# Suplias

> Suplias is a Lagos-based B2B fintech that helps FMCG distributors and small retailers in Africa buy inventory on credit. Founded in 2019 and part of Y Combinator's Summer 2021 batch, it started as a marketplace connecting mom-and-pop shops with manufacturers, then leaned into its Obtainly app, which lets retailers and distributors pay suppliers, build a credit history, and access short-term inventory and LPO financing with no collateral and repayment over roughly 30 days.

- **Founded:** 2019
- **Headquarters:** Lagos, Nigeria
- **Founders:** Sefa Ikyaator (Co-Founder & CEO), Stephen Igwue (Co-Founder), Michael Adesanya (Co-Founder)
- **Team size:** About 9-21 employees (YC listed 9; later profiles list ~21)
- **Products:** Suplias B2B Marketplace, Obtainly, Inventory Financing, LPO Financing, Distributor & Sales Team Apps
- **Notable:** Accepted into Y Combinator's Summer 2021 batch, part of its largest group of African startups to date., Sustained 40% month-over-month growth for 11 consecutive months in its early marketplace phase (YC cites ~32% MoM revenue growth)., Bootstrapped early growth from personal savings and angel checks before institutional funding.

## Products & services

- **Suplias B2B Marketplace** — The original mobile app letting small retail shop owners buy inventory directly from manufacturers with next-day delivery, plus pricing and promotion updates.
- **Obtainly** — The financing and payments app that lets retailers and distributors pay suppliers, build a credit history, and access inventory and LPO financing with no collateral and repayment over about 30 days.
- **Inventory Financing** — Short-term credit for retailers and distributors to purchase stock, with fast approval, low interest, and no collateral requirement.
- **LPO Financing** — Financing against local purchase orders so distributors can fulfil large orders without tying up their own cash.
- **Distributor & Sales Team Apps** — Software for distributors and their field sales teams to manage orders, track performance, and process payments.

## Achievements

- Accepted into Y Combinator's Summer 2021 batch, part of its largest group of African startups to date.
- Sustained 40% month-over-month growth for 11 consecutive months in its early marketplace phase (YC cites ~32% MoM revenue growth).
- Bootstrapped early growth from personal savings and angel checks before institutional funding.
- Pivoted from marketplace to inventory financing based on direct retailer feedback, launching the Obtainly app.
- Serves a customer base that is roughly 70% women shop owners.

## Latest updates

- **2021-08** — Suplias joins Y Combinator's S21 batch and raises seed funding to grow its B2B marketplace.
- **2023** — Company leans into financing, rolling out the Obtainly app for payments, credit histories, and inventory/LPO loans.
- **2024-11** — Coverage highlights Suplias's pivot to B2B inventory financing for informal retailers under CEO Sefa Ikyaator.

## Links

- Website: https://suplias.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/suplias
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/suplias
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/suplias/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/suplias-yc-s21
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-07-30