Techstars

HubIQ is a logistics company based in Kenya and the United States that focuses on providing streamlined logistics solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Kenya and East Africa. The company offers a comprehensive platform that combines warehousing, transportation, and delivery services, utilizing a network of strategic storage locations to enhance last-mile delivery. By catering primarily to sectors such as manufacturing, distribution, and e-commerce, HubIQ enables businesses to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency, thus facilitating better supply chain management and supporting their growth in the digital landscape.

The Daily Sale Shop is an online marketplace that provides a diverse selection of products to customers in Zimbabwe. The platform emphasizes convenience by offering free delivery across the nation, allowing individuals to shop from the comfort of their homes. With a focus on customer satisfaction, The Daily Sale Shop also ensures reliable customer support and a seamless checkout experience, making it easier for customers to receive their orders efficiently.

PipeOps, established in 2021 and based in Lekki, Lagos, specializes in streamlining software deployment, monitoring, and scaling. The company offers a user-friendly, no-code platform that facilitates cloud deployments and infrastructure management. Its platform boasts a graphical interface for easy setup and management, supports multiple frameworks, and automates build triggers, empowering businesses of all sizes to deploy applications more efficiently.

Brolly is an insurtech company focused on making auto insurance more accessible and affordable in Africa, specifically through flexible payment options and usage-based pricing models. Headquartered in Delaware and operating in Ghana, Brolly utilizes artificial intelligence and automation to enhance the speed and efficiency of its services. The platform offers a pay-as-you-go auto insurance model and includes complimentary fleet management tools, allowing users to easily manage their insurance needs. Customers can report claims and receive same-day payments, streamlining the claims process. Brolly has plans to expand its services to additional African countries in the coming years.

BezoMoney is a digital savings platform based in Accra, Ghana, aimed at assisting low-income earners in effective saving. It offers both personal and group e-wallets, enabling users to save individually or collaboratively through group savings initiatives. The platform includes a mobile application with features that promote financial discipline, such as a personal wallet with a locking mechanism that encourages users to save over time. Additionally, BezoMoney employs a machine learning model that rewards consistent saving behavior with points, which can be redeemed for discounts, property acquisition, and investment opportunities. By enhancing users' creditworthiness and providing access to bulk capital through group savings, BezoMoney strives to foster financial independence among the unbanked and young people, ensuring transparency, accountability, and security in all transactions.

Xolani Health is an automated health-tech platform based in Abuja, Nigeria, focused on enhancing disease detection and reporting for radiologists in low-resource settings. The company develops AI-driven solutions, including its proprietary model, XolaNets, which serves as an optimization tool for radiologists. This tool assists in selecting personalized patient protocols and provides a second opinion, thereby improving the accuracy and speed of diagnoses. By modernizing and digitizing clinical operations, Xolani Health aims to enable healthcare workers to derive greater value from the increasing volume of health data.

Trade Lenda is a digital financial service provider focused on facilitating access to credit for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria. Recognizing that access to finance is a significant barrier for MSMEs, the company utilizes alternative data sources to assess the creditworthiness of borrowers, evaluating their character and capacity without relying on traditional collateral requirements. This innovative approach aims to address the substantial financing gap faced by MSMEs, which contribute significantly to job creation and economic growth in the region. In addition to providing short-term loans to support working capital needs, Trade Lenda plans to expand its services to include micro-savings, insurance, investment, and pension solutions, further enhancing the financial ecosystem for MSMEs.

FanBants is an entertainment company based in Lagos, Nigeria, founded in 2022. It operates a fantasy sports platform that allows users to participate in virtual football games and contests. The platform is designed to encourage active engagement among sports fans, enabling them to earn rewards and demonstrate their knowledge of the sports they enjoy. By fostering competition and community, FanBants aims to redefine fanhood for Africans and create a dynamic environment where users can connect over their shared passion for sports.

Glover, established in 2021, is a digital assets marketplace based in Lagos, Nigeria, with operations extending to Ghana and aspirations for broader expansion across Africa. The platform facilitates the buying and selling of gift cards, converts excess airtime into cash, and allows users to pay utility bills conveniently through its Refill services. In addition, Glover offers a comprehensive solution for purchasing e-tickets. By leveraging technology to streamline e-commerce, Glover aims to create a financial ecosystem that fosters personal and business growth while providing seamless finance opportunities for its users. The company has rapidly emerged as one of the fastest-growing startups in Africa, focusing on enhancing user experience and promoting convenience in financial transactions.

