Rwanda’s popular tech incubator Think has announced the top 10 finalists for its second cohort. Selected finalists are in the running for investment and incubation from Tigo and its parent company Millicom at the state-of-the-art think incubation site.
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This year’s in-take will build on the success of the incubator’s first cohort comprised Rwandan company TorQue and Nigerian company Cribpark, which both received investment, access to key networks, assessment of growth, and office space.
Read more: Rwanda’s Think reveals 4 promising African startups for acceleration
Think noted in a press release that it received highly qualified applications from 14 countries, and the finalists represent six African nations: Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Uganda, as well as the US.
The chosen businesses will join Think in May, receiving US$15 000 in equity investment, strategic consulting services, and a tailored growth-training curriculum, as well as access to Tigo resources and global tech mentors.
Tongai Maramba, General Manager of Tigo Rwanda, said in a media statement: “We are excited about the promising top 10 finalists. Investing in the final selected companies from among this group is a hallmark of Tigo’s commitment to innovation and to growing the IT startup environment across Africa.”
With a focus on having the ability to scale rapidly, the following tech startups have been selected:
Bitnexa, Uganda
Product: A bitcoin exchange for merchants and individuals, using mobile money to exchange local currencies with bitcoins.
Get It (Rwanda)
Product: Text-to-order sales and distribution platform delivering household items to last-mile consumers.
GutsHaven (Nigeria)
Product: Web platform that connects a local community of freelancers to those who need small projects completed.
Howxit (South Africa)
Product: A mobile app for real-time communication via text, voice and video.
Malaika Travel & Tours (Rwanda)
Product: A travel app designed to crowd-share rides and excess luggage allowances.
Mergims (Rwanda)
Product: A mobile application that allows Rwandan migrants to pay airtime, tuition fees, and utility bills efficiently.
SeedBox (Uganda)
Product: An interactive online mentorship platform, connecting young African entrepreneurs to those around the globe
SoftProviders (Burundi)
Product: A multi-function, adaptable mobile payment platform, leveraging patented M-PAY technologies.
The Exchange Visionary Labs (United States)
Product: Contact lenses that display an augmented reality. Think 3D Google glass.
Two4one (Kenya)
Product: A mobile platform incentivising people to eat out, go out, and hang out more often.
