Cape Town’s Akro announces names of eight startups selected for its first cohort

Cape Town based venture builder Akro today revealed the names of the eight startups selected for its new 20-week acceleration programme funded by the SA SME Fund. The programmes kicks off this Monday (10 June).

Akro Accelerate programme director Pieter Strydom told Ventureburn last month that the aim is to run two cohorts this year, each with eight entrepreneurs (see this story).

The SA SME Fund, which draws its contributions from a number of listed companies in SA as well as from the Public Investment Company (PIC), will provide R2-million to Akro sponsor two cohorts over a year.

Eight startups have been selected for Akro’s acceleration programme funded by the SA SME Fund which starts this Monday

The eight startups that have been selected are:

iMpilo is a South African directory (yet to be launched) — run by Kopano Mere, Carolyn Bouter and Leroy Dunn — that helps health science graduates apply for their community service placements. The platform will also allow for peer-to-peer assistance to enhance the flow of knowledge in the health science industry and help health science professionals get job placements after their community service year.

ATA Coding Bootcamp (or the Africa Trust Academy Coding Bootcamp) is an edtech that offers training for technical careers. The startup offer in-person and remote boot camps for coding via an online platform. The startup was founded by Startup Grind Cape Town chapter head Sandras Phiri.

Bulrush Agritech is an agritech startup, founded by Sean and Kristi Rennie, that builds digital tools to enable more efficient, profitable and sustainable livestock farming practices. By collating and analysing the data that farmers already collect, their digital tools support everything from tracking to grazing management to security.

Respo is a mobile app solution developed by Blessing Nzuza that introduces Uber-like technology in the emergency medical services EMS) sector, to reduce the time it takes for an ambulance to reach a patient.

WeSit is an on-demand babysitting service that quickly connects parents with qualified, vetted and trusted babysitters near them. The platform was founded by Nqobile Msibi, Wisani Shilumani and Simphiwe Msibi.

Jobox is an online marketplace that connects student freelancers and clients to get things done more easily. The platform was founded by Bubu Buna and Alex Sexwale.

DentX is a digital platform that allows car owners to get competitive quotes for vehicle body damage repairs. The founders are Jonathan Asiamah, Benjamin Hinson and Nolo Mokoena.

Spoon Money is fintech startup founded by Nicky Swartz and Lorna McLaren that aims to formalise stokvel practices to attract more participants.

Read more: SA SME Fund backed Akro opens call in new Cape based accelerator

Featured image: Akro Capital via Facebook