Denis Opudo
Katapult Accelerator which is based in Norway has invited the African startups to apply for an impact-tech program which gives startups skill assistance and $150, 000 funding. Applications are ongoing until 15 December 2017. The Catapult Accelerator is sourcing for startups that use artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR) and the Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to solve environmental and social challenges.
The forum will be hosted in Oslo and for a span of three months from February 2018. The shortlisted startups will take home $150,000 in exchange for the eight percent fairness in the business and will have an opportunity to attend training and mentorship programs for the whole time that they will be there. Some processes will be under the African startups at the Oslo like, accessing more funds, dedicated expertise to discharge potential of AI in their businesses, and a network of leading particular mentors.
Some companies will also have a chance to participate in a one month follow up the program in New York with Katapult partner ERA. ERA is a leading startup accelerator which has developed 127 investments since 2011 and commands a network of above 350 mentors and some industry partners. Amongst the 12 startups shortlisted to join the last bunch of the Katapult Accelerator was a Sky.Garden which is a Kenyan startup.
Sky.Garden is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) forum for a mobile business built specifically for African entrepreneurs. It is an online platform that gives entrepreneurs an opportunity to sell their products.
