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Published: 06-04-2018 16:44:00 | By: Nico Scherphuis | hits: 3977258 | Tags:

HAVAÍC leads a R12 million investment in South African startup RNR
Published: 19-04-2024 | 17:07:51 | By: Bob Koigi
South African-born RNR provides truck fleet managers and truck OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) with on-demand breakdown support.




















South African logistics startup Tripplo raises $1.8m funding to scale its operations
Published: 16-10-2023 | 13:35:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Tripplo has closed its seed funding extension round with $1.8m equity investment.


South African payments startup Revio raises $5.2 seed round to grow coverage across Africa
Published: 28-09-2023 | 15:55:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Revio has announced a seed investment round of $5.2m.


Irish Tech Challenge 2023 for tech startups launches in South Africa
Published: 07-09-2023 | 14:48:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Embassy of Ireland in South Africa has opened applications for the Irish Tech Challenge 2023.


[Column] Richard Shaw: AI-ready cloud - How hyperscalers empower businesses to thrive in the digital age
Published: 29-08-2023 | 11:46:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cloud computing has undergone evolution.


Munich-based Aily Labs raises €19m Series A round to accelerate growth
Published: 28-08-2023 | 12:26:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Aily Labs has raised €19 million in a Series A round


On-demand logistics and delivery startup Picup opens driver training centres in South Africa
Published: 18-08-2023 | 13:20:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Picup has launched its Driver Training Centres in Cape Town.


[Column] Nchaupe Khaole: Unlocking South Africa's technology investment potential
Published: 25-07-2023 | 10:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Technology enabled businesses and the solutions they develop represent growth.


World Bank awards 10 Southern African fintech startups with $5k each
Published: 14-07-2023 | 15:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
10 Southern African fintech startups have each received $5,000 from the World Bank.


[Column] Theo van Zyl: Connectivity on the go, why not all mobile internet services are the same
Published: 14-07-2023 | 15:26:00 | By: Pie Kamau
More consumers are taking a closer look at their connectivity requirements.


[Column] Rami Osman: 5G as a catalyst for economic opportunities, innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa
Published: 10-07-2023 | 12:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Sub-Saharan Africa is at the forefront of innovations.


Africa among top 3 regions prone to mobile financial scam, report
Published: 12-06-2023 | 14:58:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Throughout 2022 and the first quarter of 2023, 14% of installs of potentially unwanted mobile financial apps on Android phones were made.


[Interview] Renate Swanepoel, COO, INC. Networking
Published: 07-06-2023 | 15:43:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Renate Swanepoel is an entrepreneur, global networker and inspirational speaker.


How payment technology is changing the rulebook on South African retail
Published: 31-05-2023 | 10:48:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The past few years have seen the proliferation of new methods of transacting.


Absa acquires minority stake in South African agritech startup Khula!
Published: 18-05-2023 | 14:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Absa Bank has acquired a minority stake in South African agritech startup, Khula! 


South African healthtech startup Quro Medical raises $1.3m funding from Mineworkers
Published: 12-05-2023 | 13:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Quro Medical, the South African e-health startup has received a $1.3 million investment from leading investment firm the Mineworkers Investment Company (MIC).


South African healthtech startup Guidepost unveils chatbot for diabetic patients
Published: 11-05-2023 | 14:20:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South African healthtech startup Guidepost has unveiled an AI-powered chatbot to help citizens living with diabetes better manage their condition.


Africa’s mezzanine debt fund manager Vantage Capital exits Dynamic Bedding
Published: 03-05-2023 | 09:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Vantage Capital, Africa’s mezzanine debt fund manager, announced it has fully exited its investment in Dynamic Bedding, a South African specialist bed manufacturer and retailer.


[Column] Gur Geva: Biometric attacks on the rise: the trends financial institutions need to be aware of in 2023
Published: 04-04-2023 | 14:14:00 | By: Pie Kamau
In the past year there has been a 149% increase in threat actors using emulators to attack mobile platforms. There has also been a 295% increase in novel face swaps.


Nigerian fintech startup Moni unveils new community-powered digital loans for African SMEs
Published: 04-04-2023 | 13:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nigerian fintech startup Moni has launched a new range of business loans targeting SMEs in Africa.


Meet the 10 tech startups in the inaugural Geekz Ventures pre-accelerator
Published: 28-03-2023 | 10:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
US-based pre-accelerator Geekz Ventures has announced its class of 10 startups for its inaugural cohort program.


Insurtech startup Turaco and Airtel Money launch low-cost hospital cash insurance product in Uganda
Published: 23-03-2023 | 12:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan and Ugandan insurtech startup Turaco, has partnered with Airtel Mobile and Prudential Assurance to launch a low-cost hospital cash insurance product with Funeral Benefit. 


[Column] Marilyn Moodley: Conquering the biggest cloud adoption challenges with an effective strategy
Published: 06-03-2023 | 12:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
As CIOs turn to the cloud to help streamline performance across key areas of operations, knowing exactly how to conquer the biggest cloud adoption challenges is more important than ever before.


South African healthtech startup Envisionit raises $1.65m to expand access to medical imaging
Published: 28-02-2023 | 12:20:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Envisionit Deep AI, a South African healthtech startup that uses AI to bridge the gap in diagnostic imaging, has raised $1.65 million to expand access to medical imaging.


[Column] Didi Onwu: Understanding youth entrepreneurship in Kenya - why fintech is an attractive sector
Published: 23-02-2023 | 14:59:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Boasting one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa, Kenya is on the rise to become a powerhouse of innovation on the continent. This is largely in part due to the country’s thriving culture of entrepreneurship and its significant startup ecosystem.


South African car subscription startup Planet42 raises $100m to break car accessibility barriers
Published: 23-02-2023 | 13:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South African car subscription startup Planet42 has raised $100 million in combined equity and debt funding.


[Column] Anna Collard: ChatGPT: What cybersecurity dangers lurk behind this impressive new technology?
Published: 22-02-2023 | 13:38:00 | By: Pie Kamau
It is now possible to use a publicly available artificial chatbot to generate a complete infection chain, possibly beginning with a spear phishing email written in entirely convincing, human-like language.


IFC, DEG, Hollard, and Yellowwoods invest in South African insurtech startup Naked to boost insurance accessibility
Published: 17-02-2023 | 09:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
IFC, the German Development Finance Institution (DEG), Hollard, and Yellowwoods, jointly announced an investment in South African insurtech company Naked to expand access to insurance products.


South African grocery delivery startup Yebo Fresh raises 4.5m pre-Series A funding to fuel expansion
Published: 06-02-2023 | 15:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Yebo Fresh, a South African grocery delivery startup has raised $4.5m in a pre-series A equity funding round.


South African digital lender Lulalend raises $35m Series B funding to accelerate growth
Published: 06-02-2023 | 14:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Lulalend, a South African digital lender offering funding options for businesses. has raised $35 million in Series B funding to accelerate the growth of its loan book and bring new solutions to the market.


Climate finance trading platform Senken raises $7.5m to streamline and expand carbon markets offerings
Published: 30-01-2023 | 10:52:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Senken, the climate finance trading platform of on-chain carbon credits, announced it has raised $7.5 million in new funding, the most significant capital raise in its industry, led by Obvious Ventures.


[Column] Mikhail Marchenko: Major fintech trends that will affect online businesses in 2023
Published: 20-01-2023 | 09:25:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Digitalization and technological achievements, which have been observed in the African region for the past decade, have sped up the inevitable processes in fintech, changing its landscape completely.


Fintech enabler Ukheshe secures Series A funding to accelerate international expansion
Published: 22-12-2022 | 10:10:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Ukheshe International, the UK-headquartered division of digital-first, Banking as a Service (BaaS) enabler Ukheshe, announced the conclusion of an investment agreement that will help accelerate its international expansion.


South African early-stage VC firm 4Di Capital announces close of $25m seed fund
Published: 09-12-2022 | 13:22:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South African early-stage technology venture capital fund manager 4Di Capital has announced the close of $25 million seed fund.


Kenyan fintech startup Hisa unveils realtime stocks trading
Published: 30-11-2022 | 11:55:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Fintech startup Hisa has launched an application that allows Kenyans to invest in the stock market directly from their phones using mobile money.


