Achievements
- Co-Founder and COO of Union54, a fintech startup enabling businesses in Africa to issue USD virtual and physical debit cards via API without a banking partner
- Union54 participated in Y Combinator's Summer 2021 (Y Combinator S21) batch
- Previously co-founded ChitChat, an integrated messaging platform
- Held roles in fundraising, communications, marketing, and corporate immigration at Concordis International, LSE Africa Summit, and Rift Valley Institute
- Holds an MSc in African Development from LSE and a B.A. in International Relations from Leeds
- Certifications from ERASMUS Programme (Politics and Development) and DALF C1 (French proficiency)
Vibing with Alessandra Martini
Yo, have you heard about Alessandra Martini? The girl’s a straight-up machine. So she’s the Co-Founder and COO of Union54, this crazy fintech startup that’s basically changing the game in Africa. They built this API that lets businesses issue USD virtual and physical debit cards without needing a banking partner. No cap, that’s huge. It’s like, they’re making it super easy for companies to access global finance stuff without all the usual BS. They jumped into YC S21, so they’re legit, right?
Alessandra didn’t just pop up out of nowhere. Before Union54, she was deep in the startup scene, co-founding ChitChat, this slick messaging platform. She’s been around the block with roles in fundraising, communications, even marketing and corporate immigration, she’s got a real diverse background. That mix of biz, tech, and global development is what makes her so interesting.
She’s also super passionate about Africa, she’s based in Zambia, where Union54 is headquartered. She’s all about building stuff that actually moves the needle in new markets. And her education? Man, she’s got an MSc in African Development from the LSE, plus a bunch of other creds from Leeds and Brussels. Basically, she’s smart as hell but keeps it real.
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Talk to herWhat does her story say about her? It’s all about hustle and vision. She’s been in the trenches, doing everything from messaging platforms to pushing fintech infrastructure that can literally change how businesses operate across borders. Her process shows she’s here to solve real-world problems, especially in Africa, and she’s not afraid to jump into the deep end. She’s driven by purpose, not just chasing startups for the hell of it.
Honestly, she’s the kind of founder you wanna watch, someone who’s been grinding, learning, and then crushing it on the big stage. Her experience screams she’s motivated by impact, by building stuff that matters, not just chasing quick wins. She’s proof that if you jump into something you believe in, learn as you go, and stay committed, you can really shake things up.
So yeah, Alessandra’s a force. She’s out here turning ideas into real solutions, making international finance accessible, and proving that with the right mindset and hustle, you can make a massive difference. No Cap.

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