Tech

12 African startups lined up for $120, 000 ARM Labs Lagos Techstars accelerator programme

Published

1 year ago

January 31, 2023

The ARM Labs Lagos Techstars has selected 12 African tech startups for its inaugural accelerator programme with a $120,000 prize money in equity funding and other forms of support.

The accelerator programme which was launched by Techstars, a global investment business that provides access to capital as well as one-on-one mentorship, and customised programming for early-stage entrepreneurs, is in partnership with ARM Labs, a Lagos-based innovation programme focused on helping fintech startups.

The accelerator programme, according to Techstars Managing Director, Oyin Solebo, in a statement on Tuesday, will run for three months and is aimed at early-stage African fintech and prop-tech startups, with the first cohort made up of 10 Nigerian and two Kenyan ventures, half of which have female CEOs.

“Each selected startup banks up to $120,000 in equity funding, as well as access to training and a vast investor network. The programme concludes with a demo day on March 16,” the MD said.

“The selected Nigerian startups include peppa.io, a platform that makes customers buy items on social platforms through the use of payment protection.”

“Others are CDcare, which is making it easy for Africans to own gadgets, appliances, cars and more at zero interest, through smart installment plans;”

“Flick, which enables users to connect multiple bank accounts and pay directly from one source;”

“Keble, which enables Africans at home and abroad to purchase fractional shares of global real estate; and Keza, which enables people to buy new and pre-owned smartphones on a flexible payment plan.

“Also selected from Nigeria are Salad, which provides employees with access to financial services and benefits beyond their monthly paycheck;”

“Sidebrief, which simplifies the process of starting and scaling a business across borders and Towntalk, which provides shippers with real-time location and behavioural analytics, vehicle tracking, and access to insurance providers.”

“Also selected are Vittas, a digital lender for healthcare providers and Oystr Finance, which provides lenders with an infrastructure to help them launch low-risk micro-loan products.”

“The two Kenyan startups taking part in the programme are alphabloQ, a real estate investment platform, and Cladfy, which provides microfinance lenders with credit profiling, digitised loan management, and access to affordable, reliable financing,” Solebo said.

Related Topics:Accelerator Programme ARM Featured TECHNOLOGY

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Tech

RepAir, Cella partner to launch carbon capture in Kenya

Published

7 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

1 day 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.