Mobile game startup Luckmon raises $1.3m pre-seed round to bring popular casual games reward platform
Published: 15-11-2022 | 10:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Luckmon, a casual mobile game development startup based in Irvine, California, has officially announced its early-round pre-seed fundraising has closed on a whopping $1.3 million.


Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa lead fintech growth in Africa, Mastercard
Published: 04-11-2022 | 10:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
A report by payment services company Mastercard has revealed that South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya are among the most vibrant fintech markets in the continent.


South African digital identity startup iiDENTIFii raises $15m growth capital to fuel expansion across Africa
Published: 27-10-2022 | 12:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cape Town-based digital identity startup iiDENTIFii announced it has raised $15 million in growth capital to fuel its expansion across Africa.


South African Biometrics tech firm iiDENTIFii raises $15 million growth capital
Published: 07-10-2022 | 14:50:50 | By: Bob Koigi
iiDENTIFii’s face authentication technology securely authenticates users via their cellphones or PCs within seconds.


South Africa's home services startup SweepSouth closes $11m investment round led by Alitheia IDF
Published: 30-09-2022 | 09:40:00 | By: Pie Kamau
SweepSouth, an online home services platform with a presence across Africa has completed a $11 million investment round led byAlitheia IDF (AIF), Africa’s first and largest gender-lens private equity fund.


West african fintech startup Julaya raises $5m extension round to expand its operations
Published: 26-09-2022 | 13:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Julaya, a fintech stratup based in Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and France, announced it has raised $5 million extension round led by European venture capital fund Speedinvest to expand its operations in West Africa.


Waya digital banking startup for African immigrants goes official
Published: 09-09-2022 | 11:23:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Waya, a Kenyan and US-based fintech startup has announced the official launch of its full-service digital bank and money transfer app targeting the African Diaspora. 


SheMatters raises $1.5m seed funding to address medical neglect and Black maternal morbidity in the U.S.
Published: 31-08-2022 | 11:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
SheMatters, an online platform and mobile app designed to support Black women/WOC who experience postpartum comorbidities, announced the close of over $1.5 million in seed funding.


Mobile gaming platform startup INK Games secures $18.75m Series B financing
Published: 26-08-2022 | 13:38:00 | By: Pie Kamau
INK Games (INK), an Austin-based startup building a social gaming and commerce platform, announced it has secured $18.75 million of funding through its Series B equity round.


South African gaming startup Skrmiish secures $2.5m seed round to speed growth
Published: 17-08-2022 | 13:25:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cape Town-based Skrmiish, a mobile “play-to-earn” app that enables gamers of every level to earn cash in every match they play across the AAA+ games they love, has raised a $2.5 million seed round to speed its global growth.


South African agritech disruptor AgriKool drives down food costs for consumers, increases profits for farmers
Published: 15-08-2022 | 12:31:00 | By: Pie Kamau
AgriKool, a South African e-trading platform, is connecting agricultural producers to buyers to facilitate the sale of products between retailers and farmers.


Kenyan mobile commerce startup Copia unveils manufacturing unit for sugar and rice production
Published: 08-08-2022 | 09:48:39 | By: Pie Kamau
Copia Global, a Kenyan-based mobile commerce platform has unveiled a new manufacturing unit to enhance its output of affordable sugar and rice to the Kenyan market.


Fintech startup Bizao raises €8m Series A funding to accelerate its footprint across Africa
Published: 26-07-2022 | 10:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Bizao, a fintech that facilitates payments for both local and international businesses operating in Africa, announced a €8 million Series A funding to accelerate its geographical footprint across the continent and invest in the design of new lines of products and services.


Nigerian fintech infrastructure startup Bloc acquires payments company Orchestrate
Published: 26-07-2022 | 10:24:55 | By: Pie Kamau
Bloc, the Nigerian fintech infrastructure provider, has announced the acquisition of Orchestrate (previously Getwallets), a proprietary payments orchestration startup that gives businesses instant access to multiple payment providers with one integration.


German startup Lumiform closes €6.4m to boost deskless worker app
Published: 25-07-2022 | 13:56:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Berlin-based deskless worker platform Lumiform has closed €6.4 million Series A financing round, led by Capnamic.


South Africa’s student housing startup DigsConnect secures investment to spearhead international growth
Published: 22-07-2022 | 09:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
DigsConnect.com, South Africa’s digital student accommodation platform, announced the closure of its Pre-Series A seed extension round after securing undisclosed multi-million rand investment.


Celo announces new Web3 fund for African startups adopting crypto strategies
Published: 13-07-2022 | 14:35:44 | By: Pie Kamau
Mobile-first blockchain ecosystem Celo has launched a new programme to support African startups across payments, remittances, virtual assets, savings, and related financial services.


African fintech Flutterwave appoints Gurbhej Dhillon as new CTO
Published: 06-07-2022 | 11:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Flutterwave, Africa’s payments technology company, announced the appointment of former Goldman Sachs’ Managing Director, Gurbhej Dhillon as Chief Technology Officer (CTO).


Nigerian fintech startup Mono launches in Kenya
Published: 06-07-2022 | 11:43:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Mono, a Nigerian fintech startup that builds open banking infrastructure to enable access to customer financial data and bank payments for digital businesses in Africa, announced it has expanded its services to Kenya.


Zing Data raises $2.4m to bring business intelligence to mobile
Published: 01-07-2022 | 14:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Zing Data, a collaborative business intelligence and visualization startup, announced it has raised $2.4 million, led by Kindred Ventures, Correlation Ventures and early backers of Amplitude and Robinhood.


Indian no-code mobile startup Plobal raises $8.5m to expand presence in North America
Published: 20-06-2022 | 11:26:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Plobal Apps, a no-code mobile app platform for e-commerce stores, raised $8.5 million, led by Elevation Capital and Bessemer Venture Partners.


MFS Africa raises $100m funding to accelerate its expansion plans across Africa and Asia
Published: 17-06-2022 | 14:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
MFS Africa, Africa’s digital payments network, announced it has secured an additional $100 million in equity and debt funding led by Admaius Capital Partners, taking the total amount raised in the series to $200 million.


South Africa's Private equity fund PAPE acquires interest in fintech provider Entersekt
Published: 17-06-2022 | 13:58:34 | By: Pie Kamau
Entersekt, a global player in device identity and payment authentication, announced a new investment from PAPE Fund 3 (PAPE), a mid-market South African private equity fund.


[Interview] Michelle Matthews, Director, Viridian, South Africa
Published: 14-06-2022 | 17:14:50 | By: Bob Koigi
Following the rising levels of unemployment among young South Africans, the UK-South Africa Tech Hub Launch League initiative undertook a research project.


South African edtech startup FoondaMate secures $2m seed funding to accelerate growth
Published: 31-05-2022 | 11:46:00 | By: Pie Kamau
FoondaMate, a South African edtech startup, has secured $2 million in seed funding to increase usage of its Whatsapp and Facebook-based learning chatbot throughout the globe.


South African on-demand startup ParkUpp secures community basements for car collectors
Published: 30-05-2022 | 12:11:00 | By: Pie Kamau
ParkUpp, a South African marketplace startup that connects owners of parking spaces with companies and individuals who need parking has secured 'collector community basements' in convenient locations across the country.


TDK Ventures invests in XCOM Labs' vision for a high-speed wireless future
Published: 25-05-2022 | 14:36:00 | By: Pie Kamau
TDK Corporation announced that subsidiary TDK Ventures, has invested in wireless communications disruptor XCOM Labs to expedite the development of their 5G and wireless communications solutions.


A5G Networks startup announces funding from Bharat Innovation Fund to accelerate growth
Published: 24-05-2022 | 16:07:00 | By: Pie Kamau
A5G Networks, a player in Distributed and Autonomous 5G Core Network Software for private and public networks, announced an investment by Bharat Innovation Fund, a deeptech focused venture capital fund in India.


realme addresses internet coverage gap with affordable smartphones
Published: 12-05-2022 | 11:00:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Phone manufacturer realme has captured the Kenyan market by making smartphones affordable hence closing a widening internet coverage gap, despite huge investments in high-speed internet across Africa.


