Kafene

Kafene, Inc. is a financial technology company that provides lease-to-own (LTO) financing solutions. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in New York City, Kafene is dedicated to empowering flexible ownership solutions for underserved customers across the United States. The company partners with retailers to offer these LTO options for a variety of durable goods, including furniture, appliances, electronics, and tires. This enables merchants to expand their customer base by catering to individuals with prime and nonprime credit profiles. [3, 8, 10]

Kafene's platform utilizes cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, incorporating over 20,000 data inputs to underwrite and approve customers. [6, 9, 18] This data-driven approach allows for a near-instantaneous approval process and aims to provide a best-in-class experience for both merchants and consumers. [3, 9] A key differentiator for Kafene is its tiered, risk-based pricing model, which tailors lease terms to each customer's unique risk profile – an innovative approach in the LTO industry. The company emphasizes transparency and consumer education, and notably, reports payment history to all three major credit bureaus, offering customers an opportunity to build a positive credit history. [2, 14] Since its inception, Kafene has facilitated significant incremental sales for its retail partners and has been recognized for its growth and workplace culture, including being named to Forbes' list of America's Best Startup Employers. [3, 8]