Our clients have lightbulb moments in discovery meetings when we refer to Circles by the name they are known as locally. As soon as we mention a tanda, susu, ajo, pandero, gameya (and hundreds more) and our ability to digitise this traditional community saving product... we see our prospective clients' energy change from questioning to welcoming. Local communities created these systems long before modern finance, and they still thrive because they work. One of the things we love most about ROSCAs is how universal they are. Different cultures. Different languages. Same core idea. People motivate each other. They can reach their goals faster. Members build financial confidence together. The global fintech world is finally paying attention to the product because collective action is a superpower. Digitising this model unlocks greater possibility for scale. Check out our Global ROSCA Names page to make sure yours is listed! And let us know if we've missed anything... https://lnkd.in/eVfryAJF Lucy Mullins Matthew Addison Dmitriy Portnyagin Sarah Garrett #ROSCAs #Tontines #Susu #Stokvels #ajo #hui #tanda #chilemba #gameya #arisan #pardna #paluwagan #FinancialInclusion #Fintech #CommunityFinance #DigitalSavings #EmergingMarkets #Innovation
Circles powered by StepLadder
Financial Services
London, England 1,786 followers
Award-winning FinTech leading the global category of collaborative savings. We help people reach financial goals 🎯🌍💰
About us
We are the global experts in Digital Savings Circles or ROSCAs (Rotating Savings and Credit Associations), also known by many more names around the world - susu, upato, tontine, tanda, paluwagan, chit fund, samity, ajo, pandero, consorcio, junta, pardna, money box, box in hand, group money, committee, chilemba, chama, stokvel, hui, gameya, jamiya, dart, ayuuto, ekub, mabati, pari, adasse, san, arisan, hacba, keyes and many more. We help financial institutions launch and scale collaborative savings Circles fast, safely and securely. Our award-winning platform and proven methodology power inclusive finance in markets where ROSCAs are already trusted by millions. From fintechs and banks to NGOs and governments, we provide the technology, strategy, and support to bring modern Circles to life. 🌍 ROSCAs move over $500 billion globally every year. We're digitising and optimising them to increase access, transparency, and financial resilience for communities worldwide. 💡 Whether you're exploring ROSCAs for the first time or ready to go live, we offer consultancy and a rapid go-to-market solution based on real-world success in Africa, Latin America, MENA, and beyond. Let’s build the future of collaborative finance, together. More: www.step-ladder-solutions.com Contact: m.adddison@step-ladder-solutions.com
- Website
- https://www.step-ladder-solutions.com/
External link for Circles powered by StepLadder
- Industry
- Financial Services
- Company size
- 2-10 employees
- Headquarters
- London, England
- Type
- Privately Held
- Founded
- 2016
- Specialties
- fintech, savings, savings circles, embedded finane, whitelabel, collaborative finance, financial goals, home buying, property deposit, and personal finance
Locations
- Primary Get directions
41 Luke Street
London, England EC2A 4, GB
Employees at Circles powered by StepLadder
Updates
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Earlier this week we shared how digital village banking is transforming community finance across Africa, blending long-standing trust networks with modern fintech. To help understand how these systems really differ and why digital village banking is so powerful we’ve created a simple visual comparison of Village Banking vs ROSCAs vs Table Banking. Each model has shaped financial inclusion in its own way: Village Banking Community-managed microcredit institutions, often supported by NGOs/MFIs. Structured lending. Seed capital. Governance training. A strong foundation for microenterprise and women’s economic empowerment. ROSCAs The classic rotation system found across the world. Perfect for disciplined saving and predictable lump sums. Table Banking A fast-moving, entrepreneurial model. Groups put money “on the table,” lend it instantly, and grow the fund through interest. A powerful tool for local business and household financing. As these models evolve into digital products, they bring even more benefits: transparency, automation, credit-building, and an easier path towards formal finance. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eCwq2vZ3 Sarah Garrett Lucy Mullins Matthew Addison Dmitriy Portnyagin Erick Oyugi #villagebanking #tablebanking #moneybox #tablemoney #rosca #chama #circlesaving #digitalsaving #chilemba #upato #villagemoney
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Village Banking is going digital. Across Africa and beyond, community-led savings and lending models have helped millions access funds, build trust, and grow small businesses where traditional banks could not reach. But today, something new is happening. The rise of digital village banking is blending local trust networks with fintech infrastructure, creating secure, transparent, and scalable community finance ecosystems. Platforms like Circles powered by StepLadder and Malipo Circles LTD in Kenya are showing how digital tools can modernise these trusted systems: ✅ Tracking contributions and loans automatically ✅ Building digital credit histories ✅ On ramping to formal finance and larger loans In our latest blog, we explore how village banking compares to ROSCAs and table banking and why digital village banking is the next revolution for financial inclusion. Read the full piece: https://lnkd.in/eCwq2vZ3 #kenya #uganda #bolivia #tanzania #egypt #nigeria #philippines #cambodia #zambia #chama #upato #tanda #tontine #gameya #ajo #paluwagan #hui #stokvel Matthew Addison Lucy Mullins