AgroCenta, founded in 2015 by former Esoko employees Francis Obirikorang and Michael K. Ocansey, aims to enhance the agricultural value chain in Ghana by addressing key challenges faced by smallholder farmers. The company has developed an online platform that connects these farmers directly to national markets, allowing them to sell their commodities at fair prices, thereby reducing reliance on exploitative middlemen. The platform also offers real-time commodity pricing and access to credit facilities. Additionally, AgroCenta has introduced a logistics solution known as TrucKR, which enables farmers in remote areas to easily access transportation services for their goods. This innovative approach not only empowers farmers by giving them control over their sales but also significantly improves their overall market access and economic outcomes.

Rent Small Small is a Nigeria-leading prop-tech platform providing a unique rental solution to Nigerians in order to improve the home-seekers rental experience and increase homeowner's occupancy rate. Our business model is unique as it allows verified tenants to find a property on the go, stay within budget, and pay rent flexibly. We provide first-of-its-kind rent insurance for property owners against rent default, and unlike traditional agents, we don’t charge agency and legal fee. Our mandate is to provide suitable and affordable homes for home-seekers, influence the conception and birth of new homes to boost the livelihood and productivity of Nigerian youths, and help homeowners make their property rentable and profitable.

Emergency Response Africa (ERA) is a health technology company dedicated to transforming emergency medical care in Africa. Founded in 2018 and based in Lagos, Nigeria, with an additional location in Kitchener, Canada, ERA integrates training, technology, and transportation to enhance emergency response. The company provides tailored emergency medical services for individuals, families, businesses, communities, and insurers. Its innovative technology platform employs intelligent dispatch and communication systems to facilitate quick and effective emergency responses, connecting individuals experiencing medical emergencies to a vast network of first responders, emergency vehicles, and hospitals within minutes. This approach ensures that patients receive immediate care and are transferred to appropriate medical facilities for prompt treatment.

KEIPhone aims to bridge the digital divide in sub-Saharan Africa by offering free smartphones and data to the 70% of the population that lacks internet access. The company is pioneering revenue generation through lock screen advertising, making it the first of its kind in the region. In addition to smartphones, KEIPhone provides solar chargers, which help ensure that users can keep their devices powered. The company’s products deliver content in local languages through various formats, such as video and SMS, and focus on closing the gender gap in internet access. By enhancing connectivity, KEIPhone empowers women and supports their ability to improve their lives through better access to information and resources.

ORDA is a cloud-based restaurant operating system built for African chefs and food business owners. ORDA's ePos, integrations, and lending solutions enable Africa’s millions of food business owners to scale and grow their business. The company was founded in 2020 and is based in Lagos, Nigeria.

Rent Small Small is a Nigeria-leading prop-tech platform providing a unique rental solution to Nigerians in order to improve the home-seekers rental experience and increase homeowner's occupancy rate. Our business model is unique as it allows verified tenants to find a property on the go, stay within budget, and pay rent flexibly. We provide first-of-its-kind rent insurance for property owners against rent default, and unlike traditional agents, we don’t charge agency and legal fee. Our mandate is to provide suitable and affordable homes for home-seekers, influence the conception and birth of new homes to boost the livelihood and productivity of Nigerian youths, and help homeowners make their property rentable and profitable.

Treepz is a technology-driven transportation company focused on enhancing mobility across Africa. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Ontario, Canada, Treepz operates in Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, and Kenya, providing users with a reliable and comfortable commuting experience. Its application allows users to book trips for daily, inter-city, or corporate travel at the tap of a button. The platform offers features such as vehicle assistants, licensed drivers, and e-wallet payments, ensuring that users can book and pay for fast and convenient trips in real-time. Through its innovative approach, Treepz aims to create a safer and more efficient transportation system for commuters in the region.

ORDA is a cloud-based restaurant operating system built for African chefs and food business owners. ORDA's ePos, integrations, and lending solutions enable Africa’s millions of food business owners to scale and grow their business. The company was founded in 2020 and is based in Lagos, Nigeria.

TalentQL is a company based in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, that specializes in hiring, developing, and managing remote talent for organizations worldwide. Founded in 2020, the company provides a talent outsourcing platform that simplifies the process of acquiring and overseeing engineering talent for foreign companies. TalentQL not only facilitates access to a dedicated workspace for remote developers but also offers the option for clients to provide accommodation. By taking on the responsibilities of recruitment and team setup, TalentQL allows organizations to concentrate on their core business activities while efficiently managing their remote workforce.

