In many island economies, financial processes remain paper-based and manual, slowing down business and exposing companies to unnecessary risk. Fusepay, a fintech company based in Seychelles, is tackling this problem head-on. With a recent $350,000 pre-seed investment, the company is building digital infrastructure that could transform how businesses handle payments, marking a major step forward for financial innovation across the Indian Ocean.
The funding round was led by Hustle Fund, with participation from Everywhere Ventures, First Check Ventures, Startup Istanbul and angel investor Ryan Nesbitt. Their combined support signals strong confidence in Fusepay’s vision to simplify financial operations for small and medium-sized businesses. In markets where cheques, cash-heavy processes and manual bank transfers are still the norm, this digital shift could significantly reduce time, costs and risks for business owners.
Fusepay is positioning itself as a licensed Payment Service Provider (PSP) in Seychelles, a move that will give the company the legal and operational framework to launch its services more widely. Its platform is being designed to handle transactions in a faster, smarter and more secure way, offering features that allow business owners to track payments, automate repetitive tasks and reduce the risk of fraud. This is particularly important for sectors like retail and wholesale, where payment processing delays can cause serious disruptions in supply chains and cash flow.
Founded in June 2024 by Vidhyasahar Thiyagarajan and Francesco Rocchi, Fusepay is rooted in real-world experiences. Both co-founders grew up helping their families navigate the frustrations of traditional payment systems in Seychelles. Vidhyasahar brings a background in product design, while Francesco contributes software development expertise honed through years of working with startups. Their first-hand understanding of the local landscape has allowed them to design tools that are practical, scalable and aligned with the needs of local businesses.
The startup has grown into a ten-person team with global experience. Team members have worked at major companies including Intel, Goldman Sachs and Y Combinator-backed startups and they bring a unique blend of product, engineering and finance knowledge. Together, they’re focused on building not just a fintech platform but a foundation for future financial inclusion and digital growth in the region.
One of Fusepay’s core products is FuseCheq, which targets the longstanding reliance on post-dated physical cheques. Businesses using FuseCheq can schedule and process secure digital payments while reducing paperwork and improving transparency. The tool is not only efficient but also aligned with national efforts to move Seychelles away from paper-based financial systems. The Central Bank of Seychelles has supported initiatives to phase out cheques and Fusepay is stepping in to provide the technology to make that shift possible.
With the PSP license now approved and final compliance checks underway, Fusepay is preparing to launch its full suite of services in August 2025. The initial rollout includes a B2B invoice payment platform that streamlines the accounts payable and receivable process. Built on mobile money infrastructure, the platform is aimed at helping businesses gain full visibility and control over their cash flow. By automating payment workflows and offering secure, traceable transactions, Fusepay is helping its customers build more resilient financial operations.
Investor interest in Fusepay reflects a growing recognition of the potential for fintech in frontier and emerging markets. The company’s backers are early-stage investors with a strong track record of supporting startups that solve real-world problems. Their confidence in Fusepay is a sign that innovation doesn’t have to come from the world’s financial capitals, it can grow from small markets with real needs and strong local knowledge.
As financial digitisation gains traction worldwide, the challenge for smaller markets has been access to technology that fits their specific context. Fusepay is addressing that gap by developing solutions that are both technically advanced and grounded in local realities. With minimal competition and a clear path to market, the startup is well-positioned to lead a transformation in how payments are managed across island economies.
This launch is more than a business milestone. It’s a moment of progress for the region. By giving businesses the tools to manage money digitally, securely and transparently, Fusepay is helping create stronger, more connected economies. Whether it’s a small shop trying to pay suppliers on time or a wholesale distributor looking to reduce overhead, the impact of reliable digital payments can be profound.
The story of Fusepay is still in its early stages but its mission is clear. By building a platform that meets the real needs of underserved markets, the company is not just offering a product, it’s enabling opportunity.
