Category Archives: Startups

startups

Top Tech Ideas for Accelerating Inclusive Economic Growth in the Township Economy Revealed and Rewarded

Over the weekend of the 19th and 20th of June 2021, Silicon Cape and the U.S. Mission to South Africa hosted a virtual hackathon aimed at discovering digital solutions to accelerate inclusive economic growth for local businesses in the township economy. This was the third of four hackathons which form part of an initiative called Hackathons for South Africa: Digital […]

Telecel Group ASIP Accelerator powered by Startupbootcamp AfriTech selects Top 10 startups for 2021 Cohort

Telecel Group Africa Startup Initiative Program (ASIP), with Africa’s top early-stage tech Accelerator, Startupbootcamp Afritech, has selected the 10 tech startups that will participate in the inaugural ASIP Accelerator. The program received a record 2229 applications and managed to narrow it down to the Top 10, with the help of investors, corporate stakeholders, and industry […]

Digital advertising for African start-ups

Source: Unsplash Almost 40% of Africa’s population has access to the internet, which is slightly lower than the global average of almost 60%. While this demonstrates that Africa is slightly behind the rest of the world in terms of technological advancement, their percentage of online users still equates to millions of people. Plus, with continual […]

Venture Capital trends shaping the African investment landscape

As the second half of 2021 approaches and Covid-19 vaccinations roll out across the globe, albeit at varying rates, Ian Lessem, Managing Partner at HAVAÍC, investors in early-stage, high-growth technology businesses, considers the trends making an impact on the African Venture Capital (VC) landscape. Homegrown solutions take on the world  At HAVAÍC, our investment thesis is […]

Digital Solutions Sought to Accelerate Inclusive Economic Growth for Businesses in the Township Economy

The COVID-19 crisis and accompanying national lockdown had a dramatic effect on all businesses, but those operating in the township economy were hardest hit, with 67% being unable to operate at all under stricter lockdown levels and 75% reporting a reduction in their sales[i]. Now, with the rollout of the vaccine putting South Africa on […]

Pecron S1500: A Solid Handy Power Station

We cannot think of a moment without electronic devices now. It does not matter whether we use them by choice or by need; we have to use them. The problem begins when we leave our home or office and are out of a power source. In these cases, Pecron S1500 portable power station can be […]

Official launch of the second cycle of EMERGING Mediterranean – the springboard programme for emerging Mediterranean Tech For Good leaders

The call for applications is open to any startup based in Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia or Libya that has been operating for over 18 months in one of the following areas: e-health, climate, mobility, agritech, social economy and financial inclusion. As a result of the work done during the preparatory forums for the Summit of […]

Crasner Ventures backs ‘worker-first’ social network Umwuga for its second investment

London, UK, May 2021: Crasner Ventures, the early-stage venture capital investor that supports businesses led by female founders and entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, announces its investment in Umwuga Ltd, an emerging markets-focused social network that connects workers and employers. Umwuga is Crasner Ventures’ second portfolio company. Umwuga is revolutionising the recruitment industry in emerging markets, by enabling workers […]

Solar Cow- a Samaritan for the Children in Need

The relief of indigence is the primary goal in bringing about a positive change in the lifestyles of children in Africa. To this day, 1 in every 5 children in Africa is devoid of the right to education owing to child labor. Since electricity is a dire need of people even in the utmost rural […]

Incentives For Digital Economy Production In Cameroon

By Achare Takor, Head of Intellectual Property Desk, Centurion Law Group An Overview of Section 124b of the General Tax Code Over the last decade, information technologies (IT) have revolutionized the way people and businesses carry out their daily activities worldwide. There is abundant evidence that the upsurge of technology has been a major contributor […]

Why a wave of technology giants will come from Africa

Ian Lessem, Managing Partner at HAVAÍC, investors in early-stage, high-growth technology businesses, notes a significant increase in investment demand for African technology startups. He says startups on the continent are at a distinct advantage because they compete out of necessity. As a result, they can, and very often do stand toe to toe with startups in […]

The Legatum Center for Development & Entrepreneurship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA) launches the inaugural Legatum Foundry Fellowship for entrepreneurs in Africa