Fintech startup BridgerPay raises $6m seed round for self-onboarding payment operations platform
Published: 11-05-2022 | 13:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
BridgerPay, a Limassol, Cyprus-based payment operations platform provider, raised $6 million in seed (equity and secondary) funding, to build the world's first self-onboarding payment operations platform.


South African gold startup Nebü Gold develops a gold bullion investment you can wear
Published: 10-05-2022 | 09:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South African gold startup Nebü Gold, is the first African jeweller to give bullion investors the option of wearing elegant 24-karat investment-grade jewellery.


South African fintech firm Hello Pay launches new mPOS device for SMEs
Published: 06-05-2022 | 08:48:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South African fintech firm Hello Pay has launched a new high-end Android Mobile point-of-sale solutions (mPOS) for local merchants and SMEs.


Kenyan healthtech startup Zuri launches Whatsapp chatbot to democratize access to healthcare
Published: 06-05-2022 | 08:36:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan healthtech startup Zuri Health has launched a WhatsApp chatbot for its users across the country.


Lithuanian fintech startup kevin. secures $65m to disrupt payments sector, unlock open banking
Published: 04-05-2022 | 13:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
kevin., the Lithuanian fintech startup providing an advanced A2A (account-to-account) payment infrastructure to replace costly card transactions, announced it has secured $65 million in Series A funding.


Huobi Incubator partners with Celo to promote Stablecoins for the masses
Published: 25-04-2022 | 12:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Huobi Incubator, the project incubation arm of Huobi Global, announced it will co-host Celo x Huobi: Stablecoin in Web3 & Sustainability hackathon with Celo.


UK-based fintech startup Paysend opens Americas headquarters in Miami
Published: 20-04-2022 | 13:19:49 | By: Pie Kamau
Paysend, the UK-based fintech with over 6.5 million customers, announced the opening of its Americas headquarters in Miami.


Community-first mobile app Hive Wealth secures $600k deed round Investment from Black Tech Nation Ventures
Published: 06-04-2022 | 13:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Hive Wealth, a community-first mobile app that helps people grow their wealth and leave a legacy for future generations, announced it received $600K in funding from Black Tech Nation Ventures.


Bridgestone Mobility Solutions joins Startup Autobahn as ‘anchor partner’
Published: 05-04-2022 | 13:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Bridgestone Mobility Solutions, Bridgestone EMIA’s business unit focused on developing and launching data-driven fleet, tyre and mobility solutions, has become an “anchor partner” of Startup Autobahn, a mobility-focused innovation network.


South African tech startup SmartWage raises $2m to bridge gap between enterprises and frontline employees
Published: 05-04-2022 | 12:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
SmartWage, an innovative HR and communications technology startup, raised $2 million oversubscribed seed funding round to support its vision of transforming Africa’s workforce.


TR Tech, LocoNav unveil GPS, IoT and vehicle telematics solutions in South Africa
Published: 23-03-2022 | 12:38:18 | By: Bob Koigi
Integrated tech-services provider TR Tech and disruptive full-stack fleet-tech startup LocoNav have collaborated in South Africa to provide state-of-the-art GPS, IoT, and Vehicle Telematics solutions.


Salary on-demand startup Cadana partners with Flutterwave to expand into Nigeria
Published: 10-03-2022 | 15:17:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cadana, the salary on-demand startup has expanded operations into Nigeria following a strategic partnership with Flutterwave, Africa’s leading payments technology company.


South African fintechs Payflex and Merchant Capital launch cash advance solution for small retailers
Published: 03-03-2022 | 11:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Two South African fintechs, alternative lender Merchant Capital and buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) specialist Payflex, have launched a cash advance solution for small and mid-sized retail sector.


Netflix acquires Finnish mobile game developer Next Games for €65m
Published: 02-03-2022 | 14:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Netflix announced it has entered into a combination agreement to acquire Finnish mobile game developer, Next Games. Under the terms of the agreement, Netflix will commence a tender offer process to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Next Games.


South African cryptocurrency exchange VALR raises $50m Series B funding to expand across the continent
Published: 02-03-2022 | 12:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
VALR.com, a South Africa cryptocurrency exchange, announced it has raised $50 million, Africa’s largest ever crypto funding round, bringing the company`s valuation at $240 million.


Swappie raises $124 million Series C round to transform smartphone consumption
Published: 01-03-2022 | 14:31:28 | By: Bob Koigi
Swappie, the end-to-end online destination for buying and selling refurbished smartphones, has announced a $124M (€108M) Series C funding round.


Fintech platform M-KOPA secures $75m growth equity round to scale its African footprint
Published: 01-03-2022 | 12:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
M-KOPA, the fintech platform that provides connected financing and digital financial services to underbanked consumers across four markets in Africa, announced its $75 million growth equity round, bringing its total equity funding to $190 million.


Paperwork secures $2.5m seed funding to improve financial wellbeing of American families at all life stages
Published: 28-02-2022 | 13:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Paperwork, the financial wellness solution that transforms the way people organize and manage their financial lives, announced it has closed $2.5 million in seed funding in a raise led by Kickstart Fund.


Kenyan retail tech startup MarketForce raises $40m Series A to scale up super app for Africa’s informal merchants
Published: 22-02-2022 | 10:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
MarketForce, the Nairobi-headquartered B2B platform for retail distribution of consumer goods and digital financial services in Africa, announced the closing of a $40 million Series A round.


South African fintech Troygold digitises R300b in Krugerrands allowing owners to use value for day-to-day transactions
Published: 21-02-2022 | 14:24:31 | By: Pie Kamau
South Africans have an estimated R300 billion in Krugerrands hidden in drawers and safes, unaware that they could be using the value of their gold to fund day-to-day financial transactions.


Nigerian fintech startup Earnipay raises $4m to provide on-demand salary to workers
Published: 21-02-2022 | 14:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nigerian fintech startup Earnipay which provides flexible and on-demand salary access to income-earners has closed a seed round of $4 million.


MENA's c-Commerce startup Zbooni launches in Egypt
Published: 16-02-2022 | 09:59:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Zbooni, MENA's c-Commerce (connected commerce) platform, has announced its official launch in Egypt. The rapidly scaling startup, which is backed by regional and global investors, will support the backbone of the Egyptian economy.


South African fintech startup Stitch raises $21m Series A funding to scale its operations
Published: 15-02-2022 | 09:48:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South African API fintech startup Stitch has raised a $21 million Series A funding round to scale its operations.


Silicon Valley fintech startup Branch raises $300m to open mobile ecosystem, provide solution to walled gardens
Published: 14-02-2022 | 10:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Branch, the cross-platform solution for mobile linking and attribution, has secured $300 milion in funding at a $4 billion valuation, led by existing investor NEA.


Kenyan insurtech startup Lami acquires Bluewave Insurance Agency
Published: 04-02-2022 | 09:33:06 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan insurtech startup Lami Technologies has acquired Bluewave Insurance Agency, another Kenyan-based insurtech startup, for an undisclosed amount.


South African fintech Ukheshe achieves Level One B-BBEE rating
Published: 04-02-2022 | 09:27:47 | By: Pie Kamau
South African fintech, Ukheshe Technologies, has significantly improved its B-BBEE performance, becoming one of the only South African fintech enablers to achieve a Level One B-BBEE Contributor certification.


Docklands Ventures acquires South African proptech startup ParkUpp
Published: 04-02-2022 | 09:20:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Real estate investment company Docklands Ventures has acquired South African proptech startup ParkUpp for an undisclosed amount.


South African fintech startup CompariSure raises $980,000 pre-Series A funding to accelerate growth
Published: 31-01-2022 | 14:17:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South African fintech startup CompariSure, raised R15 million ($980,000) from Cape Town based HAVAÍC and 4Di in a pre-Series A funding round.


South African delivery startup Orderin raises $4.7m pre-Series B funding for expansion
Published: 27-01-2022 | 11:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South African B2B delivery-as-a-service (DaaS) startup Orderin has raised $4.7 million pre-Series B funding to scale its infrastructure and improve its last-mile delivery service.


Kenyan mobile commerce startup Copia raises $50m to ramp up African expansion
Published: 21-01-2022 | 12:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan-based mobile commerce platform Copia Global raised $50 million in a Series C equity round led by Goodwell Investments.


