stepforward - tecnology , lda
Stepforward - Tecnologia, Lda is an Angolan technology company that develops hybrid software, SUNMI hardware, and certified local support for mission-critical business operations. Its integrated platform serves fuel stations, retail, sports venues, and events across Angola, with Sonangol Distribuidora as flagship customer.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersLuanda, Angola
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What stepforward - tecnology , lda does
Stepforward - Tecnologia, Lda is an Angolan privately held limited company (Limitada) headquartered in Luanda, Angola, founded in 2016. The company develops and implements integrated technology solutions—proprietary software, SUNMI hardware, and certified local technical support—for business operations that require 24/7 continuity. Its primary market is mission-critical fuel station and convenience store operations, with its hybrid platform deployed at Sonangol Distribuidora, described as the largest convenience store network in Angola. Beyond fuels and convenience, Stepforward serves adjacent verticals including retail and restaurants (Rabugento), sports and leisure facilities (Playtime, Premier Padel, Clube Padel Angola), and event venues (Check-in.ao, 360FastTrack), giving it a diversified but Angolan-only footprint.
The core Stepforward Platform is a hybrid cloud-local system that unifies fuel pump control, tank monitoring, POS and convenience store operations, payment processing, certified fiscal invoicing, fleet management, shift auditing with photographic validation, and central dashboard management. The defining technical feature is offline continuity: posts and stores continue operating normally without internet connectivity, and automatically resynchronize with central management when connectivity returns. Stepforward also offers Factura Fácil, a standalone invoicing and POS module for simpler business needs, and holds exclusive SUNMI hardware importer status in Angola with a certified Technical Assistance Center. The company's architecture is purpose-built for Angola's connectivity environment and local fiscal compliance requirements.
Stepforward operates a direct enterprise sales motion with quote-based pricing and no publicly disclosed pricing tiers. Revenue is generated through three streams: recurring software subscriptions, hardware sales (SUNMI equipment), and professional services for implementation and ongoing support. Customer engagement runs through the corporate website (stepforward.co.ao) and a single commercial email contact ([email protected]). The company operates only in Angola, has no disclosed external investors, parent companies, or subsidiaries, and assembles an ecosystem of independent partner companies (Check-in.ao, 360FastTrack, Inmove Tech, Esboço Sigma) to extend its capabilities.
stepforward - tecnology , lda firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- stepforward - tecnology , lda
- Legal name
- Stepforward - Tecnologia, Lda
- Website
- https://step.ao
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Stepforward - Tecnologia, Lda is an Angolan technology company that develops hybrid software, SUNMI hardware, and certified local support for mission-critical business operations. Its integrated platform serves fuel stations, retail, sports venues, and events across Angola, with Sonangol Distribuidora as flagship customer.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
stepforward - tecnology , lda industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Retail Operations Software
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design Services (541512), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industry-Specific Low-Code Platforms (Vertical App Platforms) (HDAEAKAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Compliance, GRC Workflow & Audit Automation Platforms (HDAEAHAL)
Keywords
Where stepforward - tecnology , lda is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Luanda
- HQ country
- Angola
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices1 record
Markets served
stepforward - tecnology , lda business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Integrated Software Platform: Comprehensive software platform covering operations, payments, invoicing, and management — implemented as a bundled solution with hardware and support services.
- Hardware Sales (SUNMI): Sale of SUNMI professional equipment including POS terminals and related hardware, with official supply, preparation for each operation, and local certified technical assistance.
- Implementation and Technical Support Services: Local implementation, certified technical assistance, and ongoing support services for deployed systems in Angola.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels1 record
stepforward - tecnology , lda product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Stepforward develops and implements a unified hybrid technology platform for businesses in Angola, integrating fuel pump control, POS and convenience store operations, payment processing, certified fiscal invoicing, fleet management, tank monitoring, shift auditing, and central dashboard management into a single system with offline operational continuity. The platform combines proprietary software, SUNMI hardware distribution with certified local technical support, and professional implementation services for mission-critical operations that require 24/7 availability.
Product overview
Stepforward offers a unified hybrid technology platform combining proprietary software, SUNMI hardware, and local support services. The core Stepforward Platform integrates fuel station operations (tank reading, pump control, shift management), POS and convenience store management, payments and card processing, certified fiscal invoicing, and central management dashboards into a single connected system with offline continuity capability. Factura Fácil is a standalone invoicing and POS module targeting simpler business needs, while SUNMI Hardware represents the physical equipment layer with official local support and integration.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Factura Fácil: Management platform combining invoicing, POS, stocks, reports and multi-unit management for Angolan businesses
- Sonangol Distribuidora Solution
Products and services
- Stepforward Platform Unified hybrid technology platform that integrates fuel pump control, tank monitoring, convenience store POS, payment processing, certified fiscal invoicing, fleet management, shift auditing, and central dashboard management into a single connected system with offline operational continuity. Designed for Angola-based businesses operating critical operations that cannot stop, including fuel stations, convenience stores, and multi-unit retailers.
- Factura Fácil Simplified management platform combining certified fiscal invoicing, POS, inventory, reporting, and multi-unit management for Angolan businesses, with centralized indicators, protected access, and real-time sales visibility.
- SUNMI Hardware Supply Official supply of SUNMI professional hardware equipment (POS terminals and related devices) in Angola, prepared for each operation, fully integrated with Stepforward software and business workflows, with diagnostic, repair, and operational continuity services provided locally through the certified Technical Assistance Center.
- Implementation and Technical Support Services Local implementation, certified technical assistance, and ongoing support services for deployed Stepforward systems in Angola, including design of customized solutions, on-site deployment, and operational continuity assurance.