Fellowship applications open on May 3, 2021 for entrepreneurs working and living in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal. The Legatum Center for Development & Entrepreneurship at MIT has launched the Foundry Fellowship, a first-of-its-kind leadership program for accomplished entrepreneurs who are considering their role in shaping the future of the African innovation ecosystems in […]

Hack the Normal | From Africa for Africa: Meet the Winning Innovations for Sustainable Living, Healthy Living and Financial Solutions in Africa

Through the Hack the Normal initiative, Defy, Africa’s stalwart home appliance company, aims to contribute to the advancement of African-led projects that  seek to secure the sustainability of trade, natural resources, and life on the continent. Defy, a leading manufacturer of home appliances, recently hosted the Hack the Normal online hackathon in partnership with ATÖLYE to inspire and […]

XION CYBERX: e-Bike of the Future

The world is going through a transition. Technology is advancing every day with newer, better and more efficient techs replacing the old ones. To decrease pressure on the use of carbon-based fuels, new alternatives are emerging that use safe and renewable energy like electricity. The hype for electric cars tore the roof ever since tesla […]

SA startup, AURA, on what it takes to go global

AURA, South Africa’s leading security and medical response platform, recently announced its expansion into Kenya, followed closely by a move into the UK where it aims to have over 10,000 users receiving the company’s service within seven months. Later this year, the startup will look at possible expansions in Mexico and Nigeria. Warren Myers, AURA’s CEO […]

Last call for innovative Southern African startups to join prestigious Justice Accelerator

Guaranteed EUR 10,000 grant for startups with high impact justice innovations, to grow their business Game-changing justice startups looking for the opportunity to take their business to new heights have until 30 April 2021 to enter the prestigious Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) Innovating Justice Challenge. Interested applicants can enter via www.hiil.org/innovating-justice-challenge. Successful candidates will earn […]

How to Calculate and Improve Customer Lifetime Value for Your Fintech App

Creating loyal customers that purchase your products and services for life is the dream. Increasing customer lifetime value creates stability for your business and allows you to innovate new products and services that keep finance customers returning to your brand again and again. To end the feast and famine cycle, companies need to increase customer […]

Africa as a Driver of Technovation

Sustainable digital transformation, applied in the context of startups, tech hubs and big business is what will define Africa as the “new frontier,” enabling actionable inspiration far beyond the continent. Founded in Africa, by Africans, for Africans, the most important tech event of the year, Africa Tech Week 2021, is set to be a platform […]

Shaping tomorrow’s innovation: Collaborating with the right VC partner

Ian Lessem, Managing Partner at HAVAÍC

Early-stage African tech investor HAVAÍC says aligning to startup founders’ interests, allowing management to maintain their independence, leveraging off smart capital and working together towards a mutually favourable exit is the foundation for successful collaboration between Venture Capital (VC) investors and startups. Ian Lessem, Managing Partner at HAVAÍC, notes that for African startups with international ambitions, partnering […]

The SEC’s Circular On The Trading Of Foreign Securities By Investment Platforms In Nigeria

By Ibrahim Moshood, Associate, Centurion Law Group The apex regulator of securities in Nigeria, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has issued a circular, with respect to technology investment platforms providing the Nigerian public with access to foreign securities. The circular dated 8 April 2021, issues a strong warning to these investment platforms and Capital Market Operators […]

Kenyan retail-tech startup Tanda secures funding for regional expansion from HAVAÍC

Kenyan agency banking startup Tanda is expanding its operations regionally after securing funding from early-stage African tech investor HAVAÍC, Zedcrest Capital, DFS Lab, Victor Asemota and three other investors. Tanda has also secured key strategic partnerships with Mastercard and Interswitch which will further accelerate its growth. The company’s expansion comes on the back of successfully pioneering and proving […]

Justice Accelerator calls on innovative Southern African startups changing lives and creating social impact

EUR 10,000 grant for technology-driven finalists to grow their business The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) is calling on all game-changing justice startups that want to grow their social impact and business to participate in this year’s HiiL Innovating Justice Challenge. Successful applicants will earn a place in the prestigious international HiiL Justice Accelerator programme, […]