Paris-bound: Meet AfricArena’s 10 startups set to showcase at VivaTech

AfricArena has announced the names of 10 startups selected to join its delegation to the fourth edition of annual French tech conference VivaTech.

VivaTech –dubbed the world’s rendezvous for startups and leaders — will be held between 16 and 18 May in Paris. Over 9000 startups and over 100 000 attendees, among them 1900 investors, are expected to attend this year’s edition.

In a statement today (2 May), AfricArena said the 10 emerged as the top high-growth and high-potential startups in the Open Innovation Challenges of the AfricArena 2018 Tour.

AfricArena’s delegation to VivaTech comprises 10 African tech startups that the organisation believes have the potential to gain international traction

The 10 are from Kenya, Mauritius, Senegal and South Africa. They are:

Aerobotics (South Africa): Aerobotics uses aerial imagery from drones, satellites in conjunction with machine learning algorithms for early problem detection on tree and wine farms to optimise crop performance for farmers

DataProphet (South Africa): DataProphet uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technology to actively prescribe optimal control parameter settings in order to refine production performance

FinChatBot (South Africa): FinChatBot develops AI-powered chatbots that help financial services providers acquire and retain customers while reducing operational costs

Guardian Gabriel (South Africa): Guardian Gabriel has developed a wearable panic button that works with no connection to a smartphone

Homefarm (South Africa): Homefarm has developed an Internet-Of-Things (IoT) product that along with its Homefarm app allows users to effortlessly grow a variety of micro-greens from the comfort of their home, all year round

MedBit (Kenya): Medbit provides a means to search for, book and pay for various healthcare services online

OniriQ (France, Senegal): OniriQ designs and manufactures Solar Home Systems (SHS) for African populations living off-grid

PayDunya (Senegal): This online payment service allows customers to send and receive payments from mobile money wallets, credit cards and cash. PayDunya also allows users to get paid and sell online without the need of a website.

SeaMonster (South Africa): SeaMonster creates custom virtual reality (VR) games that allow players to compete for rewards

TravelBudds (Mauritius): TravelBudds is the social network for young, connected travellers looking for the best ways to travel the world and share their experiences with their friends

‘Opening doors’

DataProphet CEO Frans Cronje, commenting in the same statement, said his startup was “honoured” to be chosen as one of the 10 startups attending VivaTech.

AfricArena, he said, is “leading the way” and opening doors for innovative tech vendors born on the continent.

He pointed out that the African market is often overlooked when it comes to foreign investments, despite its expertise and innovation being more advanced than some of the biggest vendors in the world.

“We’re excited about the opportunity to showcase our proven Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions in manufacturing to investors at the event and meeting other technology pioneers,” added Cronje.

DataProphet, along with Aerobotics and FinChatBot, will also accompany AfricArena to New York as part of the organisation’s Investor Roadshow.

In New York, AfricArena will host an AfricArena NYC Investor Event on 13 May. The event will be hosted in partnership with SAP Next Gen Innovation Space, Wesgro and French Tech New York.

Aerobotics COO Timothy Willis said winning the AfricArena VivaTech Challenge strengthens the startup’s expansion springboard into Europe.

“We are excited that attending VivaTech this year will take us to New York and France as it forms part of our market expansion strategy,” he added.

AfricArena and its contingent of African tech startups will be at the CityLab at VivaTech on 17 May at 2pm.

The startups will participate in a pitch battle which will see the winner presented with an award endorsed by the President Macron Council for Africa.

This year’s edition of VivaTech will be the second time the conference will feature a dedicated Afric@Tech section where up to 50 African startups will showcase their solutions.

Read more: AfricArena expands world tour to include Abidjan, Cairo, Kigali

Featured image: Air France via Facebook