Aeronautics giant Airbus and German development agency GIZ have announced the names of the 10 African tech startups that will take part in the latest Airbus Bizlab #Africa4Future accelerator programme.
#Africa4Future is a joint business accelerator initiative of Airbus and GIZ’s Make IT Africa initiative together with the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) and SA-based innovation consultancy Innocircle.
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The programme identifies African tech entrepreneurs using innovative aerospace-based solutions to tackle the continent’s most pressing challenges such as transportation, agriculture and healthcare
The 10 #Africa4Future finalists were selected from 314 startups from 19 countries on the continent
The 10 hail from seven African countries, namely: the Ivory Coast, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. They are:
Astral Aerial (Kenya): This startup uses drones for to transport humanitarian cargo, carry out surveillance and conduct emergency responses.
Cote d’Ivoire Drone (Ivory Coast): Cote d’Ivoire Drone manufactures its own drones locally, that can be used for various applications.
Element Numerics (South Africa): This startup applies computational fluid dynamics techniques to the design of machines and components, which range from aircraft to heart valves.
Lentera Limited (Kenya): Lentera uses remote sensors to monitor and transmit environmental data to enable more efficient and smarter farming.
Maisha ICT Tech (Ethiopia): Maisha deploys locally built drones for delivering medicines, blood and healthcare items to rural areas.
MamaBird (Malawi): MamaBird’s platform helps governments, NGOs and other organisations deliver vital life-saving supplies to remote communities.
Map Action (Mali): Map Action offers real-time online urban mapping to identify problems that affect water supplies, hygiene and sanitation.
MobiTech Water Solutions (Kenya): This startup has developed a real-time water monitoring solution that allows businesses, homes and water service providers to manage their available water using an app-based dashboard and instant messaging.
Track Your Build (Nigeria): Track Your Build provides aerial and resource data for construction and engineering projects.
WiPo Wireless Power (South Africa) This startup offers reliable and convenient wireless power chargers for business, conference centres, airports, restaurants and other venues for charging of mobile devices, laptops and drones.
Six-month programme
Yesterday (17 January) the 10 startups — who were selected from 314 entries from 19 African countries — participated in a pitch event in Nairobi.
Yesterday’s event kicks off an intensive six-month business incubation and accelerator programme that involves technical, commercial and mentorship activities in France, Germany and South Africa. This includes workshops and coaching sessions with Airbus experts, GIZ’s Make-IT in Africa and Innocircle coaches.
The #Africa4Future Accelerator programme will culminate with a demo day at the biennial Paris International Airshow.
In addition, participants will also attend a special event in Germany held from 19 to 26 June where the finalists will launch their products, define their collaboration with Airbus and announce their investment commitments in front of representative from across the aerospace industry.
Featured image: Airbus Bizlab #Africa4Futute accelerator programme finalists together with representative from Airbus Bizlab, Innocircle and the GIZ (Airbus BizLab via Twitter)
