Sendana: Building the Future of Finance from the Caribbean to Africa

When Monique Powell, well-known as the founder of QuickCart and a long-time member of the Kingston BETA Tech Community, launched Sendana, it wasn’t just another startup story. It was a mission born out of lived frustration and a fierce determination to ensure the Caribbean isn’t left behind in the global financial revolution.

The Caribbean Problem, the African Opportunity

In a LinkedIn post recently, Powell noted that Sendana could get to market much faster by launching in Africa first. And she’s right: Africa’s infrastructure supporting non-traditional financial rails is already far more advanced than what exists in the Caribbean.

But here’s the twist,Powell insists on including the Caribbean from day one. Why? Because it’s personal.

As she explains, “Being from the region and having previously built a startup here, I know what it feels like to be stifled by inadequate financial systems. Features and platforms that are taken for granted in more developed countries often aren’t available here. In many respects, our financial infrastructure has fallen behind. And when global platforms expand internationally, they frequently neglect to fully support us.”

That reality leaves 46 million Caribbean people underserved. And Powell is determined to change that.

The First Step: Empowering a New Workforce

Sendana is starting by providing freelancers, remote workers, content creators, and other professionals across the Caribbean with the tools they need to connect to the global economy. That includes:

• Easy access to USD accounts
• The ability to collect payments from overseas
• USDc wallets to protect against local inflation
• Seamless transfers back to local accounts when needed

It’s a simple but transformative set of tools for individuals and businesses who have long been locked out of the digital financial systems that others take for granted.

A Global Banking and Money Transfer Platform

Sendana isn’t just building a product. It’s building the foundations of a global banking and money transfer platform—one designed specifically to serve both the Caribbean and Africa. Two regions that are rich in talent, resilient in spirit, but underserved by traditional financial systems.

And now, Sendana has gained two powerful partners to make this vision a reality.

Backed by DraperU Ventures & Stellar Development Foundation

Sendana has been officially named a portfolio company of both DraperU Ventures and the Stellar Development Foundation. Out of more than 500 applicants worldwide, it was one of only 10 companies selected to receive investment and join the prestigious Embark Accelerator.

This milestone isn’t just about funding. It’s about alignment. Stellar’s mission—to use blockchain to expand financial access and create real-world impact—sits squarely at the heart of what Sendana is building. And working alongside the Draper University team only strengthens that foundation.

From successfully completing the DraperU/Stellar Founder Residency to now stepping into this new phase, Powell makes one thing clear: Sendana is just getting started.

Why This Matters for the Caribbean

For too long, the Caribbean has been an afterthought in the global tech and financial landscape. Startups like Sendana are rewriting that story by insisting that the region be included—this time from the start, not as an afterthought.

As Powell frames it, “The future of finance for the Caribbean and Africa looks brighter than ever—and we’re building it.”