Third ASIP Accelerator powered by Startupbootcamp AfriTech selected 11 startups
In the third iteration of the Africa Startup Initiative Program (ASIP) accelerator, 11 businesses have been chosen by Startupbootcamp AfriTech and the telecom company Telecel Group.
Startupbootcamp In 2017, AfriTech was established as the first pan-African startup accelerator with support from many corporations. The Africa Startup Initiative Programme, which seeks to promote the next generation of early-stage African tech businesses disrupting a wide range of sectors, was announced by Disrupt Africa in March 2021. This programme was launched in partnership with telecoms company Telecel Group.
ASIP supports emerging businesses with ground-breaking concepts that are improving their communities. Along with US $750,000 in credits, services, and in-kind value, chosen firms also receive equity capital of $18,000. Startups will also have access to the worldwide Accelerator Squared platform, which has a comprehensive library of material, group workshops, one-on-one mentorship, collaborative sessions with Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, and invite-only discussion forums with founders from around the world.
On May 25, a demo day will mark the completion of the programme, which will take place in Dakar, Senegal.
Three of the selected businesses are from Nigeria: PharmaServ, a SaaS application that automates pharmacy procedures; Parkwell, which connects drivers with accessible, secure parking places; and Jand2Gidi, which provides “Logistics-as-a-Service” to B2B and B2B2C clients.
Greentech platform BD Waste and AI-based diagnostics provider Chestify AI Labs are two that are from Ghana, and Limawa and mobility firm Moja Ride are two that are from Ivory Coast.
The Senegalese e-commerce platform Yoonema, the Moroccan IoT-based water monitoring service SafeTrack, the Malian sales portal Sodishop, and the Kenyan finance firm Kyanda Africa round out the cohort.
“We’re excited by the quality of startups in this cohort. About 30 percent of them have applied before, 60 percent applied on the recommendations of an alumni founder, and 50 percent of them have monthly revenues above US $50,000. Cohort three companies are building in over 12 verticals, and we have a 30 percent female-founder ratio. It’s going to be 13 weeks of far-reaching progress and impact,” said programme director Henry Ojour.