Seedstars World, one of the largest startup competitions for emerging markets, has announced the nine startups that will pitch at Seedstars Kigali in the Rwandan capital this Friday (20 July).
The nine startups will pitch in front of a panel made up of the head of communications agency Studio Red, Tanya Mulamula; Rwa Business Group’s Ephraim Rwamwenge; Westerwelle Startup Haus programme manager Guido von Westerholt; and Seedstars World Africa regional manager Claudia Makadristo.
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In a statement yesterday (16 July) Makadristo pointed out that Rwanda’s entrepreneurial ecosystem has made significant improvements in recent years.
Seedstars Kigali takes place this Friday and will be held in partnership with KLab and Westerwelle Startup Haus Kigali
“We are extremely excited to return to Kigali and hope to witness the results of this, reflecting in the quality of the entrepreneurs we will select to participate in the Seedstars World competition,” said Makadristo.
The pitch event will be held with the support of KLab and Westerwelle Startup Haus Kigali. In a statement yesterday Westerwelle Startup Haus Programme manager Guido von Westerholt said the return of the pitch competition to Kigali is a “great confirmation of the positive development of the local startup scene and the international interest it attracts”.
The nine finalists range from a startup that’s developed an artificial intelligence (AI) enabled device that helps the blind see, a talent match-making platform, to a business-to-business financing company.
BAG Innovation: A talent matchmaking platform that aims to connect talented young Rwandans with growing companies. The startup claims on its website that it has trained more than 400 students and worked with over 30 firms.
BeneFactors: A business-to-business financing company that provides its clients with tailored working capital solutions in exchange for their unpaid invoices or purchase orders.
Blaiva Fablab Rwanda: This startup has developed a Blind Artificial Intelligence Vision Assistance device which works through an artificial intelligence (AI) enabled lense.
Comparisol: An app that educated users on solar energy and provides a marketplace to compare quality-verified solar products to purchase.
eJobu: This platform helps Rwandan freelancers sell their skills to small businesses.
Favouriapps: Users will be able to save time by buying bus tickets on the go through this startup’s mobile app.
Raisin: This online ticketing platform that supports mobile payments and international payment cards.
The Einstein: Students in need will be able to get philanthropic support via this startup which aims to bypass bureaucracy and lack of transparency in the sector.
TIVA Motos: This ecommerce app enables moto (motorcycle taxis) riders in Rwanda to pay for motorcycle products and services using mobile accounts or their TIVA wallet.
Featured image: Rwanda the Heart of Africa via Facebook
