Startup news

New innovation programme launches for African-led startups

Seedstars, a Swiss-based private company in partnership with Shell Foundation, a UK-registered charity, has launched the Energy, Mobility, and Agriculture Innovation Programme. The programme is aimed…

Entrepreneurs launch one-stop-shop to support local SMMEs

Renowned entrepreneur duo, the founder of Young Designers Emporium, Paul Simon, and founder of Fabiani, Arie Fabian in collaboration with Old Mutual have launched…

Tanzania startup launches platform to connect patients with doctors

Medikea, a Tanzania-based online healthcare marketplace, has launched a platform that enables patients to book doctor appointments at their preferred clinics for free. The…

Google launches accelerator for startups in the Middle East and Africa

Google has launched an accelerator programme for Seed to Series A tech startups located in the Middle East and North Africa region. Officially named MENA,…

Kenyan startup launches lease-to-own vehicle marketplace

A Kenyan-based vehicle financial management startup, Motoqaa, announced the launch of a new digital platform that allows gig workers in the taxi-hailing industry to acquire…

HAVAIC reaches agreement with Custostech

Following a legal dispute between venture capitalist firm, HAVAIC and Stellenbosch based startup, Custostech, the two parties have reached an amicable agreement. This comes…

Black Friday 2020 breaks eCommerce record

According to online payment processing service, PayFast, Black Friday accelerated online transactions by 50% compared to 2019. PayFast announced a 283% increase in total…

Three African startups selected for Google for Startups Accelerator on SDGs

Google has selected three African startups for its Google for Startups Accelerator on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — Flare, mDoc and Solar Freeze….

Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [09/04/2020]

Ghanaian healthtech mPharma plans to equip and re-purpose private labs into Covid-19 testing centres. The startups is one of many on the continent that…

Villgro Kenya calls on startups with Covid-19 innovations to apply for funding, support

Impact investor Villgro Kenya has called on African startups with innovations that could help in treating, testing, monitoring or other aspects of the Covid-19 outbreak…

SA’s Intergovernmental Fintech Working Group launches innovation hub

South Africa’s financial regulators have launched the Intergovernmental Fintech Working Group (IFWG) Innovation Hub to respond to changes in the financial sector driven by…

Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [08/04/2020]

Johannesburg-based startup Epione.net launched epione.net in Zimbabwe today. The offering, already available in South Africa, is an online pre-screening symptom checker that connects stakeholders…

Jack Ma’s Africa Netpreneur Prize Initiative open for applications for 2020 edition

The Jack Ma Foundation has launched the second edition of its “Africa’s Business Heroes” (ABH) prize competition, which is organised by the Africa Netpreneur…

Standard Bank acquires 40% stake of SA fuel management platform Payment24

Standard Bank has acquired a 40% stake in Cape Town based digital fuel management solutions and telematics company Payment24 Group. Payment24, founded in 2014,…

Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [07/04/2020]

Just days after it launched the Sukuma Relief Programme, which will disburse R1-billion from the Rupert Family to small businesses, fund administrator Business Partners…

Antler commits $500k to fund up to 5 startups battling Covid-19

Singapore headquartered early-stage venture capital (VC) company Antler is inviting startups tackling the Covid-19 outbreak to apply for funding. Antler, which has an African…

Rocket Internet has sold its stake in ecommerce company Jumia

German venture builder Rocket Internet has sold its stake in African ecommerce company Jumia. This, according to a report last week by Reuters. Quoting…

Rupert Family’s R1bn Sukuma Relief Programme now open to small businesses

Business Partner‘s Sukuma Relief Programme, which will disburse R1-billion from the Rupert Family to small businesses, is now open to accept applications for funding….

Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [06/04/2020]

Correction (6 April 2020): We incorrectly had it that Kuda had raised $1-million for its Covid-19 fund. The amount is actually in naira. Sorry….

Female founders called upon to apply for LeadTech Incubation Programme [Updated]

UPDATE (23 April 2020): In light of the ongoing developments and challenges around Covid-19, Awief has extended its deadline for applications for its LeadTech…

Russia’s StudyFree named the winner of Seedstars World 2020

Russian edtech startup StudyFree has been named the Seedstars World 2020 winner in an online event held by Seedstars this afternoon and walks away…

Covid-19 and African tech startups roundup [03/04/2020]

US based SA entrepreneur and Civic founder Vinny Lingham has been under a lockdown for two weeks now and has been stockpiling food since…

VC4A calls on mentors in and around Johannesburg to take part in virtual programme

VC4A has opened applications to mentors who are keen to take part in a virtual mentor-driven capital programme and are situated in or near…

Lenovo at MWC 2025: AI-Powered Laptops, Sustainable Concepts, and a Glimpse into the Future

Smart Tech: Turning the Tide on South Africa’s Water Crisis

Celebrating Innovation: Redmi Note 14 Post-Launch Event in South Africa

Verto Launches Global Business Award to Fuel African Startup Expansion

GITEX Africa: Shaping the Future of Tech and Positioning Africa as a Global Powerhous

Gozem Secures $30M Series B to Fuel Super App Expansion Across Francophone Africa

Microsoft launches new Surface devices in new AI era

Honor Magic V3 launches, four things to know

Honor Magic V3, a Guinness world record attempt

Lucid CEO becomes strategic advisor

Golf 8.5 update with lots of Life

Tariffs trump US new car affordability needs