This week was all about finalists, with the winners of Seedstars Cape Town being announced while the last stage competitors of DEMO Africa were made public.
The last African leg of the Seedstars World 2014 competition took place in Cape Town on Thursday, with local startup Khusela taking first place and progressing to compete against other regional champions at the global event in Geneva, Switzerland in February.
“Seedstars World is just what South African startups need, as they bring international attention and investment opportunities to Cape Town. We cannot wait to go to Geneva!” said David Gluckman, chief executive officer (CEO) of Khusela.
DEMO Africa has announced the 40 finalists set to launch their startups at this year’s event in Lagos, with Nigerian entrepreneurs dominating the list of finalists.
DEMO announced on the Thursday the judges had selected 40 startups from over 400 applicants, with the finalists to pitch their ideas at the conference which will beheld between September 22 and 26.
Kenya’s Ushahidi has announced it has received US$1.2 million seed funding for its BRCK project, hoping to solve last mile connectivity problems in rural areas.
HumanIPO reported last week the device launch is set for today, with BRCK chief executive officer (CEO) Erik Hersman saying if the device takes off Ushahidi would not need funding from anywhere else.
South African startup Emerge Mobile has announced the commercial launch of its Edge mobile point of sales (MPOS) card acceptance solution.
HumanIPO reported earlier this year Emerge Mobile hoped to provide business owners in Africa with reasonably priced on-the-go payment services.
The platform will be available through Emerge Mobile-owned financial services firm iKhokha.
Jumia Nigeria has provided small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with a platform that will give them an opportunity to showcase their products online and reach a larger and more targeted audience.
Jumia said its Marketplace is part of its innovative approach towards transforming the Nigerian retail space and will bring on board individuals who run small businesses and are looking to increase visibility.
“I run a home-based business and I must say joining the Jumia Marketplace has really been helpful especially with increasing my sales. Jumia has offered my business more visibility,’ said Kenneth Ubogu, Jumia Marketplace seller.
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