Landmark Barclays Africa accelerator programme concludes

Ten companies have showed off their wares as part of the first ever Barclays Africa accelerator programme.

The programme, hosted by the Barclays Rise innovation hub in Cape Town, saw the companies receive 13 weeks of mentorship, networking and development before their Demo Day, Absa said in a statement.

The Barclays Accelerator is supported by Techstars and promises an “intensive startup programme” for innovative businesses in the fintech sector.

The Demo Day saw over 400 people in the audience, including investors, industry/fintech experts as well as Absa and Barclays executives.

“We are thrilled with the quality of the ventures. This first-ever cohort to participate in the Barclays Accelerator programme in Africa has set the bar very high. They richly deserve the opportunity to showcase their businesses at the Demo Day, and attempt to secure further investment and signed POCs,” said Yossi Hasson, Managing Director of Techstars in Cape Town.

Read more: These are the 10 African startups entering Barclays’ Rise programme

“The Barclays Accelerator, powered by Techstars once again showed why it is the pre-eminent fintech accelerator in world. This Africa class will now join the Techstars global ecosystem which spans 15 000 community leaders, mentors, founders and investors across 137 countries.”

Companies in the programme are: Asoriba (Ghana), BenBen (Ghana), Beyonic (Uganda, USA), iNuka Pap (Kenya), Jamii (Tanzania), ReAble (Lebanon), SimbaPay (Kenya, Nigeria), Social Lender (Nigeria), Tech4Farmers (Uganda) and WizzPass (South Africa).

Bradley Hornby, representing WizzPass, praised the initiative for the knowledge gained and connections made.

“This programme has given us access to an extremely big network of individuals willing to help us through our business journey and enhance our chances of success. The knowledge gained has been immense, from master class sessions to interacting with fellow start-ups and mentors in the programme. We have concluded a successful POC with Barclays Africa as well as securing seed funding. We hope to enhance our traction in the corporate and retail sector,” said Hornby.