Tech

African female-run startups invited to apply for Aurora Tech Award

Published

6 months ago

November 10, 2023

African startups run by women have been invited to apply for the 2023 edition of the Aurora Tech Award, an annual global prize for women founders of tech startups.

According to organizers, the Aurora Tech Award is “focused on breaking down barriers and promoting equality in tech entrepreneurship,” while seeking out “female founders that have a functional prototype or an early version of their product.”

“In addition, selected ventures will connect with a global community of women tech entrepreneurs, receive PR support, get feedback from venture capital experts, and receive guidance from inDrive’s C-level executives and industry experts with a finalist mentorship programme,” the organizers wrote on the award’s website.

“The Aurora Tech Award is an annual global prize for women founders of tech startups. We believe in breaking down barriers and promoting equality in tech entrepreneurship.

“Women entrepreneurs in IT face challenges like investor bias, stereotypes, and a lack of role models, limiting their representation.

“According to Crunchbase, only 2.3% of venture funding goes to women-led startups. And we’re here to change that! Our mission is to discover hidden gems among startups led by women, providing the support they need to shine brightly. Join us in setting new, fair standards in the venture world.

“If you’re a woman founder with a tech startup, regardless of the specific industry, and have a functional prototype or an early version of your product, the Aurora Tech Award is just for you. We’re interested in your company, your journey, and the challenges you’ve overcome”, they added.

Winners will stand the chance of carting home $30,000 as the first prize, $20,000 as second prize and $10,000 as third prize.

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Tech

RepAir, Cella partner to launch carbon capture in Kenya

Published

2 days ago

April 27, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Global Direct Air Capture (DAC) firm, RepAir, has entered into a partnership with carbon storage technology company, Cella, to launch a first-of-its-kind innovative Carbon Capture and Storage venture in Kenya.

In a statement on its website on Friday, RepAir said the venture will see a replication of its “cultivating partnerships” with storage firms in Europe, U.S. and Africa.

“This storage agreement will streamline the sale of high-quality carbon credits to off-takers, enabling corporations to meet evolving ESG standards, manage offsets and advance towards net zero goals,” the statement issued by RePAir CEO, Amir Amir Shiner, stated.

“Our solution sets a new standard, requiring only 600 kWh per ton of CO2 captured, marking the lowest energy consumption on the market.

“This agreement is perfectly aligned with the launch of our commercial demonstrator in 2025, empowering RepAir to offer high-quality carbon credits to our customers.

“It will see to the establishment of a storage partnership with Cella aimed at creating dedicated value chains for extracting CO2 from the atmosphere and permanently storing it underground through in-situ mineralization.

Corey Pattison, CEO, Cella, who also issued a statement on the partnership, said “by partnering with Cella at our first demonstration site, RepAir can capitalize on two critical resources: the potential for truly permanent, highly verifiable carbon storage via mineralization combined with Kenya’s abundant renewable energy sources.

“Together these resources provide a comprehensive solution for capturing and storing CO2 for off-takers. This collaboration represents an extraordinary opportunity to nurture mutual growth.”

Tech

Intel Liftoff Hackathon 2024 calls for applications from African AI startups

Published

3 days ago

April 26, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Applications for the 2024 cohort of Intel Liftoff Hackathon has opened for African AI startups designed to bring together aspiring tech entrepreneurs, software developers, and AI enthusiasts to collaborate, innovate, and create solutions to concrete African challenges.

In its second edition, the hackathon welcomes pioneering early-stage AI startup teams from the African continent, delving into experiments with LLM technology, a statement on the website of the organiser stated.

It added that the Intel Liftoff Hackathon for African AI Startups, which will be held online on May 27-31, is themed “Hack and Connect”, and will take place in partnership with Modus Africa, University Mohamed VI Polytechnic, Morocco

Other partners include TUT Hub of Artificial Intelligence Institute of South Africa, Prosper Africa, UM6P Ventures, FAST Accelerator, Innov8 Technology Hubs, and Open Startups International.

“The hackathon will feature hands-on workshops that will allow learning of AI essentials; three days of challenges with mentors to test skills; exhibition opportunities to showcase startups and forge partnerships with industry leaders; and networking opportunities to engage with fellow startups and gain insights from domain experts in the AI ecosystem,” the statement said.

“Winners will be invited to join the Intel Liftoff for Startups programme, and receive unique mentoring sessions with ecosystem partners and marketing opportunities with blog articles,” it concluded.