Treepz is a technology-driven transportation company focused on enhancing mobility across Africa. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Ontario, Canada, Treepz operates in Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, and Kenya, providing users with a reliable and comfortable commuting experience. Its application allows users to book trips for daily, inter-city, or corporate travel at the tap of a button. The platform offers features such as vehicle assistants, licensed drivers, and e-wallet payments, ensuring that users can book and pay for fast and convenient trips in real-time. Through its innovative approach, Treepz aims to create a safer and more efficient transportation system for commuters in the region.

Eversend SAS, founded in 2017 and based in Paris, France, offers a multi-currency e-wallet application that enables users to send and receive money, buy cryptocurrency, create virtual cards, and purchase airtime. The platform leverages blockchain technology to provide a digital payment gateway, facilitating electronic money transfers to bank accounts and mobile payments while minimizing costs associated with fees and foreign exchange. In addition to its current services, Eversend plans to expand its offerings to include personal loans, savings, group savings, merchant payments, and investment options. The company aims to grow its presence in Nigeria, Francophone Africa, and Europe while utilizing funds for product development, user acquisition, and regulatory compliance.

WellaHealth is a startup focused on improving healthcare access for low-income individuals and families in Nigeria. The company has developed a digital triage bot that provides guidance based on the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control guidelines, allowing users to log their health responses for potential follow-up by public health authorities. In addition to this innovative tool, WellaHealth offers micro-health insurance plans that target prevalent diseases, providing affordable coverage for treatments and medications. Their platform connects users to a network of pharmacies and healthcare professionals, enabling them to manage their health needs without facing significant financial strain.

hiveonline is a startup based in Copenhagen, Denmark, Kigali, Rwanda, and Stockholm, Sweden, that focuses on providing digital financial solutions for communities of entrepreneurs who lack access to traditional financial systems. The company operates two primary products: a Savings Group product and a Cooperatives product, both designed to foster a financial ecosystem for unbanked communities in developing economies. These products offer essential financial services, including identity verification, structured lending, risk aggregation, and low-cost digital cash, without requiring bank records or formal identification. By leveraging behavioral analytics and blockchain technology, hiveonline aims to deliver seamless financial administration and a trustworthy network for users. Additionally, the platform supports farming communities by integrating various services such as accounting, crop forecasting, and input management, ultimately promoting inclusion in the digital economy. The company employs nine individuals dedicated to this mission.

Farmcrowdy is an agric-tech platform based in Nigeria that connects individuals with smallholder farmers through a crowdfunding model. The platform allows users to select farms they wish to support financially, using their contributions to cover various aspects of the farming process, such as securing land, engaging farmers, planting seeds, and insuring both farmers and their produce. Once the crops are harvested and sold, Farmcrowdy ensures that the farm sponsors receive a return on their investment. Throughout the farming cycle, sponsors can monitor the progress of their chosen projects through regular updates, including texts, photos, and videos, promoting transparency and engagement in agricultural activities. By facilitating this connection, Farmcrowdy aims to enhance food production and foster youth involvement in agriculture.

Eversend SAS, founded in 2017 and based in Paris, France, offers a multi-currency e-wallet application that enables users to send and receive money, buy cryptocurrency, create virtual cards, and purchase airtime. The platform leverages blockchain technology to provide a digital payment gateway, facilitating electronic money transfers to bank accounts and mobile payments while minimizing costs associated with fees and foreign exchange. In addition to its current services, Eversend plans to expand its offerings to include personal loans, savings, group savings, merchant payments, and investment options. The company aims to grow its presence in Nigeria, Francophone Africa, and Europe while utilizing funds for product development, user acquisition, and regulatory compliance.

Kora is a pan-African payment infrastructure company headquartered in Canada, with additional offices in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. The company specializes in facilitating pay-ins and payouts for local and global businesses across various payment channels in Africa. Kora's platform utilizes blockchain technology to provide an efficient cross-border payments solution, which aims to reduce the costs associated with remittances. By enabling individuals and businesses to receive payments from anywhere in the world, Kora contributes to enhancing the accessibility and affordability of financial transactions across the continent.

Mobius Motors Ltd. designs, manufactures, and sells vehicles tailored for the African mass market, focusing on the specific needs of consumers in developing regions. Founded in 2011 and based in Nairobi, Kenya, the company produces affordable vehicles that facilitate the transportation of heavy cargo, operate effectively over rough terrains, and serve public transport and goods delivery needs. By providing appropriate transport solutions, Mobius Motors aims to enhance mobility in rural Africa and contribute to a more connected and prosperous continent.

