The idea behind Pollen is to give entrepreneurs and SME business owners fast business loans via a revolutionary online application and vetting platform. South Africa’s first online business lender specialising in small to medium enterprises is forging ahead in the financial technology space, boasting 65% repeat business in just eight months of operations. Next generation lender, […]
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Pollen is buzzing
A new Stellenbosch-based specialist online lending firm Pollen — targeting small to medium enterprises (SMEs) — appears to be tapping a very lucrative niche. Pollen is the brainchild of Louis du Plessis, who has the backing of his older brother JP du Plessis and banking legend GT Ferreira via the Anglo African Group. Anglo African […]
Giving entrepreneurs a hand
In an environment where small business enterprises struggle to get loans from banks, Louis du Plessis and his company POLLEN are pioneering the use of financial technology in South Africa to boost their chances of success. Jaco Leuvennink finds out how it works.
SME lending: Coming up roses
Anglo African, which made headlines in 2002 when it made an unsuccessful play for liquor group KWV, is now making huge strides in backing a lending venture that services small to medium enterprises (SMEs). Anglo African — controlled by JP du Plessis, with banking personality GT Ferreira as a shareholder — launched online business lender […]
Business loans to SMEs in SA now possible within three days
Pollen, the Stellenbosch-based online business lender specialising in small to medium enterprises (SMEs), says it wants to drastically change the SME business lending space — a sector traditionally underserved by South African banks. The company, which started operating eight months ago, has done R100m in loans, 65% of which are repeat business. The idea behind […]