First speakers confirmed for TechCrunch Startup Battlefield Africa

Nigeria’s former communication technology minister Omobola Johnson and Singularity Investments principal investment officer Lexi Novitske are among the first speakers confirmed for this year’s TechCrunch Startup Battlefield Africa — which takes place in Lagos in December.

The startup competition will see some of the continent’s hottest startups competing to be crowned Africa’s best startup.

In addition, the event — which is set to take place on 11 December — will also feature panel discussions and keynotes from high-powered industry leaders that will explore the best tech in Africa and how the technology investment landscape is changing.

In a statement today (23 October), US tech publication TechCrunch said Johnson, who is a senior partner at TLCom Capital, and Novitske offer “direct knowledge” about investing Silicon Valley money in the local ecosystem.

TechCrunch Startup Battlefield Africa will be held in Lagos, Nigeria on 11 December

Other confirmed speakers and judges include: Orange Digital Ventures investor Marième Diop, Ventures Platform partner Kola Aina, Sankore Global Investments founder and managing director Titi Odunfa Adeoye, Co-Creation Hub Nigeria co-founder and CEO Bosun Tijani, Accion Venture managing director Tahira Dosani, as well as Brck founder and CEO Erik Hersman.

TechCrunch editor at large Mike Butcher said the inaugural edition of TechCrunch Startup Battlefield Africa confirmed that Sub-Saharan Africa is home to a “vibrant and growing” technology startup ecosystem.

“We look forward to hearing about how this year’s competitors are disrupting their markets, providing innovative solutions to social and economic problems, and positioning themselves as global contenders,” added Butcher.

Last year, the competition highlighted how technology is optimising supply chains, increasing access to education and strengthening farmers’ revenues, among other things.

Kenyan logistics startup Lori Systems emerged the winner of last year’s competition for its platform that is revolutionising the cargo-transport value chain on the the continent.

TechCrunch Startup Battlefield Africa 2018 will take place in front of a live audience and judges, and the show will be covered on TechCrunch.

The winning startup’s founders will be awarded $25 000 in cash plus a trip for two to San Francisco to compete in Startup Battlefield at TechCrunch’s flagship event, Disrupt in 2019.

Read more: Kenyan startup Lori Systems wins TechCrunch Battlefield Africa