Quantifiable outcome
- Largest convenience store network in Angola operating on Stepforward platform
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use stepforward - tecnology , lda
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
stepforward - tecnology , lda technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature5 records
stepforward - tecnology , lda partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- SUNMIcoreOfficial and exclusive importer and support partner for SUNMI hardware in Angola. Stepforward has a certified Technical Assistance Center authorized by SUNMI. SUNMI equipment is integrated with Stepforward software and business flows, with diagnostic, repair, and operational continuity services provided locally. SUNMI hardware is used in Sonangol, Padel, Rabugento, Check-in.ao, and 360FastTrack operations.
- Check-in.aominorIndependent company within the Stepforward ecosystem providing online ticketing services. Operates with complementary technology and has its own legal responsibility.
- 360FastTrackminorIndependent company within the Stepforward ecosystem providing event technology solutions. Operates with complementary technology and has its own legal responsibility.
- Inmove TechminorIndependent technology solutions company within the Stepforward ecosystem. Operates with complementary technology and has its own legal responsibility.
- Esboço SigmaminorIndependent architecture and design firm within the Stepforward ecosystem. Operates with complementary services and has its own legal responsibility.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
stepforward - tecnology , lda competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- NCR Voyix: Global enterprise technology provider for retail and fuel/convenience operations, offering POS, payments, fuel management, and back-office systems. Comparable to Stepforward at the architectural level (integrated retail/fuel platform) but at vastly larger scale and across multiple geographies, including emerging markets.
- Gilbarco Veeder-Root: Long-established global supplier of fuel dispensers, payment terminals, forecourt controllers, and tank gauging for petroleum retail. Comparable to Stepforward in the fuel-station operating layer (pumps, tanks, POS integration), but as a global incumbent rather than a localized platform.
- Fiserv (Clover): Global payments and commerce provider offering the Clover POS platform with hardware terminals, software, and merchant services. Comparable to Stepforward as an integrated payments + hardware + software bundle, but as a large incumbent across many geographies.
- Block (Square): Owner of Square, providing POS hardware, software, and integrated payments for SMBs globally. Comparable to Stepforward on the POS + payments + hardware combination (e.g., SUNMI integration), but operating at vastly greater scale and geographic reach.
- Verifone: Global provider of payment terminals and commerce-enabled solutions for retail and fuel/petroleum merchants. Comparable to Stepforward in the payment-terminal-and-fuel-station operating layer, with SUNMI positioning Stepforward as a regional counterpart in Angola.
Direct peers
- PDI Technologies: Software and services provider purpose-built for the convenience store and fuel retail industry, covering fuel pricing, inventory, loyalty, and store operations. Direct category overlap with Stepforward's fuels-and-convenience segment and similar vertical-SaaS model.
- Yoco: South African POS and payments provider serving SMBs across Southern Africa with card readers, POS software, and integrated payments. Direct peer to Stepforward on the regional SMB POS/invoicing side and the most relevant comparable in an African market context.
- Lightspeed Commerce: Cloud-based POS and commerce platform for retail and restaurants, with multi-unit management and inventory modules. Comparable to Stepforward on the multi-unit retail/F&B management layer (Rabugento-type customers), though serving developed-market SMBs rather than frontier markets.
- Toast: Vertical SaaS POS for restaurants built on integrated hardware, software, and payments with offline capability. Compares to Stepforward's vertical-SaaS model, bundled hardware approach, and offline-resilient architecture for F&B operators.
Regional players
- NetPay Angola: Angolan payment processor and POS solutions provider serving local merchants. Direct regional competitor to Stepforward on the payments/POS layer in Angola, sharing the same geographic market and similar fiscal-compliance requirements.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
stepforward - tecnology , lda social profiles
Digital presencestepforward - tecnology , lda financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
stepforward - tecnology , lda leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
stepforward - tecnology , lda funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
stepforward - tecnology , lda M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about stepforward - tecnology , lda
What does stepforward - tecnology , lda do?
Stepforward develops and implements a unified hybrid technology platform for businesses in Angola, integrating fuel pump control, POS and convenience store operations, payment processing, certified fiscal invoicing, fleet management, tank monitoring, shift auditing, and central dashboard management into a single system with offline operational continuity. The platform combines proprietary software, SUNMI hardware distribution with certified local technical support, and professional implementation services for mission-critical operations that require 24/7 availability.
Is stepforward - tecnology , lda a public or private company?
stepforward - tecnology , lda is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was stepforward - tecnology , lda founded?
stepforward - tecnology , lda was founded in 2016.
Where is stepforward - tecnology , lda based?
stepforward - tecnology , lda is headquartered in Luanda, Angola, in the Africa region.
How does stepforward - tecnology , lda make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Integrated Software Platform is the primary driver. The others are hardware Sales (SUNMI) and implementation and Technical Support Services.
Who are stepforward - tecnology , lda's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are NCR Voyix, Gilbarco Veeder-Root, Fiserv (Clover), Block (Square) and Verifone. Direct peers are PDI Technologies, Yoco, Lightspeed Commerce and Toast. NetPay Angola is listed as a regional player.
Does stepforward - tecnology , lda have an API?
No public API is recorded for stepforward - tecnology , lda.
What industry is stepforward - tecnology , lda in?
stepforward - tecnology , lda's product category is Retail Operations Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAEAKAL, Industry-Specific Low-Code Platforms (Vertical App Platforms), with a secondary code of HDAEAHAL, Compliance, GRC Workflow & Audit Automation Platforms. Its NAICS code is 541512 and its SIC code is 7373.