Kenyan startup OnSpace has developed an AI-powered no-code platform designed as a highly customisable and efficient alternative to traditional, rigid enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and single use-case software.
Founded in May 2024, OnSpace enables businesses to design and deploy tailored solutions that address their specific operational needs – quickly, affordably, and without requiring technical expertise.
OnSpace is aimed at SMEs, agri-businesses, logistics providers, retailers, and manufacturers in emerging markets, and provides highly customisable ERPs that allows businesses to build solutions perfectly aligned to their workflows and industry requirements.
“Traditional ERPs and bespoke software can take months to implement, while OnSpace allows businesses to go live in a matter of hours,” co-founder Stefano Carcoforo told Disrupt Africa.
It is also cost-effective, user-friendly, and scalable.
“As businesses grow, OnSpace systems can evolve with them, adapting to changing needs without costly upgrades,” Carcoforo said.
“With OnSpace, you’re not limited by predefined templates or extensive implementation timelines. You get the freedom to build, adapt, and thrive with a solution that grows as your business does.”
SMEs in frontier markets struggle with expensive, fragmented software that create messy data and outdated reports.
“Most can’t afford or adapt rigid ERP systems requiring specialised and expensive consultants for setup,” Carcoforo said.
OnSpace solves all this, with a no-code platform that lets non-technical teams build fully customised apps in hours – no coding or consultants.
“Unlike competitors like Airtable, which aren’t built for mobile-first, frontier markets, OnSpace focuses on affordability, mobile use, and flexibility for businesses in Africa, India, and the Philippines. Clients include farms, food processors, and construction companies who need simple tools that work offline and on phones,” said Carcoforo.
“We compete mainly with Excel and WhatsApp as these tend to be common placeholder solutions either being used in tandem or individually.”
OnSpace is entirely self-funded, although it is now actively considering investments from angels and early-stage VCs. Carcoforo said it has a good close rate on its sales, but needs to improve.
“We are focused on agriculture and agriculture-adjacent sectors in Africa for now, but plan on building out markets in South and Southeast Asia, food production farms, processors, distributors and in some instances construction companies,” said Carcoforo.
