Kenyan skincare startup Uncover raises Ksh.122M as it eyes expansion across Africa

Kenyan skincare firm Uncover has raised Ksh.122 million ($1 million) in seed capital to scale up its operations in Kenya and expand across Africa.

Uncover was co-founded by Mehta and Jade Oyateru, who is also the Chief Operations Officer, and Catherine Lee, an advisor.

The Nairobi-based startup was born out of a global VC accelerator – Antler – and describes itself as a data-driven, digital-first women's brand made specifically to address women's health and wellness in Africa.

With the latest funding, the company said it is planning to enter the Nigerian market in January.

“We are so proud of this important milestone in our journey and couldn't be more excited to have our new investors as partners. The funds will be used to fund the launching of more products, going into additional markets and also improving on our tech and data to effectively produce, reach and market to our audience,” Mehta said.

Key investors who participated in the round include FirstCheck Africa, Samata Capital, Future Africa, IgniteXL, as well as a number of angel investors.

Ms Mehta said since launching operations, the startup’s revenue had grown many-fold, which she attributed to a growing demand for its products.

She said Unfold has recorded 20 times growth in monthly revenue and garnered a loyal and highly engaged community of almost 60,000 women. 

“The rapid traction we've seen in 24 months since launch is a testament to the need for healthy, safe, and affordable women's health products specifically made for women of colour combined with digitally enabled customer education and product discovery tools,” she noted.

On his part, Oyateru said the goal of the Company Is to ensure women across Africa have access to safe, effective, and affordable skincare that's specifically made to target their skin concerns.

“We are making African women a priority and not an afterthought. I am excited that this investment will aid our expansion plans to markets on the continent," Ms Oyateru said.

Commenting on the funding, FirstCheck Africa Co-Founder & General Partner, Eloho Omame said: “Since we invested, the company’s growth has been incredible, and the team is already working on its third country entry. FirstCheck Africa is thrilled to have been one of Uncover’s earliest backers.”

Uncover uses African botanicals and outsources its manufacturing to South Korea where it is leveraging the country’s top-notch technology, labs, and scientists to create stable testing, safe ingredients, and formulations for its products.