About Lula
Lula is a company based in Cape Town (South Africa) founded in 2014 by Trevor Gosling and Neil Welman. It operates as a FinTech, and Usage + Subscription Mix. Lula has raised $41.5 million across 6 funding rounds from investors including International Finance Corporation, Accion and Quona. Lula offers products and services including Revolving Capital Facility, Capital Advance, Lulapay, and Business Banking Account. Lula operates in a competitive market with competitors including Retail Capital, WesBank, Bridgement, FundingHub and EVVA Finanzas, among others.
- Headquarter Cape Town, South Africa
- Founders Trevor Gosling, Neil Welman
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Sectors
Financial Services
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Email
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Phone
*********
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Website
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Social
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- Legal Name Lula Lend (Pty) Ltd
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Annual Revenue
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Net Profit
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EBITDA
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Total Equity Funding
$41.5 M (USD)
in 6 rounds
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Latest Funding Round
$20 M (USD), Debt – Conventional
Feb 04, 2026
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Investors
International Finance Corporation
& 10 more
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Employee Count
Employee Count
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Products & Services of Lula
Lula offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services, including Revolving Capital Facility, Capital Advance, Lulapay, and Business Banking Account. The company's diverse product and service offerings are designed to meet the evolving needs of its customers, address market demands, and provide comprehensive solutions that drive value creation and customer satisfaction across various segments and use cases.
Flexible funding is provided for SME working capital needs.
Fixed funding is offered with clear repayment terms for SMEs.
Instant payment is enabled for SMEs with customer terms.
Digital banking accounts are provided for SME financial management.
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Funding Insights of Lula
Lula has successfully raised a total of $41.5M across 6 strategic funding rounds. The most recent funding activity was a Debt – Conventional round of $20 million completed in February 2026. This substantial capital infusion reflects strong investor confidence in the company's business model, growth potential, and market opportunities. The funding enables strategic expansion, product development, market penetration, and operational scaling to drive long-term value creation and competitive advantage.
- Total Funding Total Funding
- Total Rounds 6
- Last Round Debt – Conventional — $20.0M
- First Round First Round
- Investors Count 11
| Date | Amount | Transaction Name | Valuation | Lead Investors | Investors |
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| Feb, 2026 | Amount | Debt – Conventional - Lula | Valuation |
investors |
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| Nov, 2025 | Amount | Debt – Conventional - Lula | Valuation | IFC |
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| Feb, 2023 | Amount | Series B - Lula | Valuation | Lightrock |
| Date | Amount | Transaction Name | Valuation | Lead Investors | Investors |
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| Jul, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
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| Feb, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
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| Jan, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
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| Feb, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
Investors in Lula
Lula has secured backing from 11 investors, including venture fund and institutional investors. Prominent investors backing the company include International Finance Corporation, Accion and Quona. This diverse investor base provides strategic capital, industry expertise, and valuable network connections that support the company's growth initiatives, market expansion, and long-term value creation.
| Investor | Description | Founded Year | Domain | Location |
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IFC is focused on private sector development in emerging markets.
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Founded Year | Domain | Location | |
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Diversified investment portfolios are managed for various clients.
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Founded Year | Domain | Location | |
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Investments are directed toward growth-stage companies generating scalable impact.
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Founded Year | Domain | Location |
| Investor | Description | Founded Year | Domain | Location |
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Single family office of Amitabh Bachchan, founder of Amitabh Bachchan Corporation or AB CORP
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Founded Year | Domain | Location | |
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Startup ecosystems are ignited through strategic investments by Signite Partners.
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Founded Year | Domain | Location | |
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Venture capital is directed toward companies in multiple sectors.
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Founded Year | Domain | Location | |
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Venture capital is invested in cybersecurity, fintech, and AI startups.
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Founded Year | Domain | Location |
Investments & Acquisitions by Lula
| Company Name | Description | Domain | Location | Founded Year | Amount |
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Bionic investment advisor platform
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2016 | ||||
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Fine Asian gourmet food is offered by an internet-first restaurant.
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2016 | ||||
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Physical e-commerce kiosks are deployed for rural purchases in Indonesia.
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2014 | ||||
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Fine Asian gourmet food is offered by an internet-first restaurant.
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2016 |
Financial Statements - Lula
| Date | Amount | Transaction Name | Valuation | Lead Investors | Investors |
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| Jul, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
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| Feb, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
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| Jan, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
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| Feb, 2021 | Amount | Post-IPO - Grab | Valuation |
investors |
Lula Comparisons
Competitors of Lula
Lula operates in a dynamic and competitive business environment, facing competition from various established players and emerging companies in the market. The competitive landscape includes prominent companies such as Retail Capital, WesBank, Bridgement, FundingHub and EVVA Finanzas, among others. This competitive environment drives innovation, market differentiation, and strategic positioning as companies strive to capture market share and deliver value to their customers. Understanding the competitive dynamics is crucial for assessing market positioning, identifying growth opportunities, and navigating the challenges inherent in a competitive marketplace.
| Company Name | Domain | Founded year | HQ Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
Flexible unsecured funding is offered to small and medium enterprises.
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Operates a digital hub for consumer and business loan services.
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
Online invoice financing platform
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
SMEs are connected to lenders via a business finance marketplace.
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
Digital banking services are offered to startups and businesses.
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| Company Name | Domain | Founded year | HQ Location | Description |
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
Multiple services are booked via an app-based platform.
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
On-demand services are booked through an app-based platform.
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
App based platform offering on demand delivery and ride-hailing services
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| domain | founded_year | HQ Location |
Operates an on-demand hyperlocal delivery app for food and groceries.
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Latest news on Lula
Frequently Asked Questions about Lula
When was Lula founded?
Lula was founded in 2014 and raised its 1st funding round 2 years after it was founded.
Where is Lula located?
Lula is headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa. It is registered at Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa.
Who is the current CEO of Lula?
Trevor Gosling is the current CEO of Lula. They have also founded this company.
Is Lula a funded company?
Lula is a funded company, having raised a total of $41.5M across 6 funding rounds to date. The company's 1st funding round was a Series B of $35M, raised on Oct 06, 2016.
What does Lula do?
Innovative fintech products are developed by Lula to support SMEs with cash flow management. Business funding solutions, such as Revolving Capital Facility and Capital Advance, are offered alongside fully digital banking accounts. Services are tailored for the SME sector in South Africa, ensuring fast access to capital and easy financial management tools. Partnerships with leading financial institutions like Access Bank are maintained to enhance service delivery.
Who are the top competitors of Lula?
Lula's top competitors include Retail Capital, Bridgement and PeuEntle.
What products or services does Lula offer?
Lula offers Revolving Capital Facility, Capital Advance, Lulapay, and Business Banking Account.
Who are Lula's investors?
Lula has 11 investors. Key investors include International Finance Corporation, Accion, Quona, Lightrock, and Lendahand.