A total of 16 African startups are part of 200 startups that will be showcasing their products at the TechCrunch 2023 Startup Battlefield, described as an invitation-only cohort of game-changing early-stage startups.
Out of the 16, two of the startups are leveraging blockchain as the technology platform in use.
These startups, which made it from a list of over 2,000 applicants, will have the chance to showcase their products to potential investors as well as gain access to funding opportunities and mentorship.
“Each application was reviewed numerous times by the TechCrunch editorial team. The batch this year gave us an excellent snapshot of where the early-stage industry is headed,” said TechCrunch.
The startups selected from Africa include:
1.) Eduporch
EduPorch, developed by Alusoft, serves as an educational information processing and management tool aimed at facilitating the day-to-day operations of schools. This platform enables smooth interactions among various educational stakeholders through its user-friendly interface and features. Alusoft Technologies Limited, the creator of EduPorch, was established by Onaopemipo Adewumi.
2.) Akowe
Akowe is a comprehensive solution designed for the digital issuance and verification of academic records. This platform utilizes blockchain technology to ensure secure and tamper-proof records. It was established in Nigeria in 2020 by its founder, Ayodeji Agboola.
3.) Appcyclers
AppCyclers is a web-based platform hailing from Ghana that specializes in the collection and proper disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) from both individual homes and office settings. The platform was established in 2021 by its founder, Agudor Agabas.
4.) Bizzyn
Bizzyn is a cloud-based accounting and financial management platform with the objective of addressing the challenges of financial management for small businesses in Africa. It accomplishes this by offering a straightforward and cost-effective solution. This Tanzanian startup was established by its founder, Emmanuel Kimaro.
Bus54 offers the necessary digital infrastructure and ecosystem to facilitate passenger transportation in Africa. It empowers passengers to search, compare, book, and oversee their journeys through online means.
Founded by Ezra Anajonu and Joseph Lumbahe, this Nigerian platform allows transport operators to efficiently manage their entire operations through a secure portal. Notably, this solution eliminates the need for additional investments in IT software or hardware while also providing an extra channel for ticket sales.
6.) Duhqa
Duhqa provides retailers with a comprehensive solution encompassing procurement, financing, and logistics. This Kenyan startup was established to tackle the logistical challenges faced by manufacturers and to address issues related to sluggish inventory movement, traceability of brand performance, and enhanced sales to both formal and informal retailers.
Victor Maina founded Duhqa in 2021.
7.) Famasi
Famasi specializes in creating software programs and APIs that establish connections between businesses or individuals and pharmacies in emerging markets. Through a single mobile device, pharmacies can efficiently manage their operations using a smart inventory and point-of-sale software. Simultaneously, patients and providers can conveniently order medications and receive doorstep deliveries.
8.) FinanceGPT
FinanceGPT employs machine learning techniques to create charts and generate insights from data, thereby offering a holistic overview of a company’s financial status and projections. This enables informed financial decision-making.
The platform was established by Phiwa Nkambule.
9.) FlexPay
FlexPay is a neobank with a focus on providing a savings-driven experience for the unbanked and underbanked communities throughout Africa. This Kenyan startup empowers users to make essential purchases by offering a sustainable and credit-free approach to buying goods and services.
Richard Machomba founded FlexPay in 2013 with the aim of enhancing financial access and inclusion.
10.) FlowMono
Flowmono is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform that offers a range of APIs and tools designed to facilitate electronic signing, storage, and sharing of documents, while also aiding in the digitization of processes.
Founded by Akintayo Okekunle and Babatola Awe in 2022, this Nigerian startup provides solutions for enhancing document management and process efficiency.
11.) Foris Labs
Foris Labs empowers students with the capability to convert any location into a science laboratory through their gamified 3D virtual science laboratory. This innovative platform offers a lifelike simulation of hands-on science experiments.
John Onuigbo is the founder of this startup aiming to provide an immersive and educational experience for students.
12.) Genesis360
Genesis360 facilitates businesses in offering cost-effective payment alternatives to their customers, including consumer credit for food purchases with the option of repayment in installments.
The startup was co-founded by Babatunde Famuyide, Zephaniah Morakinyo, Akinmade Mayowa, and Odubiyi Adeolu with the goal of improving affordability and convenience for consumers and businesses alike.
13.) KSOC: Kubernetes Security Operations Center
KSOC is an event-driven Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform designed to address security risks within Kubernetes environments while enforcing a least-privileged access control approach.
This Ugandan startup was established in 2021 by Story Tweedie-Yates, aiming to enhance security and governance within Kubernetes deployments.
14.) Kyuka Ventures
Kyuka Ventures is a technology-enabled startup that employs an energy-conserving and chemical-free technology to convert plastic waste into fuel and gas.
Founded by Sonko Jamal, this Ugandan startup is committed to addressing plastic waste management and promoting sustainable solutions for energy generation.
15.) Lima
Lima is an agritech startup with a focus on revolutionizing food systems in Africa. This Tanzanian startup specializes in providing high-quality organic manure and cost-effective livestock feeds.
Founded by Jasper Simpkin in 2021, Lima aims to contribute to sustainable agriculture and enhance the productivity of livestock farming.
16.) Omniscient
Omnisient is a Data Collaboration platform that prioritizes privacy, offering state-of-the-art cryptography, advanced analytics, and AI capabilities. This platform empowers Financial Services Institutions (FSIs) to harness novel consumer data sources while adhering to security protocols and regulatory requirements.
Omniscient secures Personally Identifiable Information (PII) such as name, email address and phone numbers by anonymizing on-premise records to create irreversible ‘Crypto-Identities.’
Founded in 2019 by Jon Jacobson and Anton Grutzmacher, this South African startup aims to facilitate secure and compliant data utilization within the financial sector.
The full list of startup battlefield companies can be found here.
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