What Cycle Connect does

Cycle Connect is a non-profit social enterprise founded in 2014 (originally as Bicycles Against Poverty) and headquartered in Gulu, Uganda, with a US presence in New York. The organization provides lease-to-own financing for income-generating productive assets to smallholder farmers in last-mile communities of Northern Uganda, where 82% of Ugandans rely on informal networks for credit. Its portfolio spans three motorcycle models (TVS Star HLX 125, Bajaj CT 125HD, Bajaj BM 100HD), electric bicycles (introduced through a 2025 pilot), Johnstone 22HP diesel-engine grinding mills, and oxen-and-plough packages, with all products tested for income impact prior to rollout.

The business model combines low-barrier lease-to-own terms (transaction-based, pay-as-you-go cadence) with field-based service delivery through 8 branches and outposts covering 13 districts. Cycle Connect does not rely on disclosed proprietary technology; instead, its delivery model emphasizes in-person sensitization, farmer assessment, practical training, asset delivery, and in-field repayment collections executed by a 100% locally led Northern Ugandan team. The organization also operates community-based mechanisms such as co-owned oxen and Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) to build trust and reduce default risk.

Cycle Connect reports 15,000+ loans disbursed with a repayment rate exceeding 90%, 90,000+ lives impacted, and an active foundation partnership base including Mulago Foundation, Kiva, Siemens Stiftung, Livelihood Impact Fund, Yunus Social Business, New Africa Fund, Pace Able Foundation, Issroff Family Foundation, Posner Foundation, Pilot House, Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship, FEMI Foundation, Segal Family Foundation, and Peery Foundation. Revenue is supplemented by donations alongside financing spreads, and the organization is led by CEO Emmy Okkema following the 2022 transition from co-founder Molly Burke.

Name

Cycle Connect

Legal name

Cycle Connect

Website

https://cycleconnect.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cycle Connect is a non-profit social enterprise that provides lease-to-own financing for income-generating productive assets (motorcycles, electric bicycles, grinding mills, oxen and ploughs) to smallholder farmers across 13 districts in Northern Uganda.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Gulu

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Lease-to-Own Financing: Cycle Connect provides lease-to-own financing for productive assets including motorcycles, grinding mills, oxen and ploughs, and electric bicycles. The financing model is designed with low barrier loan terms specifically for deep-rural customers who lack access to traditional credit. Farmers make repayments over an agreed loan term, with more than 90% successfully repaying within the agreed period. The model enables farmers to start with smaller assets and continue investing in additional assets over time.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Cycle Connect provides lease-to-own financing for productive assets — motorcycles (TVS Star HLX 125, Bajaj CT 125HD, Bajaj BM 100HD), electric bicycles, grinding mills, and oxen & plough — to smallholder farmers in deep-rural Northern Uganda. The offering is paired with low-barrier loan terms, practical training, and field-based last-mile support across 8 branches and outposts.

Product overview

Cycle Connect offers a unified portfolio of productive asset financing products for smallholder farmers in Uganda. The portfolio includes three motorcycle models (TVS Star HLX 125, Bajaj CT 125HD, Bajaj BM 100HD), Electric Bicycles (innovative e-mobility pilot), Grinding Mills with Johnstone 22HP diesel engines, and Oxen & Plough. All products are financed through low-barrier loan terms and supported by practical training and last-mile delivery. The offering centers on income-generating assets that help farmers increase productivity, reach markets, and improve household income.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Motorcycle Lease-to-Own Financing Lease-to-own financing for motorcycle models (TVS Star HLX 125, Bajaj CT 125HD, Bajaj BM 100HD) that support transport, trade, field movement, and last-mile income-generating activity for rural smallholder farmer customers in Northern Uganda.
• Electric Bicycle Lease-to-Own Financing Lease-to-own financing for electric bicycles providing sustainable mobility that helps farmers reduce transport costs, access markets more easily, and achieve clean, affordable last-mile transportation. Pilot findings showed an 8.7% average monthly income increase and reduced transport time from 7.6 to 3.7 hours.
• Grinding Mill Lease-to-Own Financing Lease-to-own financing for Johnstone 22HP diesel engine grinding mills (optional huller available) designed for last-mile farmers seeking reliable agro-processing assets that support long-term income generation. All parts are imported for long-term sustainability and reduced faults during operation.
• Oxen & Plough Lease-to-Own Financing Lease-to-own financing for a productive farming asset (oxen and plough) that helps farmers cultivate more land, reduce labor intensity, and build resilience against changing weather patterns. Features a co-owned oxen model that strengthens community bonds while enabling farmers to hire out oxen for additional income.

Quantifiable outcome

• More than 90% of loans successfully repaid within the agreed loan term
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• eBee MobilitycoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2025eBee Mobility partnered with Cycle Connect for the E-Mobility for Impact Pilot to assess whether financed electric bicycles could improve income, market access, transportation efficiency, and rural e-mobility financing solutions. Supported by Siemens Stiftung.
• ForbesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerForbes featured Cycle Connect in an article titled 'Lifting Farmers Out Of Poverty With Bikes, Loans, And Oxen', providing media coverage and visibility for the organization's mission.
• SHONAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSHONA is listed as a partner collaborating with Cycle Connect on last-mile impact initiatives.
• Mighty AllyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMighty Ally is a marketing and communications partner supporting Cycle Connect's visibility and storytelling efforts.
• Edge PerformanceminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEdge Performance is a marketing partner supporting Cycle Connect's communications and visibility initiatives.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cycle_connect
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cycle-connect
• Instagraminstagram.com/cycle_connect?igsh=MWZhYnh6dTFvOGN3Mw==
• TikToktiktok.com/@cycle.connect?_r=1&_t=ZS-94vHp55tLpR
• Facebookfacebook.com/cycleconnectt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cycle Connect