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How can you help small business customers save smarter, sell more, and stay loyal? For small business owners, Circles act as a simple, social, and digital savings tool. Which means that for banks and fintechs, Circles are a powerful channel that drives engagement and loyalty from SME owners. Here’s how: • Circles Create a multi-month customer lifecycle that strengthens relationships with merchants and their regular shoppers. • The community model encourages Member-get-Member referrals that attract more footfall and deposits and gives SMEs a standout way to build trust around their business. • Circles integrate easily into existing ecosystems to power promotions, offers, and everyday savings. For SME Banking teams, Circles deliver both financial inclusion and business growth helping your merchants thrive while keeping them active within your ecosystem. Lucy Mullins Matthew Addison #SMEBanking #FinancialInclusion #CommunityFinance #DigitalCircles #EmbeddedFinance #CustomerEngagement
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Circles powered by StepLadder reposted this
Rösta på Cirkly i Mastercard Lighthouse People’s Choice Award! 🌟 Vårt inkubatorbolag Cirkly är en av de utvalda impacttech-startups som deltar i Mastercard Lighthouse MASSIV – ett program som lyfter företag som skapar verklig samhällsnytta genom innovation och hållbarhet. Nu kan du vara med och påverka – genom att rösta på Cirkly i People’s Choice Award! Vinnaren avslöjas den 12 november under Mastercard Lighthouse Startup Showcase. 👉 Rösta här: https://lnkd.in/dCCxNm9A Läs mer om eventet: https://lnkd.in/dXqMBpHE Vi på Founders Loft är otroligt stolta över Cirklys resa – från inkubationsstart under förra hösten till att nu stå bland Nordens mest lovande impactbolag. #FoundersLoft #Cirkly #ImpactInnovation #Entreprenörskap #MastercardLighthouse #MASSIV #Hållbarhet #Startups
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It's inspirational to listen to Cirkly founders talk about the impact they aim to have for people in Sweden. Your vote for them in the People's Choice Award in Mastercard Lighthouse MASSIV Program matters!
Introducing the Mastercard Lighthouse #MASSIV Fall 2025 class! 🌍 🎥 Last but not least: Cirkly – Based in Sweden and inspired by traditional ROSCAs (Rotating Savings and Credit Association), Cirkly empowers individuals—especially immigrants and young adults—to save and access funds more effectively through modern, digital savings circles. By turning community trust into a secure, structured system, Cirkly offers a smarter way to save and borrow together. “We’re thrilled to join the Mastercard Lighthouse MASSIV program and collaborate with visionary partners to advance financial inclusion and economic empowerment. At Cirkly, we’re reimagining how communities save and access funds—digitizing a trusted, global tradition to make saving more accessible, social, and debt-free. Through MASSIV, we aim to scale our impact across underserved populations and bring our mission of inclusive finance to millions across the Nordics and beyond.” – Hatem Ahmed, Co-founder & CEO 📣 Want to see Cirkly in action? See them pitch live during the Mastercard Lighthouse Startup Showcase on November 12 in Stockholm. 👉 Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/dXqMBpHE Hatem Ahmed Amr Salem Mats Taraldsson Caroline Barnekow Inez Molnár Dasha Shvaikovskaya Kristóf Radnai Ludwig Kukacka Adina Henrikson Vincent Weir #Impact #tech #mastercard #partnership #MASSIV #Innovation #StartupShowcase
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When you want something done quickly, you hire an agile team…
South Africa knows how to go fast… 👟 One of my favourite things to do in Cape Town is get to SWEAT 1000 (the South African version of Barry's Bootcamp) - it’s harder, it’s hotter and it’s faster. The end of the year can feel like a sprint to the finish and from what I heard during my travels around Southern Africa last week, for banks and fintechs the race is on. The next two months will reveal who is leading the collaborative savings revolution. I noticed that conversations have moved from “it’s not on our roadmap yet” to “how fast can you implement this?” AI is helping us make Circles more personal, predictive and powerful. We can answer the ‘how fast’ question with “before the quarter is finished” (and a lot faster than I can run up a 25% gradient hill – I didn’t even know treadmills could go that high!) If you’re ready to move on getting ahead of your competition or join me for a gym meeting, then let’s chat. Andrew Rothschild Rosario Arun Andre Chauque Nuno Parente Jeen Levy Erwin Tjipuka, CA (Nam) MBA Rui Pedro David Mansaray Dr Lelemba Phiri Thando Dlungwana Ndabu Lillian Swere Haikaeli Mnzava Boma Raballa Caroline Yambesi Stephen Adili Prosper Nambaya Sumit Shekhar Ester Manase Lobore Manzi Rwegasira Bruce Jaani Oliver C Adams Owen Malambo Mary Mumba - MBA ,Msc Microfinance #SouthAfrica #Stokvels #Circles #Q4 #FinancialInclusion #race #collaborativefinance #villagebanking #FintechLeadership #personalfinance #digitalsavings
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It’s no surprise to us that Cirkly have been nominated for the People’s Choice award by Mastercard Lighthouse - Circles are, after all, a product for the people! You can get involved and show your support for Cirkly by voting for your favourite. Your vote will help Hatem Ahmed and Amr Salem and their team reach even more underserved and diaspora communities in Sweden.
