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, Pollen, is the brainchild of Louis du Plessis, who is the CEO of the fintech start-up, backed by Anglo African Group majority owner and chairman, JP du Plessis.

Overseas, the online marketplace where small businesses can secure loans is an enormous industry with tech-orientated companies such as the NYSE-listed OnDeck in the US and Moula in Australia transforming the financial services landscape.