operational costs are managed through the goodwill of its community, allowing it to maintain a low-cost structure while providing valuable services to both lenders and borrowers. The platform embodies a charitable model of lending, emphasizing social impact over financial returns, which distinguishes it from traditional financial institutions.Zidisha plans to leverage its recent Seed funding of USD 0.12 million received in January 2014 to enhance its platform and expand its reach into new markets. While specific new products and their launch dates have not been disclosed, the company aims to grow its user base in African countries beyond its current operations, continuing to focus on facilitating access to finance for low-income entrepreneurs. Future growth is expected to revolve around increasing community engagement and enhancing the platform's capabilities to support more borrowers and lenders alike.

## Funding rounds

- Seed, Jan 1, 2014, $0.1M — Y Combinator

## Investors

- Y Combinator (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/y-combinator) — Seed