TechCrunch Startup News Stripe’s former growth lead helps African diaspora invest in startups, real estate
Jun 23, 2025
Discover how innovative platforms are transforming investment opportunities for the African diaspora. The discussion highlights Borderless, which enables users to invest in startups and real estate back home. Learn about the challenges of creating investment collectives and the importance of security and transparency in fostering trust. Plus, hear how one leader turned salary negotiations into a savvy equity move, showcasing the blend of finance and tech in today’s startup scene.
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Equity over Salary Anecdote
- Joe Kinvi once accepted stock instead of full salary at Touchtech Payments due to financial constraints.
- Later, Stripe acquired the company, converting his equity to Stripe shares and enabling him to start his own venture.
Hoke Investment Club Startup
- Joe Kinvi and friends created Hoke, an investment club pooling diasporan small checks into African startups.
- They faced banking freezes and regulatory hurdles, managing complexity with legal help and early automation that grounded borderless.
Borderless Platform Origin Story
- Borderless originated from an internal tool Joe built to digitize investment onboarding and disbursement.
- It grew to serve over 100 diaspora collectives investing in startups and real estate in Kenya with secure, compliant infrastructure.