Accloud

About Accloud

Accloud provides cloud-based business management software for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in high-growth and developing markets. The company was founded in London, England, in 2015 by Ross James, who also serves as the CEO. James began his career importing computers and helping small businesses digitize, which later led him to establish a manufacturing operation in Taiwan. He founded Accloud after identifying a need for a specialized solution to address the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in growth economies, particularly after the World Bank highlighted a crisis in SME job creation in the developing world. Accloud's core product is a mobile-first platform described as an end-to-end solution for entrepreneurs. The software integrates features for financial accounting, inventory management, manufacturing, and contacts management. Beyond these core ERP-like functions, the platform provides SMEs with access to affordable capital, a B2B marketplace for trading, and tools for aggregated purchasing and sales through 'Virtual Cooperatives'. The system also leverages blockchain components to help secure identity and verify core transactions. The company's business model is bootstrapped, having grown to an estimated $1.5 million in annual revenue without outside venture capital. The company's primary target markets are in southern and eastern Central Asia, Africa, and Latin America, with an initial focus on India. Accloud aims to formalize economies, create jobs, and drive social well-being by empowering what it calls "Small Mighty Entrepreneurs". The platform is designed to be a single, seamless, multi-lingual tool that breaks down economic barriers and helps close the funding gap for SMEs. Accloud's stated mission is not just to offer a return on investment but a "return on ambition".