Sportstech startup Mustard raises $3.75m to democratize world-class coaching across major sports
Published: 20-01-2022 | 11:56:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Mustard, the world's first sensorless connected-coaching platform for skill sports, announced a $3.75 million seed round led by the Lake Nona Sports & Health Tech Fund.


[Kenya] Sankore announces pitch competition targeting blockchain startups
Published: 18-01-2022 | 09:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nairobi-headquartered blockchain community Sankore is launching the Sankore Pitch Competition Tour (PCT) in Nairobi.


British Fintech Farm raises $7.4m to launch Neobanks in 8 countries
Published: 17-01-2022 | 14:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Fintech Farm, a British fintech company creating neobanks in emerging markets, raised $7.4 million investment to develop its new project.


DeFi startup Giddy raises $8m seed round to accelerate growth
Published: 17-01-2022 | 13:53:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Giddy, a mobile app that enables mainstream DeFi adoption, has raised $8m in seed funding. The round was led by Pelion Venture partners.


Kenyan fintech startup Tanda inks deal with Twiga Foods to enable vendors vend its digital financial services
Published: 20-12-2021 | 14:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenya’s fintech startup Tanda announced a new partnership with Twiga Foods that will see Twiga vendors become a one-stop-shop for a variety of digital and financial services offered by Tanda.


Adanian Labs opens January 2022 cohort applications for its Venture Building Program
Published: 10-12-2021 | 10:22:45 | By: Bob Koigi
Adanian Labs has launched the Adanian Labs Venture Building Program call for startups for 2022. The program invites applications from tech entrepreneurs for the 2022 cohort of exceptional startups to join Adanian Labs in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Nigeria and South Africa.


Kenyan gaming startup Usiku Games develops Africa’s first mobile football game
Published: 23-11-2021 | 07:28:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan gaming startup Usiku Games unveiled an amateur football mobile game to promote outdoor physical activities and encourage sportsmanship among youths in East Africa.


South African fintech firm Ozow raises $48m Series B round to accelerate growth
Published: 23-11-2021 | 07:07:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South African fintech firm Ozow raised $48 million Series B funding round led by Chinese internet giant Tencent. Other investors Endeavor Catalyst and Endeavor Harvest Fund participating also participated in the round.


French gaming startup Million Victories raises $3 million funding to diversify its portfolio
Published: 18-11-2021 | 19:33:25 | By: Bob Koigi
Million Victories will use this funding to increase the studio’s headcount, scale it’s already quickly growing userbase, and develop new core mobile games to diversify its portfolio.


Crypto Valley Venture Capital initiates investment strategy to build blockchain accelerator for African startups
Published: 18-11-2021 | 10:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
African blockchain disruptors and early-stage startups have joined CV Labs Global Incubation Program Batch 03. The African contingent of incubatees is reflective of Crypto Valley Venture Capital’s (CV VC) global investment strategy.


South Africa's emergency marketplace startup AURA secures R62m Series A funding for global expansion
Published: 16-11-2021 | 11:18:18 | By: Pie Kamau
AURA, the African-based security and medical response marketplace secured R62 million in a Series A funding round, led by MultiChoice Group (MCG), KLT Holdings and Buffet Investments, positioning AURA favourably for its global expansion plans.


South African fleet-tech startup KeyTec and LocoNav enter Africa's video telematics market
Published: 11-11-2021 | 10:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South Africa fleet-tech startup KeyTec has partnered with LocoNav to capture the emerging and high-growth video telematics market throughout Africa.


South African fintech startupJumo raises $120 million to expand into new African markets
Published: 11-11-2021 | 08:41:46 | By: Bob Koigi
The latest funding round brings JUMO’s total funding raised to date to c$200 million. Prior investment rounds have included Leapfrog, Goldman Sachs, Finnfund, Proparco, Vostok Emerging Finance and Brook Asset Management.


South Africa based fintech startup SOLMate launches prepaid debit cards for consumers
Published: 04-11-2021 | 14:57:09 | By: Bob Koigi
In its ongoing effort to offer clients a fully-fledged financial ecosystem in their pockets, SOLMate has further enhanced its solutions with the launch of this new generation debit card.


Romanian startup Flip lands €1.5m from Prosus-owned eMAG, plans CEE leadership in refurbished products
Published: 03-11-2021 | 12:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Flip, a Romanian startup in the Recommerce market, landed the first eMAG Ventures accelerated investment worth 1.5 million euros and targets the leading position in Central and Eastern Europe.


South African e-Health startup RecoMed concludes $1.5m funding round to scale its online healthcare marketplace
Published: 28-10-2021 | 16:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
RecoMed, the online healthcare marketplace and booking platform in sub-Saharan Africa concluded a highly successful funding round of $1.5 million with a strong and diversified group of leading local and international investors.


Israeli mobile app startup Bites raises $5m seed funding for next-gen employee-communications and training application
Published: 22-10-2021 | 14:17:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Bites, a game-changing player in the employee communications and training industry, announced the completion of its seed funding round, raising $5 million.


Nigerian e-Commerce startup Sendbox raises $1.8m to digitize deliveries for African SMEs
Published: 19-10-2021 | 08:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nigerian e-Commerce fulfillment startup Sendbox announced the completion of $1.8 million seed round from investors including 4DX Ventures, Enza Capital, FJLabs and Golden Palm Investments.


PHYTunes startup closes $1.5m seed round to develop solution for full 5G inside residential, commercial buildings
Published: 06-10-2021 | 14:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
PHYTunes, a player in 5G at the Edge and wireless-wireline convergence, announced it has close its seed round of $1.5 million with investors Deutsche Telekom´s hub:raum.


South African fintech firm Ukheshe partners with Chipper Cash startup to accelerate rollout out of digital payment offerings
Published: 30-09-2021 | 15:29:32 | By: Pie Kamau
South African fintech firm Ukheshe Technologies has partnered with Chipper Cash to enhance and accelerate the rollout out of Chipper’s digital payment offerings.


Sports investing platform PredictionStrike raises $1.7m capital, launches new mobile app
Published: 08-09-2021 | 11:33:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Sports investing platform PredictionStrike announced its partnership with MaC Venture Capital and New Age Capital, as well as the launch of the company's new mobile app.


Sharp Alpha Advisors announces sports betting startup pitch competition in partnership with Sportradar
Published: 01-09-2021 | 13:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Sharp Alpha Advisors, a firm specializing in early-stage sports betting technology, and Sportradar, a global provider of sports betting and sports entertainment products and services, have partnered to announce a sports betting startup pitch competition.


Videogame startup Nifty Games raises $38m capital to redefine mobile sports games
Published: 01-09-2021 | 13:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nifty Games, a videogame developer and publisher focused on quick-session, head-to-head sports games for mobile, raised $26 million in a Series B round of equity funding led by Vulcan Capital. In addition, the company has secured $12 million in connected debt financing.


South African fintech startup SOL announces rebrand with new virtual card offering
Published: 01-09-2021 | 12:31:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South African fintech startup SOLmate, an online payment platform that offers clients a digital wallet facility, has unveiled a new product offering together with an extensive rebrand and renewed corporate vision.


South African fintech firm Ukheshe partners with dzcard to expand digital payment solutions in Asia Pacific
Published: 31-08-2021 | 12:35:47 | By: Pie Kamau
South Africa“s fintech startup Ukheshe which has been on a rapid expansion to different markets has announced a new partnership with global next-generation card solutions and digital security company, dzcard.


Mobile sports betting startup ZenSports receives its Nevada gaming license
Published: 24-08-2021 | 15:31:00 | By: Pie Kamau
ZenSports, the mobile sports betting app that offers consumers more choices and a better design than any other platform, has officially received its non-restricted gaming license from the Nevada Gaming Control Board.


Hybrid gaming startup and broadcaster Live Play Mobile launches 24-hour-a-day live-hosted social casino game
Published: 19-08-2021 | 12:35:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Live Play Mobile, a new social gaming platform developer that combines live TV formats with mobile games, has become the first publisher to launch a 24-hour-a-day, live-hosted social casino game with its debut title, Live Play Bingo.


