Following a fiercely competitive pitch battle among some of Africa’s most promising tech innovators, Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) Africa announced that South African Koa Academy has been awarded $50,000 in equity as the grand prize winner of the 2023 MEST Africa Challenge (MAC).
At the MEST Africa Challenge final in Accra, Ghana, South African team Koa Academy showed off their entrepreneurial spirit and inventiveness like no other team on the continent. Koa Academy won this highly competitive startup competition, which is well-known for finding and developing tech talent. Their innovative solution has the potential to revolutionise the education technology sector.
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A large number of early-stage tech startups applied to the competition and each one was carefully evaluated based on factors like innovation, scalability, and team strength. In the final round, finalists from Senegal, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria showcased their innovative solutions and business models to a distinguished panel of judges consisting of investors and experts in the field.
Koa Academy is a pioneer in online education in South Africa, providing engaging and interactive lessons for students in grades 4–12. They won the 2023 MEST Africa Challenge. Transforming the educational landscape in South Africa, it champions digital learning with an emphasis on engagement and accessibility, ensuring that everyone, everywhere, has access to quality education.
Koa Academy’s impressive market potential, revenue growth
The startup’s impressive market potential, revenue growth, and social impact left a lasting impression on the judges at the MAC Finale. Winning the MEST Africa Challenge was an incredible experience for the Koa Academy team, according to Lauren Anderson, Co-founder and CEO of Koa Academy. Anderson expressed gratitude and optimism for the future of tech startups in Africa. It shows how much effort and commitment everyone has put into cultivating Koa. This acknowledgement goes beyond being a mere accolade; it serves as a representation of the dedication and determination that propels them each and every day.
In the face of adversity, we have grown closer to people all over the continent, creating bonds that strengthen our mission. The team is deeply appreciative of the support and opportunities for growth that this challenge has given, and it serves as a reminder that they are not working alone on this project.
The winner and finalists were congratulated by Ashwin Ravichandran, Portfolio Advisor at MEST Africa, for their remarkable accomplishments and perseverance. Absa Bank Ghana was recognised at the event for their support, which played a role in the success of the challenge.
For new technology companies in Africa, the MEST Africa Challenge is still a must-have resource for getting exposure, capital, and other resources to help them grow. The triumph of Koa Academy highlights the promising future of Africa’s digital landscape and the dynamic potential of the continent’s tech ecosystem.
MEST Africa’s previous winner
Kwely, a tech startup from Senegal, was named the winner of the MEST Africa Challenge (MAC), a pitch competition for tech startups across Africa, in the 2022 edition.
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Birame Sock, an entrepreneur from Senegal, established Kwely, a digital marketplace for products made in Africa. The startup will receive $50,000 in equity investment, access to expert business coaches, mentors, and global investors, joining other winning startups from MAC like Kilimo Fresh of Tanzania, OZE of Ghana, Snode Technologies of South Africa, Waya Waya of Kenya, and Accounteer of Nigeria.
The startup, which was founded by a woman, beat out four other finalists from South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana. The announcement was made during the Demo Day and Final Pitch Competition in Accra, which brought together more than 500 tech startups from five African countries. The event had been organised over the course of four months.