Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [10/04/2020]

In Nigeria seven startups have qualified for seed funding after coming out tops in a Covid-19 challenge run by Ventures Platform, Venture Garden Group and several others.

This, as The African Development Bank and partner organisations are set to host an online #AfricaVsVirus Challenge from next Thursday (16 April) to 19 April. The top three winning ideas will receive up to $50 000 worth of in-kind prizes.

With the coronavirus (Covid-19) headlining news all over the world, Ventureburn has launched a regular daily roundup on the virus and how it is affecting Africa’s tech startup sector.

Those with any news releases relating to Covid-19 and Africa’s tech startup sector can send these to editor@memeburn.com.

In Nigeria seven startups have qualified for seed funding after coming out tops in a Covid-19 challenge

Here then is the latest on the coronavirus and African tech startups:

Seven startups win funding: In Nigeria seven startups have qualified for seed funding after coming out tops in a Covid-19 challenge run by Ventures Platform, Venture Garden Group (with CEO Bunmi Akinyemiju pictured above) and several others. Over 500 entries were received. The qualifying startups are: Wellvis Covid Triage, GloEpid by Prunedge, Infodemics by Ingenia Nigeria Limited, Driage by Caselink, MyServiceAgent, Covid19 Nigeria and Cmapit Analytics. In addition to opportunities for more funding, the seven successful startups will receive equity-free grants of $3000 each, access to virtual workspace as well as other juicy perks.

AfricaVsVirus Challenge: The African Development Bank and partner organisations are set to host an online #AfricaVsVirus Challenge from next Thursday (16 April) to 19 April. The 72-hour competition is a global hackathon — or “ideathon” — to develop effective solutions to the coronavirus pandemic. The challenge is open to entrepreneurs, companies, civil society organisations and governments. An expert panel will select the 20 best solutions submitted, and these finalists will be invited to take part in a one-month educational programme by Seedstars. The top three winning ideas will receive up to $50 000 worth of in-kind prizes.

UIF payments total R356m: The Unemployment Insurance Fund has set aside R40-billion to help employees who will be unable to work, as part of the effort to prevent jobs losses as a result of the lockdown. To date, it has paid out R356-million, President Cyril Ramaphosa revealed in a speech last night. He also announced a two-week extension to South Africa’s lockdown, which will now run until 30 April.

African startups tackling Covid-19: Ben White, the CEO of VC4A, which has an online platform aims to link African tech startups with investors, has produced a list of innovative African startups that are assisting in the battle against Covid-19. The list is still growing and includes edtech, fintech and healthtech startups, among other verticals.

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Featured image: Venture Garden Group CEO Bunmi Akinyemiju (Twitter)