Why a supplier would use it
To organise product and business information, resolve evidence gaps and prepare a clearer file for buyer conversations.
INVESTORS & STRATEGIC PARTNERS
Build the evidence
behind cross-border trade.
Crossgates is developing a platform for business preparation and evidence review. Suppliers organise their records with STIV; buyers assess the reviewed information; institutions can scope preparation programmes. Our next phase is about proving repeat use and paid demand.
EARLY PROGRESS
A starting point to build from.
5Passports issued so far
HundredsBusinesses guided in the past year
5 languagesOn the public website
Crossgates-reported progress · 17 October 2026. Guidance and Passport issuance are different stages. These figures are not independently audited.
THE INVESTMENT CASE, IN PLAIN LANGUAGE
One business record.
Three customer needs.
The proposed commercial opportunity is to make business information easier to prepare, review and use. Initial regional focus: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Ethiopia.
Why a buyer would use it
To understand a supplier’s record, the checks performed and the questions still requiring attention.
Why an institution would use it
To scope and track preparation across a cohort, with agreed baselines, outputs and reporting.
What investment must prove
Willingness to pay, delivery cost, review quality, repeat use and a sustainable update or renewal model. Market focus and proposed services are not contracted revenue.
THE BUSINESS THESIS
Good businesses need
more than a good introduction.
Product information and supporting records must be understandable to someone outside the business. Crossgates focuses on that preparation and review journey.
Our intended advantage is the combination of accessible trade guidance, a structured Passport format and practical learning from supply and destination markets.
Enterprises preparing for trade.
STIV helps turn broad ambitions into questions, documents and next steps.
A more reviewable business record.
The Verified Trade Passport connects identity, product information and the scope of an evidence review.
A shared basis for assessment.
Buyers and enterprise programmes can discuss the same business record, its gaps and the next action required.
COMMERCIAL VALIDATION
Who would pay—and for what?
Three routes to test. These are proposed commercial models, not claims of contracted revenue.
Suppliers
A defined preparation and review service, with a clear scope, fee and update process.
Validate: willingness to pay, review cost and renewal demand.Buyers
Access to supplier-authorised records and support with clearly scoped assessment questions.
Validate: usefulness in sourcing decisions and repeat use.Institutions
Cohort preparation and reporting against an agreed programme scope.
Validate: paid pilots, delivery cost and measurable progress.Pricing, delivery commitments and funding allocation must be agreed against actual capacity and supporting records.
PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT PRIORITIES
Build. Demonstrate.
Earn repeat use.
These are proposed next-phase priorities, subject to funding, planning and delivery capacity. They are not completed milestones or a committed spending allocation.
Strengthen the product.
Improve onboarding, document handling, Passport visibility and the quality of STIV guidance.
Measure: completion, reliability and unresolved support issues.Make the evidence reproducible.
Document review scope, issuance records and consented business journeys.
Measure: review time, evidence completeness and traceable issuance.Validate the commercial model.
Test defined services with suppliers, buyers and enterprise programmes, then document repeat demand.
Measure: paid engagements, repeat use and cost to serve.
GROUNDED IN REAL CONVERSATIONS
Built between
enterprise and market.
Our documented field activity spans Uganda, UK market visits and Denmark connections. The wider East African focus is a development direction, not proof of offices, customers or commercial delivery in each market.
Explore our field workMeet the teamFOR A SUBSTANTIVE CONVERSATION
Start with evidence.
Ask the difficult questions.
Available publicly
Product explanation, reported progress, documented field activity and our evidence brief.
Read the dated brief →Discuss with the founder
Business model, ownership, funding structure, delivery plan and what supporting records can be provided.
Request a discussion →Still to demonstrate
Repeatable commercial adoption, independently substantiated outcomes and sustainable unit economics.
Explore programme collaboration →BUILD THE NEXT PHASE WITH US
A practical conversation
about a substantial opportunity.
Crossgates Connect Limited · UK company no. 16731416.