Fintech startup MaTontine wins Seedstars Dakar, a shot at $1-million in funding

Senegalese fintech startup MaTontine was last week crowned winner of Seedstars Dakar, giving it the opportunity to represent the country at the Seedstars Summit in Switzerland next year April.

MaTontine provides financial services through the digitisation of traditional savings circles. The startup won the opportunity to attend the Seedstars Summit where it will participate in a week-long training programme, gain access to investors and mentors from around the world, as well as pitch for up to $1-million in equity investment and other prizes.

MaTontine pitched against eight other startups at an event held on Friday (22 September) in Dakar. Agriculture finance platform Bayseddo was placed second while payment solutions startup PayDunta won third place.

MaTontine pitched against eight other startups to win the Senegalese round of Seedstars World

A jury panel consisting of representatives from Jumia Travel, Cofina Group, Orange Digital Ventures, McCann Dakar, GSMA, Jokkolabs Dakar and Seedstars World selected the winners.

“Global competitions such as Seedstars World are key to Dakar’s emerging startup ecosystem,” Seedstars ambassador Babacar Birane said in a press release.

“Seedstars World Dakar now stands as a major event in our ecosystem’s agenda. It gives a regional and global exposure to our best entrepreneurs which is key to attract key players like investors to our ecosystem.”

Seedstars World is a global seed-stage startup competition for emerging markets and fast-growing startup scenes. The next leg of the Seedstars World tour is Douala, Cameroon where a pitching event will be held on Friday (29 September).

Featured image: MaTontine team member and Seedstars World representatives at the Seedstars Dakar pitching event on Friday 22 September (Supplied)