Rancard yesterday announced that it has concluded its second institutional investment round led by Peninsula Capital, a private investment management company, based in Menlo Park, California. Also participating in the round were existing investors,Intel Capital, Intel’s global investment and M&A organization and Adlevo VAS Holdings an investment holding company managed by Adlevo Capital Managers (“Adlevo Capital”), the technology-focused African private equity firm.
Commenting on theinvestment, Kofi Dadzie, CEO of Rancard, said: “This investment will boost our efforts in growing a world class team, building critical partnerships and in deepening our technology base as we continue to deliver compelling technology for mobile network operators, content and service providers across Africa. We’re delighted to have Mr. King, an experienced Silicon Valley-based venture investor join Adlevo and Intel Capital to deepen the wealth of experience, knowledge and access available to Rancard”.
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Rancard in July 2012 received its first institutional investment from Adlevo and Intel Capital and has since strengthened its management bench, deepened its product technology and is better positioned in its expansion to key markets across the African continent.
Robert King, founder of Peninsula Capital LLC, commenting on the investment, said he believes Rancard has the potential to be a global softwareenterprise. Their focus on mobile communications, positions them to be on the leading edge of this space.
Marcin Hejka, Managing Director Intel Capital Eastern Europe, Middle East, Africa and Russia/CIS, stated that “Intel Capital continues to believe in the tremendous growth opportunity in the technology ecosystem across the continent. Companies like Rancard play a big role in the region’s economic growth, and it is our mission to foster technology innovation on the continent.”
Tobi Oke, Investment Director forSub-Saharan Africa, added that “Rancard’s focus on cloud-based mobile software puts it in a unique position to take advantage of the rapid growth of mobile phone usage in the region, and will help accelerate the uptake of technology and online services.”
Yemi Lalude, Managing Partner of Adlevo Capital said: “This follow-on investment is a recognition of the exciting progress made by Rancard since our initial investment in July 2012. As the mobile value-added services industry transitions from SMS to voice and data-based offerings, Rancard is in a key position to help its customers drive significant incremental revenue.”
About Rancard
Rancard is a leader in social recommendations technology for mobile content and services. Rancard Mobility cloud connects more than 70 mobile carriers including MTN, Airtel, Glo, Etisalat,Tigo, Vodafone in over 25 countries and 3 continents, and is used by brands including Google, iROKOtv, BBC, MTV, ESPN, VOA. Rancard has offices in Lagos, Accra and Mauritius and was founded in 2001 by Kofi Dadzie and Ehizogie Binitie. More at rancard.com