[Startup Interview] Dylan Pfeil, Co-Founder, Business Solutions Centre, South Africa
Published: 16-08-2021 | 13:15:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Business Solutions Centre is a South African-based telecommunication startup that has embraced a business model of providing a one-stop shop for all digital needs of clients.


Naspers Foundry leads $8.3m Series A investment in South African insurtech startup Naked
Published: 06-08-2021 | 14:07:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Naspers, through its early-stage tech investment vehicle Naspers Foundry, invested $8.3 million (R120 million) in Naked, the artificial intelligence (AI)-driven insurtech startup that offers full digital insurance to cars, homes, and valuables.


South African payments startup Yoco raises $83m Series C funding to accelerate growth
Published: 28-07-2021 | 14:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South African payments startup Yoco has raised a Series C funding round of $83 million (R1.23 billion) to accelerate product development and reach more merchants in South Africa and beyond.


[Startup Interview] Dimitri Kalamoudacos,Co-founder, Entrepreneur Suite, South Africa
Published: 27-07-2021 | 12:13:45 | By: Bob Koigi
Entrepreneur Suite is a South African startup targeting micro retailers with an application that records valuable sales information that is then served back to the business owner as demand forecasting suggestions which are designed to provide profiting opportunities.


South African startup Omnisient raises $1.4m for global expansion
Published: 14-07-2021 | 11:53:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Omnisient, a secure data collaboration platform, has achieved its second raise this year totalling $1.4 million. The investments will be used to expand the Omnisient team, accelerate product development and drive international expansion.


Mobility startup NeXt unveils iFLY, a planet-friendly personal air vehicle for the masses
Published: 12-07-2021 | 15:40:00 | By: Pie Kamau
NeXt, an advanced air mobility startup unveiled iFLY, an all-new, all-electric vertical takeoff and landing personal air vehicle created for safe, convenient and planet-friendly transportation.


Seven South African legal startups to pitch for €10,000 grant
Published: 08-07-2021 | 11:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) kicked off its annual global Innovating Justice Challenge in search of the region’s best justice-related social entrepreneurs in March this year.


Kameo startup launches vaccine passport for the entertainment production industry
Published: 02-07-2021 | 13:00:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kameo, the provider of flexible mobile COVID-19 testing services for the entertainment production industry, announced the launch of its vaccine passport, an additional feature on its digital platform.


South African fintech startup Ukheshe Technologies announces boostXB joint venture with ForexPeople
Published: 01-07-2021 | 13:48:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South African fintech startup, Ukheshe Technologies has partnered with ForexPeople, one of the country’s names in forex with over 20 years of experience, to seamlessly facilitate cross-border payments from South Africa into Africa.


South African delivery startup Picup introduces premium driver network for businesses
Published: 29-06-2021 | 13:34:02 | By: Pie Kamau
South Africa's crowdsource delivery tech startup Picup has introduced a premium service aimed at businesses that require drivers to represent their brand.


Catalyst Fund announces Circle of Corporate Innovators to accelerate startup-corporate partnerships
Published: 29-06-2021 | 13:23:16 | By: Pie Kamau
Global inclusive tech accelerator Catalyst Fund, managed by BFA Global, today formally announced its Circle of Corporate Innovators, with its first members, Fidelity Bank, Ecobank, Sterling Bank, Access Bank and the VFD Group.


South African biotech startup LifeQ secures $47m in Series A funding
Published: 28-05-2021 | 13:59:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South Africa and US-based biotech startup LifeQ secured $47 million in Series A funding from One Bio Venture Studio, a Cape Town-based VC and several other investors.


AlphaCode announces four startups taking part in the second phase of its incubate programme in South Africa
Published: 20-05-2021 | 14:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
AlphaCode has announced the four fintech startups that will be part of the second phase of the AlphaCode Incubate programme.


South African fintech startup Ukheshe expands into Asia-Pacific region
Published: 20-05-2021 | 14:41:16 | By: Pie Kamau
South African fintech startup Ukheshe Technologies announced it will be expanding its footprint into the Asia-Pacific region as it introduces innovative digital-first payment solutions.


Hearable tech startup Noopl launches directional hearing device to enhance hearing in loud environments
Published: 12-05-2021 | 11:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Tech startup Noopl announced the availability of its acclaimed iPhone compatible directional hearing device to enhance hearing in loud environments to U.S. consumers.


DBSA launches second edition of the Youth Challenge in South Africa
Published: 05-05-2021 | 16:02:56 | By: Pie Kamau
The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), launched the second edition of the DBSA Youth Challenge, a competition aimed at harnessing innovative solutions from young people in South Africa to help address infrastructure challenges.


Grindstone accelerator programme opens applications for South African startups
Published: 20-04-2021 | 09:36:42 | By: Pie Kamau
Applications for this year’s Grindstone’s accelerator programme are now open. Grindstone is an equity-free structured entrepreneurship development programme that assists high-growth innovation-driven SMEs in South Africa.


South African digital health startup Quro Medical secures $1.1m seed funding to accelerate growth
Published: 15-04-2021 | 15:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Quro Medical, a South African digital health startup, emerged from stealth mode to announce the closure of its seed funding round to accelerate growth for Africa’s first technology-driven Hospital at Home offering.


AI video game wagering startup PLLAY secures additional $1m in funding
Published: 07-04-2021 | 16:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
PLLAY, a skill-based video game wagering platform, has raised an additional $1 million in funding, bringing its total to $4 million in an oversubscribed seed round.


Mobile payments startup DepositLink raises $3.5m to expand its payments platform for residential real estate
Published: 19-03-2021 | 13:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
DepositLink, the industry player in electronic payments for residential real estate transactions, announced the close of its successful series seed financing.


Mobile sports betting startup ZenSports closes $2.4m Series A round funding
Published: 16-03-2021 | 13:58:00 | By: Pie Kamau
ZenSports, the next-generation mobile sports betting app that offers both a traditional book plus peer-to-peer sports betting platform using fiat or cryptocurrencies, has announced the close of its new $2.4 million in Series A funding.


Kenyan startup Ajua, MTN Nigeria launch Customer Management mobile app for SMEs
Published: 15-03-2021 | 16:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan based startup Ajua has partnered with MTN Nigeria to launch EnGauge, a digital e-Commerce customer engagement management mobile app to support SMEs.


Vuzix Partners with marketing tech startup rooom AG to expand its presence in enterprise training on 3D Augmented Reality content
Published: 11-03-2021 | 10:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Vuzix Corporation, a supplier of Smart Glasses and Augmented Reality (AR) technology and products, announced a partnership with rooom AG, a marketing tech startup based in Germany that offers an innovative all-in-one solution for 3D and AR.


British startup QUVRY launches free iOS videocasting app for high-quality video calls
Published: 10-03-2021 | 14:57:28 | By: Pie Kamau
British startup QUVRY announced the launch of its free iOS videocasting app for high-quality video calls, to transform the video call experience.


7T launches Foundation Program to propel startups forward with innovative mobile apps & custom software
Published: 10-03-2021 | 14:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cutting-edge Dallas software development company 7T, Inc. has officially re-launched its Foundation Program, designed to provide startups with an actionable implementation plan for the development of a custom mobile app or software platform.


Tech startup Mokusei offers 100% funding aid for individuals to cover their education and travel expenses
Published: 04-03-2021 | 12:14:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Incorporated on 17 Feb 2021, Mokusei Intelligence (Mokusei), is a social impact & education centric tech startup focused on developing AI/ML based algorithms and solutions.


Startup Space announces two new hires to fuel growth, continue expansion
Published: 04-03-2021 | 11:28:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Startup Space, the innovative platform for entrepreneurship community building, announced the appointment of Reneida Leon as Head of Product and Molly King as Associate Director of Client Experience.


API-powered startup Reservec Global to selI its intellectual property
Published: 02-03-2021 | 16:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Reservec Global, a software startup based in Florida, announced it intends to sell its proprietary intellectual property. The downturn in travel spending caused by COVID-19 had a profound impact on the company's ability to grow.


Enygma Ventures targets Southern Africa women entrepreneurs with funding opportunities
Published: 02-03-2021 | 14:59:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Enygma Ventures, is looking for passionate women entrepreneurs to invest in. The venture capital fund was established by two successful women entrepreneurs who now invest in women entrepreneurs in Southern Africa.


