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Jesse Ghansah
Founder & CEO at Float (YC W'20)
Jesse Ghansah is a Ghanaian entrepreneur and the founder of Swipe Technologies Inc., which is part of the Y Combinator Winter 2020 cohort. Initially launched as an invoice factoring platform called Swipe in 2020, the company was later rebranded to Float, focusing on cash flow management and credit solutions for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Africa.12
Background and Education
Ghansah graduated from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, and Molecular Medicine. He began his entrepreneurial journey by co-founding several businesses, including an e-commerce platform called Swipe Commerce and a media company named OMG Digital, which operates platforms like OMGVoice.24
Entrepreneurial Ventures
Before founding Float, Ghansah had a notable track record in the startup ecosystem. He co-founded OMG Digital in 2015, which gained recognition in the media sector. His experience also includes creating Hivegig, Ghana's first online freelance marketplace. In 2022, Float successfully raised $17 million in funding, attracting significant investors such as Tiger Global and JAM Fund, which facilitated its expansion into new markets like South Africa and Kenya.24
Recent Controversies
Despite his achievements, Ghansah has recently faced serious allegations regarding the management of Float. Reports have surfaced accusing him of fraud, including claims of misappropriation of funds and providing false financial documentation. These allegations have led to legal actions from aggrieved clients and have significantly impacted the company's reputation.12
Online Presence
Ghansah maintains a professional profile on LinkedIn under the username jesseaholmes, where he connects with a broad network of professionals and shares insights about his ventures and the fintech landscape in Africa.3