All roads lead to Rwanda next week for the 12 start-ups pitching at Seedstars Africa in Kigali for the finale of the seed-stage startup competition in Africa.
In order to provide local entrepreneurs with this opportunity and aiming to deliver the best possible event, Seedstars World is closely working with kLabs, who is representing the initiative throughout the year. “We are so happy to welcome Seedstars World community/family in the country of thousand hills and million smiles. Host seedstars Africa means a lot to us as Rwanda has been a focal point and home of startups.” says Aphrodice Mutangana, General manager chez at kLab.
In line with its mission to place the spotlight on entrepreneurs from emerging markets, Seedstars World is travelling to more than 65 countries this year to identify the best seed-stage entrepreneurs and provide them with an opportunity to win up to USD 1 million, with the main prize being a 500.000 USD equity investment prize.
“Rwanda is the success story of our continent. In the past few years only, there has been measurable advancements in integrating technology with the day to day life of Rwandans. We have heard so much about the bustling startup ecosystem in Rwanda and we are now here to witness the reality” explains Selam Kebede, Associate at Seedstars world.
The startups that have been selected to pitch are:
Steadybits: A chat software that allows for streaming of videos and sounds during chat, so that both party can watch at same time together and discuss.
Blue Innovation Ltd: helps decision makers to rely on informed and accurate data through monitoring and evaluation.
Mobicash: is a digital payment platform at the same time a digital bank.
Dope Apps: ride on is a platform which enable its users to plan their journey ahead and it provides transport information on the ride and the passenger.
UPlus Mutual Partners: a web and mobile app that will assist customers to save in groups and also borrow money based on group trust worthiness
QuickRide: is a custom dispatch and fleet management solutions for large and small scale companies.
Gawana: is a mobile application that allows travelers with cars to offer rides between East African cities.
GO: Empowers the smallholder farmer to boost harvest and assist in growing financially.
VugaPay: fast and safer way to send and receive mobile money payments online without sharing your financial information.
Kasha : sells and delivers women’s health products confidentially through a widely accessible retail platform
MindSky :enables high-potential, underbanked Africans to advance their careers & receive low interest loans based on their earning potential.
Raisins Ltd: We produce economical and affordable lamp with leading technologies that use 1Watt
All participating startups will qualify for two major prizes that Seedstars World is running this year: Together with TRECC Startups in Education qualify for the global “Transforming Education Prize” which will award the best startup in the education space from around the world with a prize of over USD 50,000.
In addition, Seedstars World and Intel are collaborating on the “Intel Solutions Challenge” to find the best startups in Hardware, IoT, Cloud and Analytics with the goal of inviting them to a prestigious Demo Day with internal and external partners who will give access to market and funding for the best startups.
The event will be held at the Rwanda Online the 9th of December. Attendees can register for free here