Chicago-based startup Push raises $1m seed round to fuel mobile game that pays real prize money
Published: 23-02-2021 | 08:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Chicago-based startup Push closed a $1 million dollar round led by JBL Energy Partners & private investors, to fuel its live app played by tens of thousands of people, vying to win actual cash.


Teleporter mobile app 360VUZ joins first "Google for Startups Accelerator" in the MENA region
Published: 23-02-2021 | 07:34:00 | By: Pie Kamau
360VUZ, the immersive video mobile app was selected to join the first ever "Google for Startups Accelerator" in the MENA region, that is held by Google as part of its "Grow Stronger with Google Initiative"


HAVAÍC predicts bumper year for African tech startups
Published: 17-02-2021 | 14:48:07 | By: Bob Koigi
As one of South Africa’s most active Venture Capital investors, HAVAÍC says 2020 saw the commercial adoption of technology increase at unprecedented rates, as illustrated by the performance of HAVAÍC and its portfolio companies.


Next-gen XR video distribution startup YBVR secures $1.5m to accelerate growth
Published: 17-02-2021 | 12:37:00 | By: Pie Kamau
YBVR, a next-generation XR video distribution platform, announced a $1.5 million Pre-Series A funding round with participation from Verizon Ventures, Telefonica's Wayra and Tech Coast Angels.


African startup StarNews Mobile launches incubator for South African youths interested in digital film
Published: 01-02-2021 | 14:23:41 | By: Pie Kamau
StarNews Mobile launched its grassroots Youth Initiative incubator in partnership with Solutions on Point to empower young individuals interested in the digital film industry in South Africa.


South African VC firm Knife Capital launches 2nd 12J Venture Capital Fund
Published: 01-02-2021 | 14:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South Africa’s VC firm Knife Capital announced the launch of its second Section 12J Venture Capital Fund to allow new investors to participate.


TransUnion partners with South Africa's fintech startup Fincheck to improve access to finance for consumers
Published: 20-01-2021 | 08:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Global information and insights company, TransUnion, has partnered with South Africa’s financial marketplace, Fincheck, to make credit application process easier and less frustrating for consumers.


The African youth powering a gaming revolution
Published: 19-01-2021 | 12:45:00 | By: Bob Koigi
As esports dominate modern entertainment industry as a fast growing sport, Kenya and South Africa youth continue to dominate the world of competitive video gaming.


realme promises more products in 2021 as it cements Kenyan market share
Published: 14-01-2021 | 15:30:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Phone manufacturer realme is promising to grow its Kenyan foothold in 2021 through release of new products, riding on a successful 2020.


[Startup Interview] Tony Botha, Managing Director, carbonTRACK Africa, South Africa
Published: 14-01-2021 | 08:12:00 | By: Bob Koigi
carbonTRACK Africa is a South Africa technology startup that seeks to create a world where energy is consumed sustainably, shared fairly and empowers all people. The ultimate goal is establishing an energy ecosystem that will close the gap between energy supply and demand.


Italy responds to pandemic with 53 innovative startups at 2021 CES
Published: 11-01-2021 | 14:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Against the backdrop of the worst public health crisis in more than a century, the Italian Trade Agency will introduce a new generation of technology startups at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) All Digital from January 11 to 14.


[Startup Interview] Deon de Swardt, Co-Founder, Africa People Advisory Group, South Africa
Published: 05-01-2021 | 10:46:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Africa People Advisory Group is a South Africa Human Resource Advisory firm whose primary focus is to deliver consulting and product solutions to organizations operating in and across the African continent. The firm’s Co-founder Deon de Swardt explains the company’s business model and plans.


realme reaches a record 50 million global shipments
Published: 31-12-2020 | 08:10:00 | By: Bob Koigi
As phone maker realme continues to break record by being among the few brands to have unveiled six new smartphones and AIot products in the Kenyan markets within four months, Kenyans consumers have responded with an appetite for the novel products.


realme 7i novel photo and video features excites Kenyan customers
Published: 22-12-2020 | 12:20:00 | By: Bob Koigi
With a range of remarkably beautiful specifications, the realme 7i allows one to shoot the world from multiple perspectives with its 64MP AI quad-camera.


AI video game wagering startup PLLAY launches MicroVentures campaign, builds on $3m seed round
Published: 18-12-2020 | 12:20:00 | By: Pie Kamau
PLLAY, a skill-based video game wagering platform, officially launched a campaign on MicroVentures, an equity-based crowdfunding website, opening an investment opportunity to the public.


54gene, Kobo360, myFanPark, Sokowatch among 12 startups to win AppsAfrica Awards 2020
Published: 16-12-2020 | 15:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
54gene, Kobo360, myFanPark and Sokowatch have been named among the 12 winners of AppsAfrica Awards 2020. The awards celebrates the best startups in mobile and tech from across Africa.


South Africa agritech startup Aerobotics raises funds for global expansion
Published: 16-12-2020 | 09:05:40 | By: Bob Koigi
FMO and Cathay AfricInvest Innovation have invested in Aerobotics, a South African AgriTech startup developing intelligent tools to the feed the world.


African startup StarNews Mobile secures first funding from Investisseurs & Partenaires
Published: 15-12-2020 | 14:34:32 | By: Pie Kamau
African startup StarNews Mobile, specialized in the field of mobile video, achieved its first fundraising with Investisseurs & Partenaires, a pioneering impact investing group dedicated to small and medium-sized enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa.


Industrial AI solutions startup MakinaRocks joins NVIDIA Inception
Published: 11-12-2020 | 12:42:40 | By: Pie Kamau
MakinaRocks, a startup based in Seoul and Silicon Valley, specializes in the emerging field of industrial AI software with a primary focus on anomaly detection and intelligent control technology.


South African tech startup LetMeIn.to raises R2.2m to scale its visitor and access management platform
Published: 07-12-2020 | 19:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South African tech startup LetMeIn.to raised R2.2 million in funding from an undisclosed impact investor to scale up and expand its visitor and access management platform.


South African startup myFanPark merges with Starsona to create a global celebrity engagement platform
Published: 04-12-2020 | 11:19:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South African startup myFanPark has announced its merger with Silicon Valley-based celebrity engagement platform Starsona.


Community app Malaeb joins MENA's sportstech accelerator, Vooora
Published: 01-12-2020 | 07:31:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Vooora Ventures, the first SportsTech Accelerator in MENA, powered by Kooora.com, the digital sports platform in the Arab World, signed an acceleration partnership agreement with Malaeb, a community app that connects people through sports.


Kilimall targets Kenyan smartphone customers with discounts on realme brands
Published: 25-11-2020 | 13:45:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Kenya’s online shopping platform Kilimall has announced the flash sale of three flagship realme smartphones on Friday 27 November 2020 as part of Black Friday.


South African fintech startup Ukheshe to acquire Oltio, strengthens partnership with Mastercard
Published: 23-11-2020 | 07:53:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South African fintech startup Ukheshe announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Oltio, a mobile technology company that developed Mastercard’s QR payment service Masterpass in South Africa.


South Korea's StradVision joins NVIDIA Inception program as premier partner
Published: 20-11-2020 | 12:59:59 | By: Pie Kamau
StradVision has joined NVIDIA Inception, a virtual accelerator program designed to nurture companies that are revolutionizing industries with advancements in AI and data sciences.


GR0 launches SEO studio for direct-to-consumer startups
Published: 20-11-2020 | 12:47:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Digital marketing agency GR0 has officially launched a startup studio located in the Playa Vista area with a main focus in organic growth for direct-to-consumer startups.


South Africa's MetroFibre Networx completes new capital raise from AIIM and STOA
Published: 18-11-2020 | 11:25:26 | By: Pie Kamau
African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM), Africa’s infrastructure-focused private equity fund managers, has acquired a minority equity stake in MetroFibre Networx, a South African open access fibre network operator.


