- Kenya-based smartphone recommerce startup, Badili, has secured $2.1 million in pre-seed funding from VCs and angel investors.
- It will use the funds to expand its operations across Africa, particularly in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
- Badili plans to pursue new growth opportunities in West Africa, where it wants to capitalise on rising demand for low-cost used smartphones.
Kenya-based smartphone recommerce startup, Badili, has raised $2.1 million in pre-seed funding to expand its operations across Africa, particularly in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
The Venture Catalysts, V&R Africa, Grenfell holdings, SOSV, family offices, and angel investors from Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and India took part in the round.
Founded by Rishabh Lawania (CEO) and Keshu Dubey (CTO) in 2021, Badili is a one-stop shop for buying and selling used and refurbished phones.
It conducts trade-ins and buybacks on behalf of major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and phone dealers.
According to the startup, it has signed partnerships with brands like Samsung. It also buys from individuals.
Badili purchases phones via its platform and a network of shops and agents in Kenya.
It calculates the phone’s value using its price estimation algorithm, which it claims considers several factors, including the phone's age and model.
Per the company, the phones are refurbished, repackaged, and resold with a one-year warranty.
According to Lawania, Badili collects the sellers' information, including ID and mugshots. It also requires them to sign an affidavit stating that they are the rightful owners of the devices.
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The company has also set up a system that flags frequent sellers for extra precaution.
Moreover, Badili plans to pursue new growth opportunities in West Africa, where it wants to capitalise on rising demand for low-cost used smartphones.
