iPOS, the entity born from the salvaged assets of failed agritech firm iProcure, has secured a strategic minority investment from solar irrigation provider SunCulture. This deal marks a significant development in the African B2B e-commerce landscape, which has faced a turbulent period. The partnership brings together iPOS CEO Mahia-John Mahiaini and SunCulture CEO Samir Ibrahim to pioneer a new, asset-light model for agricultural trade.
From Ashes to an Asset-Light Model
iProcure, once a prominent agritech startup with over $17 million in funding, collapsed into administration in May 2024 due to high operational costs. In a strategic salvage operation, Mahiaini acquired the company's core intellectual property to form iPOS, stripping away the capital-intensive logistics and warehousing model. The new entity focuses solely on the valuable software stack, a Point of Sale (POS) system designed specifically for agrodealers.
A New Focus on Financial Infrastructure
The transition from iProcure to iPOS reflects a broader market correction, moving away from low-margin logistics towards scalable software and financial services. iPOS is repositioning its platform as the financial infrastructure for B2B trade, enhancing its core POS system with an integrated marketplace. This new model allows retailers to order inventory and access embedded financing, a critical service for small businesses in the sector.
The SunCulture Synergy
SunCulture's investment provides more than just capital; it creates a powerful strategic alliance built on shared networks and expertise in agricultural finance. The partnership will leverage iPOS's extensive dealer network to distribute SunCulture's products, including its flagship financing solution, Kilimo Boost. This collaboration provides SunCulture with a digital pathway to thousands of rural retail points, significantly expanding its market reach and impact.
A Collaborative Ecosystem for Agriculture
The partnership enables a seamless integration of services, creating a more robust agricultural value chain for smallholder farmers. SunCulture customers can now access input loans through the Kilimo Boost product, redeemable via QR codes at participating iPOS agrodealers. Furthermore, SunCulture is placing demo units and branding in select iPOS shops, bringing climate-smart technology and financing closer to the end-user.
Navigating the Post-B2B Winter Landscape
This development arrives as the African B2B sector emerges from a challenging period that saw the collapse of companies like Copia Global and major restructuring at Twiga Foods. The iPOS pivot from an asset-heavy to an asset-light, fintech-driven model is being closely watched as a potential blueprint for sustainable growth. Early signs are promising, with the company reporting that its platform has already recaptured 10% of Kenya's agrodealers.
The strategic investment by SunCulture into iPOS represents a significant vote of confidence in a leaner, technology-first approach to solving challenges in Africa's agricultural supply chain. By combining a proven software platform with deep expertise in asset financing, the partnership aims to build a more connected and efficient ecosystem. This collaboration could signal a turning point for the B2B sector, demonstrating a viable path toward profitability and scalable impact.