Readout Health startup partners with Apollo Health for management of neurodegenerative disease
Published: 17-11-2020 | 14:10:20 | By: Pie Kamau
Readout Health, a digital biomarker startup, announced partnership with Apollo Health, a health technology leader in neurodegenerative medicine.


realme announces official sale of realme C12 in Kenya
Published: 17-11-2020 | 12:15:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Smartphone manufacturer realme has partnered with online shops like Kilimall and other offline platforms for the sale of realme C12 which was launched in Kenya last week alongside realme 7i.


AI Media Group launches Africa’s first AI-focused free investment matchmaking service for African startups
Published: 16-11-2020 | 12:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The AI Media Group has launched The Deal Room, Africa’s first artificial intelligence (AI) focused, free investment matchmaking service which aims to connect African AI focused startups to interested investors and venture capitalists (VCs).


Peer-to-peer solar leasing startup Sun Exchange announces African expansion in Zimbabwe
Published: 11-11-2020 | 15:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South African peer-to-peer solar leasing startup Sun Exchange marked its official expansion into sub-Saharan Africa with the first of three crowdsales for a multiphase, 1.9 megawatt (MW) solar-plus-storage project for Nhimbe Fresh.


Chicago startup qReveal launches affordable QR code menu and price list solution
Published: 10-11-2020 | 12:31:56 | By: Pie Kamau
Responding to the challenging scene of a myriad of health and safety protocols facing restaurants and other businesses, Chicago startup qReveal has launched a platform that builds easy to use QR code menus and price lists.


Launch of realme 7i and reame C12 heralds new dawn for Kenyan smartphone industry
Published: 10-11-2020 | 10:15:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Riding on the warm reception its flagship products continue to receive among Kenyan customers, smartphone manufacturer realme has launched realme C12 and realme 7i in Kenya.


Mastercard co-innovates with 10 new fintechs to reshape the future of commerce
Published: 10-11-2020 | 07:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Mastercard has welcomed 10 fintechs from around the world to participate in its startup engagement program, Start Path, to scale the future of commerce.


African startups more investible now than ever
Published: 09-11-2020 | 09:20:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Africa’s startups have never been more investible than now. There is a growing number of professional ‘super angels’ involved in record-breaking deals, and private equity investments have doubled since last year.


realme C12 and realme 7i set for simultaneous launch
Published: 06-11-2020 | 10:15:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Buoyed by the growing popularity realme smartphones continue to enjoy in the Kenyan market in recent months, the phone manufacturer has announced the simultaneous launch of realme C12 and realme 7i.


Paxful partners with African fintech startup Uhuru Wallet to ease money transfers
Published: 04-11-2020 | 11:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Crypto marketplace Paxful announced it is adding Uhuru Wallet as a payment method to its platform, to help provide easy access to the crypto economy for users in Southern Africa.


kathy ireland Worldwide expands health advocacy through partnership with tech startup mymedicalimages.com
Published: 28-10-2020 | 13:38:53 | By: Pie Kamau
Medical imaging technology startup mymedicalimages.com has partnered with kathy ireland Worldwide (kiWW) for a new, cutting-edge patient-centric medical image sharing platform.


realme 7i to launch in Kenya in November
Published: 27-10-2020 | 16:45:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Smartphone manufacturer realme has announced the entry of its newest brand realme 7i in the Kenyan market on Tuesday November 10 at 11:00am East African time.


realme introduces Buds Q in Kenya
Published: 26-10-2020 | 08:15:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Global smartphone manufacturer realme has unveiled the realme Buds Q in the Kenyan market as it seeks to position itself as a smartphone brand for the urbane and suave youthful generation.


realme feted in global design awards as products enjoy sustained uptake
Published: 21-10-2020 | 12:00:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Smartphone manufacturer continues to be a frontrunner in design of its products.


Australian retail tech startup Tiliter raises $7.5m for cashierless AI shopping technology
Published: 21-10-2020 | 11:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Tiliter, artificial intelligence (AI) provider whose technology uses computer vision to recognise products without barcodes compled a $7.5 million capital raise led by Investec Emerging Companies (IEC).


Sabio Group acquires Anana to extend customer experience capability
Published: 12-10-2020 | 13:08:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Sabio Group has acquired customer experience solutions specialist Anana. The acquisition supports Sabio’s goal to become the leading player across the European customer experience market.


Greenwood closes $3m seed round to build online banking solution for Blacks and Latinx
Published: 09-10-2020 | 17:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Greenwood has secured $3 million in seed funding from private investors as the first digital banking platform for Black and Latinx people and business owners.


Texas-based startup Viva First launching new mobile bank for Latinos in the U.S.
Published: 08-10-2020 | 15:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Texas-based startup, Viva First, is launching a new mobile bank with the Latino community in mind, all 52 million in the United States.


German tech startup CloudRadar launches new data center in Johannesburg, South Africa
Published: 08-10-2020 | 09:28:00 | By: Pie Kamau
German tech startup CloudRadar is launching its cloud-based IT-monitoring service in South Africa, ahead of further global expansion, to help ensure IT stability for regional businesses in the face of rapid, pandemic-fuelled digitisation.


German environmental IoT startup Dryad raises €1.8m for ultra-early wildfire detection system
Published: 07-10-2020 | 13:18:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Environmental IoT startup Dryad Networks has secured seed funding of €1.8 million to develop a large-scale IoT network for the ultra-early detection of wildfires - the Internet of Trees.


Swiss healthtech startup Mobile Health AG selects Infosys for its commercial launch of Consilium Care
Published: 07-10-2020 | 11:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Infosys, next-generation digital services and consulting company has been selected by Mobile Health AG to enhance the go-to-market (GTM) strategy for its electronically patient-reported outcomes (ePRO) platform, Consilium Care™.


realme C15 second hot sale set for early October
Published: 02-10-2020 | 15:00:00 | By: Bob Koigi
After the successful launch and roll out of realme C15, the world’s fastest-growing smartphone brand, realme, is set to rollout the second Hot Sale for the realme C15.


Swisscom, Ericsson and Qualcomm join forces to find world's most innovative 5G startups
Published: 28-09-2020 | 15:14:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Switzerland's telecommunications and IT company Swisscom is joining forces with Ericsson and Qualcomm CDMA Technologies GmbH to identify the world's most innovative startups and research teams working on 5G applications.


Mastercard announces Fintech Express to empower Middle East and Africa fintechs to launch and expand rapidly
Published: 24-09-2020 | 16:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Mastercard has launched Fintech Express in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), a program designed to facilitate emerging fintechs’ launch and expansion.


London-based startup TopTip plans to give half its shares to its users
Published: 23-09-2020 | 13:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
London-based startup Useful Interruptions, owner of the TopTip recommendations app, announced the launch of its Founders Club programme that aims to give half the shares in the company to users of TopTip.


[Startup Interview] Marthinus Coetzee, CEO, iPTT Africa, South Africa
Published: 22-09-2020 | 11:02:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Iptt africa (pty) Limited, a South African telecommunications startup, solves the communication problems faced by many businesses and organizations in Africa through its italkptt platform that allows businesses to communicate from anywhere in Africa to anywhere in the world. The CEO Marthinus Coetzee elaborates.


ZenSports closes additional $1.46m Seed funding for U.S. and international expansion
Published: 18-09-2020 | 12:52:00 | By: Pie Kamau
ZenSports, the mobile peer-to-peer sports betting marketplace announced a new $1.46 million Seed round of funding to expand into the United States, as well as to continue to grow its international presence.


realme unveils realme C15, the first 6000mAh smartphone in Kenya
Published: 18-09-2020 | 09:45:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Emerging mobile phone brand realme has unveiled the latest addition to its C-series stable, the realme C15, in Kenya as it seeks to capture one of the most advanced mobile phone markets in the continent.


Trust Payments partners with messaging and e-commerce startup Wakanda Messenger to empower Africans around the world
Published: 17-09-2020 | 11:05:41 | By: Pie Kamau
Trust Payments, the global unified payments group for global pay-in, pay-out and customer journey technologies, has partnered with social network, messaging and e-commerce startup Wakanda Messenger.