Farmcrowdy is an agric-tech platform based in Nigeria that connects individuals with smallholder farmers through a crowdfunding model. The platform allows users to select farms they wish to support financially, using their contributions to cover various aspects of the farming process, such as securing land, engaging farmers, planting seeds, and insuring both farmers and their produce. Once the crops are harvested and sold, Farmcrowdy ensures that the farm sponsors receive a return on their investment. Throughout the farming cycle, sponsors can monitor the progress of their chosen projects through regular updates, including texts, photos, and videos, promoting transparency and engagement in agricultural activities. By facilitating this connection, Farmcrowdy aims to enhance food production and foster youth involvement in agriculture.

Eversend SAS, founded in 2017 and based in Paris, France, offers a multi-currency e-wallet application that enables users to send and receive money, buy cryptocurrency, create virtual cards, and purchase airtime. The platform leverages blockchain technology to provide a digital payment gateway, facilitating electronic money transfers to bank accounts and mobile payments while minimizing costs associated with fees and foreign exchange. In addition to its current services, Eversend plans to expand its offerings to include personal loans, savings, group savings, merchant payments, and investment options. The company aims to grow its presence in Nigeria, Francophone Africa, and Europe while utilizing funds for product development, user acquisition, and regulatory compliance.

Farmcrowdy is an agric-tech platform based in Nigeria that connects individuals with smallholder farmers through a crowdfunding model. The platform allows users to select farms they wish to support financially, using their contributions to cover various aspects of the farming process, such as securing land, engaging farmers, planting seeds, and insuring both farmers and their produce. Once the crops are harvested and sold, Farmcrowdy ensures that the farm sponsors receive a return on their investment. Throughout the farming cycle, sponsors can monitor the progress of their chosen projects through regular updates, including texts, photos, and videos, promoting transparency and engagement in agricultural activities. By facilitating this connection, Farmcrowdy aims to enhance food production and foster youth involvement in agriculture.

OffGridBox is a company that delivers renewable energy and clean water solutions in remote and underserved regions. The OffGridBox™ is a compact, all-in-one system housed within a shipping container measuring 6x6x6 feet, designed to produce electricity and purify water using solar energy. This innovative technology aims to address the needs of over 2 billion people globally who lack access to reliable energy and safe drinking water. Each unit can significantly impact local communities; for example, a single unit operated by a women’s cooperative in Rwanda can serve up to 300 families, providing essential electricity and sterilized water. OffGridBox has deployed 38 units across nine countries, including Italy, South Africa, Rwanda, Nigeria, the Philippines, Madagascar, the United States, and Colombia, catering to various sectors such as humanitarian aid, household retail, and industry services. These units have collectively operated for over 400,000 hours, promoting sustainable living and improving the quality of life in the areas they serve.

Byte Money specializes in the funeral parlor market in South Africa by providing cash receipting and auditing services through a mobile point of sale (POS) terminal and a pay your premium (PYP) platform. Established in 2008 and based in Johannesburg, the company focuses on the efficient receipting and allocation of funeral policies, ensuring diligent premium management under service level agreements. Byte Money's platform integrates seamlessly with various policy administration systems, offering users continuous updates and improvements. Additionally, the company supplies quality German thermal paper suitable for rural environments and offers maintenance services for POS terminals. By automating processes that typically involve handwritten receipts, Byte Money helps reduce administrative costs, minimize human error, and enhance regulatory compliance for funeral parlors, administrators, underwriters, software providers, and policyholders.

FOMO Travel is an online lay-buy platform that enables users to save for travel by paying a small deposit followed by manageable installments, thereby avoiding interest and debt. The platform caters to individuals, families, and groups, allowing them to share their travel goals with friends and family who can contribute to the funding. FOMO Travel has established partnerships with organizations such as the Singer Group and SA Tourism, and is in the process of finalizing a campaign with Absa. The company has garnered media attention through various articles and radio broadcasts, enhancing its visibility in the travel budgeting space. By facilitating an installment-based payment system, FOMO Travel aims to make travel more accessible and affordable for its users.

OffGridBox is a company that delivers renewable energy and clean water solutions in remote and underserved regions. The OffGridBox™ is a compact, all-in-one system housed within a shipping container measuring 6x6x6 feet, designed to produce electricity and purify water using solar energy. This innovative technology aims to address the needs of over 2 billion people globally who lack access to reliable energy and safe drinking water. Each unit can significantly impact local communities; for example, a single unit operated by a women’s cooperative in Rwanda can serve up to 300 families, providing essential electricity and sterilized water. OffGridBox has deployed 38 units across nine countries, including Italy, South Africa, Rwanda, Nigeria, the Philippines, Madagascar, the United States, and Colombia, catering to various sectors such as humanitarian aid, household retail, and industry services. These units have collectively operated for over 400,000 hours, promoting sustainable living and improving the quality of life in the areas they serve.

