Small restaurants and food vendors in emerging markets face numerous challenges, including stock-outs, unpredictable pricing of produce, and limited access to working capital. These issues are precisely what TopUp Mama, a Nairobi-based startup, aims to solve. Since its inception in early 2021, the company has made significant strides in addressing these pain points, supporting thousands of food businesses in the process.
Co-founded by Njavwa Mutambo (CEO), Emilie Blauwhoff (COO), and Andrew Kibe (CTO), TopUp Mama provides restaurants and food vendors with a streamlined process to restock supplies. The startup sources products directly from distributors and farmers, manages procurement, and uses its own fleet for last-mile delivery. Additionally, it offers short-term credit to help vendors scale their operations.
“The restaurant industry in Nairobi is vibrant, with countless meals consumed outside the home daily. Yet, these businesses struggle with fragmented supply chains,” said Mutambo. “Having witnessed these challenges firsthand through my mother, who ran a restaurant for over 30 years, I was inspired to create a solution.”
Simplifying Supply Chains and Driving Growth
TopUp Mama combines procurement and logistics management to serve its customers effectively. The startup aggregates products in its warehouses, which are equipped with cold storage, and facilitates seamless deliveries. Its buy-now-pay-later option further empowers small businesses to increase their order volumes, contributing to growth and stability.In addition to addressing supply chain inefficiencies, TopUp Mama has developed tools to enhance restaurant operations. These include a food delivery platform that helps restaurants connect directly with consumers and optimize their earning potential.
Expanding Reach with Investor Support
Backed by a $1.7 million seed funding round earlier this year, TopUp Mama has now raised $2.16 million in total. The seed round was led by Ventures Platform and JAM Fund, with contributions from Next Billion Ventures, Future Africa, Jedar Capital, HoaQ Fund, First Check Africa, and DFS Labs.
Over the coming years, the company aims to become the leading supplier for 50,000 restaurants in Kenya and Nigeria. This aligns with its broader vision of becoming the largest grocery distributor targeting restaurants across Africa.“TopUp Mama is empowering restaurant owners with affordable supplies and powerful data analytics to drive efficiency and business growth,” said Kola Aina, founder of Ventures Platform.
Building Africa’s Food Supply Chain of the Future
The application of technology to solve supply chain challenges is not unique to TopUp Mama. Companies like Kenya’s Twiga Foods and Colombia’s Frubana operate similarly by sourcing produce directly from farmers and cutting out intermediaries. However, TopUp Mama differentiates itself with its focus on the restaurant sector and its tailored credit offerings.The company’s ultimate goal is to create a world-class food supply chain that contributes significantly to Africa’s economic growth. For now, its sights are set on solidifying its presence in the Kenyan and Nigerian markets, where it is already making a noticeable impact.