📣 Take the chance to be part of deciding this Fall's favourite startup - vote for the Mastercard Lighthouse People’s Choice Award! 📣 The winner will be announced during the Mastercard Lighthouse Startup Showcase on Nov 12th. Sign up for the Showcase event here: https://lnkd.in/dXqMBpHE 👉 Vote here: https://lnkd.in/dCCxNm9A Here are the impact and fintech companies you can vote for: #MASSIV - impact tech companies 🌏🌱 Planboo GraphoGame Bisly - Scalable Building Automation Traced Systems Cirkly 🚀 FINITIV - fintech companies Swedish class: Billecta AB StockRepublic Waytobill Movitz Payments Mat Plus Finnish Class: Intuitech KotiCharge PaySaxas Quantera.ai Authority.inc Baltic class: EcomWall Midcontract INZMO Monemon Millentic Mats Taraldsson, Caroline Barnekow Inez Molnár, Dasha Shvaikovskaya, Kristóf Radnai Ludwig Kukacka, Adina Henrikson Marie-Louise Dahl Vincent Weir #partnership #mclighthouse #fintech #impact #winners
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Africa's AI market is projected to quadruple by 2030. What AI powered tech is on your roadmap for 2026?
We're already nearly three weeks into Q4 and the momentum for AI adoption and digitising traditional practices in North Africa continues to build. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago the $13 million raise from Moneyfellows and its expansion into Morocco proves that the digital group savings model (or Gameya, Gün, Dart, Gold Days) is scaling across African borders. AI is now supporting the core infrastructure of financial services across the continent. Africa’s AI market is projected to quadruple by 2030, growing from US $4.5 billion in 2025 to US $16.5 billion. At Circles powered by StepLadder, we’ve built AI directly into the platform to make it smarter, safer, and more efficient. It supports smart member matching, predictive payouts, and personalised notifications to enhance the customer experience. Behind the scenes, AI powers automated checks, fraud detection, and analytics that help partners improve compliance, streamline operations, and understand their communities in greater depth. The opportunity to launch Circles is measurable, immediate, and wide open. Q4 is the moment to build your position before 2026’s market map is drawn. My team and I are happy to share our expertise and prevent you from missing the opportunity for another quarter. Check out our website for more information https://lnkd.in/ePqd4VCj Swapnil Kher - ACSI Alex Bak Shamsa Salim Al Suwaidi Muhammad El Garem Giovanni Everduin Wael Salah Deshesha Dina Abbas Rafik Boushra Beshoy Youssef Salma Mostafa Kareem Afifi Sara Amin Kafafy Dr. Ihab Moneer Ahmed Kamal Basiouny Mohamed Wahby Hesham Hassan Ramy Essam , MBA Khaled Ellaithy Mostafa Elnahhas #EgyptFintech #MENAFinance #AIinFinance #DigitalFinance #FirstMoverAdvantage #Circles #FinancialInclusion #gameya #dart #gün
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Catch Lucy in South Africa this week if you want to chat to her about implementing Circles for your business...
Hands up if you love South Africa! 🇿🇦❤️ I’ve just arrived for my second trip within the space of a year. When I was here in Cape Town last December, every conversation I had ‘circled’ back (see what I did there) to the same thing… that stokvels are very quickly moving from community halls and WhatsApp groups into the centre of digital banking, and backed by AI innovation. AI is moving from concept to core infrastructure in financial services. Africa’s AI market is on track to more than quadruple by 2030 (from US $4.5 billion in 2025 to US $16.5 billion). Our Circles platform uses AI to support its predictive payouts, risk scoring, fraud detection and many more proprietary features. I’ve got a packed week ahead with meetings and attending the wedding of the fabulous Carla Baxter and Richard Larman, but if you’re here in Cape Town, message me and let’s make time for a coffee and a chat. Check out our site for more information https://lnkd.in/eEwbux5s #SouthAfrica #Stokvels #CircleIt #DigitalFinance #FinancialInclusion #FintechInnovation #AfricaAI #AfricanInnovation #AfricanFintech Lesedi Mmereki MSc MDP Bafana Mhlabane Khosie Dlamini-Alabi Linda Dlamini Mphile Mthethwa Mvuselelo Fakudze Charity C Mughogho(MIT Exec Cert, MSc, BSoc) Pedro Carvalho Kayinja Mfuni Kabeleka Kabeleka Muntanga Muleya Edwin Goli Mulenga, CA FRED PHIRI Ramesh Patel Mary Mumba - MBA ,Msc Microfinance Geoffrey Winchester Bartek Ogonowski Chiles Cartwright MBA IoR Given Phiri ,CCP,Msc EconFin,Bsc Econ
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