Jamii Africa is a provider of mobile micro-health insurance tailored for the low-income and informal sector. The company has developed a mobile policy management platform that automates 99% of insurance administration activities, significantly reducing costs and allowing for more affordable premium rates. Through strategic partnerships with Jubilee Insurance and Vodacom Tanzania, Jamii Africa facilitates cashless transactions for premium collection and benefit payouts, enhancing accessibility for its target market. Their platform not only manages the benefit ledger but is also integrated with mobile money and insurer systems, ensuring efficient service delivery. By offering customized insurance policies that provide access to various hospitals, Jamii Africa aims to meet the unique needs of underserved populations, promoting greater health coverage in the region.

BenBen is a team of motivated engineers and innovators dedicated to improving Government Technology in Ghana. With their current focus on Land & Property Management , They aim to create a secured land title registration system and citizen payment portal that will bring Ghana to the forefront of land investment and govtech innovation and serve as a model for the rest of the world.

Simbapay Limited is a London-based company that provides digital money transfer services primarily to banks and telecom companies in Africa. Established in 2013, Simbapay offers a B2B SaaS solution that enables customers to send money abroad using mobile money or electronic banking. The service allows for quick credit transactions directly to recipients' bank accounts or mobile wallets in countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda, eliminating the need for lengthy queues and cumbersome paperwork. Simbapay's innovative technology includes an award-winning chatbot, which extends access to users without internet connectivity. The company is licensed and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), ensuring compliance and security in its operations.

Beyonic, Inc. is a technology company based in Kampala, Uganda, that specializes in web-based services and APIs focused on mobile payment solutions. Founded in 2006, the company provides a platform that enables businesses to manage two-way mobile money payments across multiple carriers and banks, facilitating transactions in Uganda, Kenya, and other countries. Beyonic's services allow clients to efficiently handle various payment needs, including payroll, debt collection, and disbursement of funds, through a centralized system that connects to 26 mobile payment networks and over 20 banks. By utilizing a cloud-based payment platform, Beyonic aims to simplify cashless transactions for businesses and projects, enhancing the ability to make last-mile digital payments in emerging markets. As of June 30, 2020, Beyonic operates as a subsidiary of MFS Africa Limited.

Jamii Africa is a provider of mobile micro-health insurance tailored for the low-income and informal sector. The company has developed a mobile policy management platform that automates 99% of insurance administration activities, significantly reducing costs and allowing for more affordable premium rates. Through strategic partnerships with Jubilee Insurance and Vodacom Tanzania, Jamii Africa facilitates cashless transactions for premium collection and benefit payouts, enhancing accessibility for its target market. Their platform not only manages the benefit ledger but is also integrated with mobile money and insurer systems, ensuring efficient service delivery. By offering customized insurance policies that provide access to various hospitals, Jamii Africa aims to meet the unique needs of underserved populations, promoting greater health coverage in the region.

Tech4farmers is a company based in Kampala, Uganda, that provides farmers with real-time access to market information, enabling them to sell their produce effectively and manage their businesses better. Founded in 2014 by Dennis Ndongyereye and Deogratious Afimani, the company operates an electronic warehouse receipt system and a digital commodity exchange platform. This platform facilitates inclusive and sustainable agricultural value chains by utilizing innovative information and communication technologies, including mobile phones. Through its services, Tech4farmers empowers farmers to engage directly or indirectly in the marketplace, enhancing their ability to make informed decisions and receive timely payments.

iNuka Pap Limited is a Kenyan company founded in 2014 that operates a mobile platform designed to offer instant loans to members of savings and credit co-operatives (SACCOs) and microfinance institutions (MFIs) across Africa. The platform provides users with immediate access to short-term cash advances, which can help address urgent financial needs. In addition to loan services, iNuka Pap also facilitates other consumer services such as prepaid electricity, airtime, and insurance. By enabling members to manage their small cash emergencies conveniently and efficiently, the company aims to enhance financial accessibility for its users.

Mobius Motors Ltd. designs, manufactures, and sells vehicles tailored for the African mass market, focusing on the specific needs of consumers in developing regions. Founded in 2011 and based in Nairobi, Kenya, the company produces affordable vehicles that facilitate the transportation of heavy cargo, operate effectively over rough terrains, and serve public transport and goods delivery needs. By providing appropriate transport solutions, Mobius Motors aims to enhance mobility in rural Africa and contribute to a more connected and prosperous continent.