Health app developer wins start-up contest

Correspondent | Wednesday November 8, 2017 14:19

 

Seedstars World, the global seed-stage start-up competition for emerging markets and fast-growing startup scenes brought its Botswana round to a successful close during last week’s Seedstars Gaborone contest.

The event took place last Friday at the University of Botswana and nine selected start-ups were invited to present their ideas in front of the local jury panel.

The local winner, Yapili, a peer-to-peer web platform and Android App offering new opportunities for many Africans to connect to doctors for health advice, was selected the best start-up in Botswana. As a part of the prize, Yapili will be participating at Seedstars Summit, taking place in Switzerland in April 2018, a weeklong training programme with the opportunity to meet the other 75 winners, as well as investors and mentors from around the world. Traditionally, the final day of the Summit will be dedicated to pitching in front of an audience of 1,000 attendees, with the possibility of winning up to the $1 million equity investment and other prizes.

StudentPark, a platform where students get accurate information from relevant stakeholders, came second and  Indie Studios Africa,  a social e-commerce consultancy Service Provider addressing the needs of the unbanked in emerging markets grabbed the last spot in the top three.

The other start-ups invited to pitch were Jobcard ,  Keakopa Explore,  Leintel Codemasters Holdings, Lunchbox,  Medmall Africa,  and Optimum Q.

The 11 start-ups pitched in front of a prestigious jury of  Onkabetse Morapedi, Head Enterprise Banking at Stanbic Bank, Susanne Swaniker-Tettey, Chief Financial Officer at Okavango Diamond Company, Thabiso Mashaba Co-Founder These Hands and Claudia Makadristo Regional Manager for Africa at Seedstars World.

At the same time, Seedstars World is also working closely with Enel Green Power to source the most innovative business models in the energy sectors and ones that are fostering socio-economic development in rural villages in Africa.

Up to five best start-ups in this sector will be invited for an exclusive RES4Africa networking event taking place in Nairobi and compete for an Africa Energy Prize which consists of a financial contribution and a three-month acceleration programme for a total value of up to $50,000.

The event was made possible thanks to the support provided by main partner Stanbic Bank Botswana,  local ambassador Udugu Institute, our regional partners Orange, Enel Green Power, Merck, VC4A and Microsoft4Afrika and local supporters Botswana Innovation Hub, FranklinCovey, Botho University, Google Developer and Afrolutionist.

Continuing on its world tour of startup scenes in emerging markets and fast-growing startup scenes, Seedstars World’s next stop is Nairobi to select the best startup in Kenya. Seedstars World is looking for smart startups that solve regional issues and/or develop profitable products for the global market.