The annual Africa Tech Festival, taking place in Cape Town from November 14 to 16, has announced its top ten finalists for the AfricaIgnite Pitch Competition. These startups will compete for the chance to represent Africa in the Startup World Cup finals held in the USA on December 1, with the ultimate prize being a $1 million investment.
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A Spotlight on African Tech Innovation
The top ten finalists represent a diverse array of African tech innovation. Their participation in the AfricaIgnite Pitch Competition demonstrates the growing talent, ingenuity, and potential within the African tech ecosystem.
James Williams, Senior Director of Events at Informa Tech, expressed his congratulations to all participants and emphasised the rich potential Africa holds for innovation. He noted the diversity among the finalists, making the task of selecting one winner to represent the continent in the Startup World Cup Final a significant challenge.
Key Criteria for Judging
Investor and AfricaIgnite Pitch Competition judge Keshni Morar of Investable highlighted the importance of well-prepared pitches. Judges will be closely examining the granular details in the presentations, looking for a deep understanding of the startup’s market and a well-thought-out go-to-market strategy, particularly for startups at the pre-seed capital stage.
Morar emphasised the importance of aligning the pitch story with data points. A coherent connection between the narrative and supporting data is crucial for attracting investor interest.
The Top Ten Finalists
The following ten startups will compete in the AfricaIgnite Pitch Competition Final:
AsaanaPay: Headquartered in Kenya, AsaanaPay is a payments and rewards platform for minority-owned businesses. It facilitates local and global payments through various channels, including mobile wallets and traditional banks.
Tausi App: This Kenyan app connects beauticians to clients, providing professional beauty services with a user-friendly rating system and onboarding process.
Bus54: Based in Nigeria, Bus54 is a mobility technology company that aggregates intercity bus transportation across Africa.
Delta Scan: A South African engineering inspection and digitization company that specialises in creating 3D models to extract engineering value.
Oneway Connect: This job matching and recruitment software platform prioritises cultural alignment and aims to shape the future of hiring.
Ukwenza VR: A social enterprise based in Kenya that focuses on creating educational Virtual Reality (VR) content to complement classroom learning.
Hippocampus Education: Hippocampus is an adaptive tutoring Facebook Messenger bot that provides differentiated instruction and instant feedback tailored to each individual’s learning needs.
BenaCare: A Kenyan-based social enterprise that delivers affordable clinical and supportive care to patients with life-limiting illnesses.
Gradlinc: This platform is more than just a matchmaker between graduates and employers. It helps graduates prepare for the workplace and build personal brands.
Kyanda Africa: Nairobi-based Kyanda Africa offers seamless payment solutions and easy access to financial services, aiming to reduce the number of unbanked and underbanked individuals across Africa.
The AfricaIgnite Pitch Competition Final
The AfricaIgnite Pitch Competition Final is set to take place at the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town on November 16, from 2 pm to 3:30 pm. It is an open-to-all event, and attendees will have the opportunity to witness the selection of the winning startup that will represent Africa in the Startup World Cup finals.
Startups and visitors can attend for free. This event promises to attract founders, tech leaders, and investors, creating a vibrant atmosphere for the competition.
The African tech ecosystem is thriving, and the AfricaIgnite Pitch Competition is a testament to the continent’s potential as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. The selected finalists are a reflection of the diverse and groundbreaking solutions emerging from Africa’s startup landscape. The event in Cape Town is a fantastic opportunity to showcase these startups and witness the growth of the African tech sector.