Bidbud launches app that allows workers to place bids on posted jobs
Published: 16-09-2020 | 11:14:37 | By: Bob Koigi
Bidbud, a mobile application that brings the power of trade and commerce back into the hands of the people, has announced its official launch on iOS and Android devices.


realme set to unveil its latest brand realme C15 in Kenya
Published: 14-09-2020 | 09:45:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Global smartphone manufacturer realme has announced September 18 as the day it will unveil its latest brand in the Kenyan market, the realme C15,


The realme 6 and realme Band revolution in Kenya smartphone market
Published: 11-09-2020 | 14:30:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Realme 6 that premiered in Kenya in early September is already making waves as evidenced by the number of sales and inquiries across online shops among them Jumia Kenya.


Early investors in 4IR startups set to reap rewards
Published: 08-09-2020 | 15:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Early investors in startups with exposure to the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) are benefiting from significant revenue growth despite the physical constraints introduced by governments’ responses to the Covid-19 pandemic.


Two new realme phone models set to revolutionize Kenya's smartphone market
Published: 25-08-2020 | 13:00:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Phone maker realme has launched two models in the Kenya market weeks after it officially launched operations in the country.


realme smartphone brand adds presence in Kenya
Published: 04-08-2020 | 13:00:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Emerging smartphone brand realme, has launched in Kenya as part of its global growth and expansion strategy.


Futuregrowth invests in South African online services disruptor startup SweepSouth
Published: 21-07-2020 | 15:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Futuregrowth has invested in SweepSouth, a disruptive online platform for booking, managing and paying for home cleaning, and now a variety of other services.


Dutch fintech startup BUX launches zero-commission investing app to French users
Published: 20-07-2020 | 16:48:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Dutch fintech startup BUX has launched its zero-commission investing app to French users, making it the first neobroker of its kind in the market.


South African animation and gaming startup Sea Monster secures $1m funding
Published: 17-07-2020 | 15:22:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Animation, gaming and AR/VR company Sea Monster announced the conclusion of a $1m investment from FirstRand’s Vumela Fund.


[Startup Interview] Anton Herbst, CEO, Vincula Holdings, South Africa
Published: 14-07-2020 | 17:00:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Vincula Holdings, domiciled in Johannesburg South Africa, is a startup connecting employers, project sponsors, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers through a platform that also seeks to provide participants with worldwide and focused exposure to grow their market share.


Catalyst Fund announces seventh cohort of inclusive fintech startups
Published: 09-07-2020 | 15:35:37 | By: Bob Koigi
Catalyst Fund, the global inclusive fintech accelerator, has announced that six new fintech startups, from Nigeria, South Africa, Mexico and India are joining its existing portfolio of 31 companies.


[Startup Interview] Riaan Rautenbach, CEO, Live Fr8, South Africa
Published: 30-06-2020 | 14:07:15 | By: Bob Koigi
LIVE FR8™ is a South African startup that offers cargo suppliers and transporters improved and cheaper logistics services through cloud technology. Cargo suppliers and transporters connect directly.


[Startup Interview] Anton Janovsky, Founder, Giga Technology, South Africa
Published: 30-06-2020 | 13:11:36 | By: Bob Koigi
Giga Technology is a South African telecommunications startup involved in the manufacture and export of a host of communication technologies across Africa and Europe.


[Startup Interview] Katlego Malatji, CEO, ProjectOne Engineering, South Africa
Published: 30-06-2020 | 12:52:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Katlego Malatji is the CEO of ProjectOne, a South African based innovative engineering consultancy company that focuses on 4IR projects in manufacturing.


[Startup Interview] Seth Wessels, Co-Founder, Tungston Trading, South Africa
Published: 26-06-2020 | 15:05:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Tungston Trading based in South Africa is a business involved in the supply of cast iron range of products to the retail merchants for home improvements and plumbing.


Dutch fintech startup BUX expands into Germany and Austria
Published: 17-06-2020 | 13:02:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Dutch mobile investing startup BUX has extended its European expansion with the launch of new app BUX Zero in Germany and Austria.


Naspers Foundry invests R100 million in South African agri-tech startup, Aerobotics
Published: 11-06-2020 | 14:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Naspers announced a R100 million investment in agritech business Aerobotics, through its early-stage business funding initiative Naspers Foundry. Aerobotics is a subscription-based artificial intelligence (AI) company that provides intelligent tools for the agricultural industry to manage its crops.


Solar leasing startup Sun Exchange secures $3 million investment from ARCH for African market expansion
Published: 09-06-2020 | 13:34:00 | By: Pie Kamau
South African solar leasing startup Sun Exchange has secured a $3 million investment from ARCH Emerging Markets Partners’ Africa Renewable Power Fund (ARPF), marking the close of $4 million Series-A funding round.


Dutch firm CNBB invests in South African employee engagement solution startup, Wyzetalk
Published: 29-05-2020 | 11:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Dutch investment company CNBB Venture Partners has made a multi-million euro investment in Wyzetalk, a fast-growing digital employee engagement company.


France cloud based phone system Aircall secures $65 million to fund expansion
Published: 27-05-2020 | 14:56:00 | By: Bob Koigi
French tech startup Aircall has raised $65 million in Series C funding as it looks to bolster its cloud-based voice platform and fund its expansion.


[South Africa] Food delivery startup Zulzi raises $1.6 million to expand operations
Published: 18-05-2020 | 15:02:39 | By: Bob Koigi
Zulzi, a South Africa based on-demand delivery platform has bagged R30 million ($1.6 million) funding from an unnamed JSE-listed company, aimed to expand its operations.


[Startup Interview] Candace Knox, CEO, Fat Finger Technologies, South Africa
Published: 15-05-2020 | 16:16:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Fat Finger Technologies in South Africa offers an array of Information Technology services and solutions ranging from simple office networks to full cloud-hosted solutions to public facing networks with internet fail-over.


[Startup Interview] Razia Adam, CEO, Lwandle RNS Holdings, South Africa
Published: 15-05-2020 | 11:03:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Razia Adam is the founder and CEO of Lwandle RNS Holdings, a South African mining startup that has since 2015 been providing industry players digitization processes and systems in order to enable high production rates.


[Startup Interview] Daniel Greaves, CEO, Fuel to Fly, South Africa
Published: 08-05-2020 | 18:15:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Daniel Greaves is the founder and CEO of South Africa-based startup Fuel to Fly that offer boutique sales outreach services that are powered by advanced data analytics.


[Startup Interview] Elton Greeve, CEO, EMG Agri Solutions, South Africa
Published: 27-04-2020 | 09:13:00 | By: Bob Koigi
EMG Agri Solutions, a South African startup offers business planning, management consulting, strategic management, and specialized project management for agri-businesses. The focus is on providing farmers and agri-businesses with specialist advisory solutions.


US startup Nifty Games raises over $12 million in Series A financing
Published: 25-04-2020 | 10:14:30 | By: Bob Koigi
Nifty Games Inc., a developer and publisher focused on quick-session, head-to-head sports games for mobile devices, has secured more than $12 million in Series A financing, with $15 million raised to date.


[Startup Interview] Josephine Pretorius, Founder, Consolidated Marketing Services, South Africa
Published: 24-04-2020 | 10:27:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Josephine Pretorius is the founder and CEO of Consolidated Marketing Services, CMS, a South African startup offering marketing and PR services to clients predominantly in the energy and power infrastructure sector.


[Startup Interview] Mhlengi Ngcobo, CEO, CoffeMM, South Africa
Published: 04-03-2020 | 12:25:00 | By: Bas Vlugt
CoffeeMM, a South African startup in the coffee business has been working with smallholder farmers in South Africa, Mozambique, Burundi and Zimbabwe to process their raw coffee for the retail market. Besides connecting them to international


[Startup Interview] Rich Cheary, CEO, PT SportSuite, South Africa
Published: 26-02-2020 | 12:52:00 | By: Bob Koigi
PT SportSuite is a South African company whose mission is to digitally disrupt the sporting industry’s media landscape by allowing sporting organisations to operate like commercially-minded modern media houses, while building


[Startup Interview] Lwazi Nongauza, Executive Director, BTN Mobile, South Africa
Published: 02-08-2019 | 12:42:00 | By: Bas Vlugt
BTN Mobile is a South African digital telecommunications network that seeks to revolutionize the telecommunications landscape in the country and beyond while bridging the digital divide by making ICT services available to the underserved at a reasonable rate