The Southern African Innovation Support Program (SAIS) and Seedstars announced the second batch of fifteen startups that are part of the 2019-2020 Investment Readiness Program (IRP). Participants were chosen for their technological solutions focused on the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) and were selected to go through the IRP and be more ready to receive an investment. One of the selected startups is “Banked”Which was also on the list of 10 finalists in the contest Seedstars Luanda 2020.
With the aim of increasing the financing received by startups in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, SAIS and Seedstars developed the Investment Preparation Program aimed at improving the quality of entrepreneurs, and saving time for both founders and investors in the fundraising process. This is done through educational programs, ecosystem strengthening and networking activities, focusing on the following 10 countries: Angola, South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique and Zambia .
More than 300 applications
The organization revealed that it received more than 300 applications, 158 startups were invited to participate in the Online Seedstars Academy.
Based on the application, frequency and after an interview process, carried out by the Seedstars Investment team, 20 startups were then selected to participate in the Investment Preparation Program (IRP). The first part of the IRP consisted of a one-month module, centered on key business metrics, which aimed to increase the robustness of startups and prepare them for fundraising.
The Mentors
The organization has prepared 2 months of mentoring to ensure that startups receive support tailored to the specifics of each business. The participating mentors are Eric Osei, Christos Kritikos, Kabeer Chawla, Nuno Veloso, Nicolas Bry, Jovin Hurry, Jini Sebakunzi, Andrew Herweg, Sameer Jooma, Sean Clancy, Jesus Kiteque, and Ali Mohdi.
The 15 selected startups
The second group of startups selected for this second phase of the SAIS IRP program is composed of:
- We Deliva SA. - Deliva is a Food Ordering and Delivery Platform that provides Customers, Drivers, Restaurants and Wholesalers with tools to expand and scale their businesses.
- Sparco Inc. - specialized in building tools to allow companies to collect money from their customers anywhere and also to give access to a set of delivery companies.
- mangwee - a mobile money transfer and remittance platform that allows educational institutions to process payments.
- Adongo Blockchain Ltd - Decentralized online ad exchange platform that makes digital advertising fast, easy, accessible and data-driven.
- Flamingoo Foods Company Ltd - Using cutting-edge climate technology, the startup predicts that areas are deficient and surplus at the food level and react proactively to food insecurity.
- NOBLE AGRITCH - develops low-cost, tailor-made agricultural technologies, using locally available resources to increase productivity.
- Genietech Group (beautyApp) - Guidance platform for choosing beauty products and services, linking applicants for services or beauty and wellness products to their suppliers
- BrillantTS Africa [C32-PEX] - The next generation of alternative digital payments and an open banking platform and mobile application for the next billion billion below and outside banking.
- ACE Smart Technologies Ltd - EdTech founded in Zambia that successfully launched an eLearning portal in partnership with Zamtel and ECZ with more than 25.000 students.
- Astech-Congo - Umoja Funding - promises to keep users connected to their schools or universities, wherever they are and in real time from their smartphone thanks to Shule online.
- Masenze Strategic Advisors - Accessible and low cost access to practical, relevant and easy to use legal information through chat platforms, such as facebook messenger.
- SUMMARY - Digitize FMCG distribution by connecting informal suppliers and retailers, saving your money, effort and time through data-based AI
- VOID - Technology and Communication - UBI is a platform that connects people to their city. Anytime and anywhere, through solutions that make everyday life simple and straightforward
- BENCH - requests for home delivery and passenger taxis are dealt with in a digital system. The same taxi that transports passengers also delivers goods over 2 kg.
- GWork - We make remote teams in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) smarter, ensuring that they are continually learning from their behavior and improving their performance.
At the end of March, the 15 startups will participate in a Roadshow Investor where they will have the opportunity to present their projects and meet with investors.
