Sempli

Sempli.co is a fintech company targeting the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector in Colombia by providing digital financial solutions. The firm was established to address the significant credit gap faced by smaller businesses, which often encounter difficulties securing financing through traditional banking institutions.

The company was founded in 2016 by Esteban Pineda and Felipe Llano. The founders leveraged their backgrounds in finance and investment to create a platform that simplifies access to capital. Before Sempli, Pineda had experience in private equity and investment banking, while Llano worked in impact investing and microfinance, experiences that directly informed the company's mission to support underserved SMEs.

Sempli operates on a direct lending model, offering digital working capital loans and other credit facilities. Its primary service revolves around an online platform that utilizes a proprietary data-driven credit scoring model to assess risk and make lending decisions rapidly. This technology allows for a streamlined application process, enabling businesses to apply for and receive funds in as little as 24 hours, a significant reduction from the weeks or months it can take with conventional banks. The business generates revenue primarily through interest charged on its loan products. In addition to credit, the company has expanded its offerings to include a business credit card and treasury management services, aiming to become a more comprehensive financial partner for its clients.

A key milestone in the company's trajectory was securing a significant credit facility from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) in 2021, which bolstered its lending capacity. Sempli has also attracted equity investments from various international and local funds, including Oikocredit, Incofin Investment Management, and an investment vehicle associated with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Keywords: SME lending, fintech, Colombia, business credit, working capital, digital loans, financial services, credit scoring, small business finance, online lending