Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [29/05/2020]

Stellenbosch based startup Teambix is offering companies a new way of making extra revenue during the difficult time of the Covid-19 pandemic.

This, while a survey by the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub in April of 185 Nigerian startups has revealed that 80% of startups surveyed have either pivoted or are looking to pivot their business because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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

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.

Teambix’s staff-sharing platform is offering companies a new way of making extra revenue during the Covid-19 pandemic.

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

Nigerian startups in Covid-19 pivot: A survey by the UK-Nigeria Tech Hub in April of 185 Nigerian startups has revealed that 80% of startups surveyed have either pivoted or are looking to pivot their business because of the Covid-19 pandemic. This, while 69% of investors surveyed are looking for new opportunities in healthcare, logistics and remote work solutions.

Moves to expand guarantee scheme: South Africa’s National Treasury and the Black Business Council are looking into how the government’s R200-billion loan guarantee scheme can be expanded to allow the non-bank funders that lend to small businesses to qualify, Fin24 reported in an article yesterday. The scheme was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in April and came into effect earlier this month at the country’s major banks (see this story on how small businesses can apply for funding).

Kenyan startup offers telemedicine: Over 600 Nairobians are receiving medical care at home through Tibu Health, a Kenyan startup, Reuters reported yesterday in an article. The startup, founded in 2017 by Peter Gicharu and Jason Carmichael, launched its telemedicine offering in March. It also conducts Covid-19 tests in people’s homes from those who request medical assistance the company’s app.

Entrepreneur offers staff sharing: Stellenbosch based startup Teambix is offering companies a new way of making extra revenue during the difficult time of the Covid-19 pandemic. The startup’s platform allows companies to “lend” staff to other companies, for extra revenue. Teambix founder Remmone Modisakeng (pictured above) said so far eight client companies have signed up. The business, which Modisakeng founded in 2018, was last year one of the winners of the CellC Innovation Competition (see this story), securing R2-million debt funding from CellC. Modisakeng said the full funding has not yet been released, only the R100 000 initial deposit.

Read more: Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [28/05/2020]
Read more: Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [27/05/2020]
Read more: Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [26/05/2020]
Read more: Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [25/05/2020]

Featured image: Teambix founder Remmone Modisakeng (Supplied)