• Luke Romyn launched Adebt Debt Recovery in January 2026 to help companies recover debts unpaid for more than 90 days.

• The South African startup uses a technology-driven four-step process and works with certified debt recovery specialists.

• Romyn previously held roles at crypto exchange Blockkoin and financial crime technology firm Flagright.

South African finance expert and technology entrepreneur Luke Romyn is betting on digital tools to tackle one of the most persistent challenges facing businesses: the recovery of long-overdue debts.

Romyn co-founded and now leads Adebt Debt Recovery, a company specializing in the collection of receivables that businesses often classify as unrecoverable.

Founded in January 2026, Adebt Debt Recovery focuses on difficult claims, particularly invoices that have remained unpaid for more than 90 days. The company aims to help businesses convert “forgotten” receivables into cash that can return to their balance sheets and improve liquidity.

Adebt structures its service around a four-step process designed to reduce administrative complexity and accelerate recovery timelines.

First, clients upload unpaid invoices and company information directly onto the Adebt platform without completing lengthy forms or navigating complex procedures.

The company then analyzes each claim to assess the level of recovery difficulty, particularly according to the age of the debt. Based on this assessment, Adebt determines a performance-based fee structure that only applies if the company successfully recovers the funds.

After validation, Adebt assigns the files to debt recovery professionals across South Africa drawn from its network of certified specialists. The experts use their experience to locate debtors, open negotiations, and agree repayment terms.

Once the process begins, the client company no longer manages follow-ups or negotiations. Debtors make repayments in installments, while Adebt automatically transfers recovered funds to the client as collections occur.

Romyn graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in finance and economics.

After completing his studies, he worked as head of the trading desk at cryptocurrency exchange Blockkoin between 2022 and 2024. From August 2025 to January 2026, he also served as a risk analyst at Flagright, a company that develops financial crime prevention technologies for financial institutions.

This article was initially published in French by Melchior Koba

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum