Startup Runway Winner is Building Trust with Zero Knowledge Tech Solutions

Startup Runway | September 8, 2025

Cr3dentials empowers lenders to verify financial data from any https source securely and privately—thanks to zk proofs that keep user details confidential while affirming authenticity. Here’s how Startup Runway’s sponsor-backed support and subsequent momentum have driven real traction. Plus, a fresh wave of funding just dropped.

Founder: Elo Mukoro

Location: Houston, Texas

Website: cr3dentials.xyz

THE SPARK BEHIND THE STARTUP

Nigerian-American founder Elo Mukoro launched Cr3dentials two and a half years ago. The inspiration came from challenges in creating on-chain credit in Africa. An early mobile money API attempt wasn’t scalable, but time at the Ethereum Foundation introduced Elo to zero-knowledge proofs—a breakthrough that allows verification directly from web dashboards without relying on unstable APIs.

“Trust is a universal problem, but in Africa, it’s particularly acute. Before we can unlock a healthy financial economy, we need verifiable identities, verifiable financials, and trustworthy data.”
— Elo Mukoro

Raising capital hasn’t been easy. What began as a hackathon project at ETH Denver in 2023, evolved through fellowships and residencies like EAS, Funding the Commons, and Magma, where the idea of verifiable blockchain-based credentials gained momentum. A pivotal connection with Yele at Magma led to an introduction to Microtraction. The Startup Runway $10K grant and mentorship in the company received in June 2025 gave both validation and resources—helping them build confidence and refine business strategies.

“Winning Startup Runway gave us visibility, credibility, and momentum. It opened doors to key conversations and accelerated our path to market adoption.” — Elo Mukoro

MAJOR WINS POWERED BY STARTUP RUNWAY

Since winning Startup Runway Edition 32, Cr3dentials has achieved:

Product Launch: Available on both Google Play and the App Store
Partnerships: LOIs and SLAs with banks, lenders, and payment providers—including paid pilots
Revenue Pipeline: Secured contracts like £2,500/month from a UK lender and $0.90 per verification from a South African partner
Team Growth: Added mentors and refined strategy through program connections

NEW TRACTION: KALEO VENTURES FUNDS PILOT PROGRAMS

Adding to this momentum, Kaleo Ventures, an early-stage African VC, just invested $25,000 in Cr3dentials to help solidify its proof-of-concept and upcoming pilot programs.

This is Cr3dentials’ third funding round, after $40,000 in two tranches from Microtraction, and it comes as a direct response to tangible traction:

Cr3dentials now has pilot programs lined up with five different companies, including the cryptocurrency exchange Onboard Global
Elo explained: “After we got [initial funding from Microtraction], we really struggled to get a second top one… But once we could show traction, Microtraction added 20K more, and Kaleo also followed.”

Elo’s journey with Cr3dentials reflects the values that drive Startup Runway and the founders we support

LESSONS & ADVICE FOR FOUNDERS

Mentorship matters: With the right guidance, Cr3dentials sharpened its pricing strategy and positioned for growth.

Stay focused: The most successful founders obsess over solving real customer problems, not chasing spotlights.

Think long-term: As Elo says, “Spotlights fade, but impact lasts.”

And for continued learning, Elo recommends The Diary of a CEO podcast by Steven Bartlett—a favorite resource full of unfiltered lessons for ambitious entrepreneurs
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WHY THIS MATTERS

These lessons aren’t just takeaways for founders—they’re proof that sponsor-powered programs like Startup Runway create lasting impact. When you invest in mentorship, funding, and visibility, you help diverse entrepreneurs turn vision into traction and wisdom into action.

Cr3dentials is one story. With your support, we can write the next 100.

Startup Runway Winner is Building Trust with Zero Knowledge Tech Solutions

“Trust is a universal problem, but in Africa, it’s particularly acute. Before we can unlock a healthy financial economy, we need verifiable identities, verifiable financials, and trustworthy data.”— Elo Mukoro

MAJOR WINS POWERED BY STARTUP RUNWAY

NEW TRACTION: KALEO VENTURES FUNDS PILOT PROGRAMS

Elo explained: “After we got [initial funding from Microtraction], we really struggled to get a second top one… But once we could show traction, Microtraction added 20K more, and Kaleo also followed.”

LESSONS & ADVICE FOR FOUNDERS

WHY THIS MATTERS

GET INVOLVED

“Trust is a universal problem, but in Africa, it’s particularly acute. Before we can unlock a healthy financial economy, we need verifiable identities, verifiable financials, and trustworthy data.”
— Elo Mukoro