Tech

Kenya’s XR startup BlackRhino VR launches AR content creation platform

Published

4 months ago

December 18, 2023

Kenya’s Extended Reality (XR) startup, BlackRhino VR, has announced the launch of an Augmented Reality (AR) platform which is designed to enable content creators to rapidly build and publish their AR content.

The new platform, known as MediAR, according to BlackRhino VR CEO, Brian Afande, is a “user-friendly, AR cloud editor and publishing platform that uses drag and drop technology, thus lessening the challenging learning curve associated with coding while producing AR solutions and content.”

Afande, in a statement while announcing the launching of the platform on Monday, said the tech company is “leveraging XR knowledge to expand opportunities for significant socio-economic and cultural growth among the youth that will help create jobs, reduce poverty, and contribute to overcoming Africa’s development challenges.

“MediAR works with local and international companies to develop innovative ways of delivering content and is our response to the need to unlock Africa’s creative sector through AR,” he said.

“Our primary objectives are to empower Africa’s youth, who are the innovators of the future, to broaden their skills set that allows them to scale up innovations as well as to democratise extended reality technologies in order to make them easily accessible so that ultimately, these immersive technologies can actively and positively contribute to Africa’s socio-economic development.

“We also want to demystify the notion that Africa is only a consumer of technology and demonstrate that there are numerous innovative African technological solutions that are being developed to solve the continent’s challenges.

“BlackRhino VR is therefore urging content creators across Africa to leverage the platform to perpetuate the development of an internet economy that will in turn create jobs, reduce poverty, and contribute to the continent’s development,” the CEO added.

Related Topics:BlackRhino VR Featured Startup Tech

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Tech

RepAir, Cella partner to launch carbon capture in Kenya

Published

19 hours 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

2 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.