John Momban
Ten emerging startups battled it out on November 3 rd to represent Botswana at the Seedstars World Summit.
TechInAfrica – YAPILI, a peer to peer website and Android app connecting Africans to doctors for health advice, beat out other top business innovations for a chance to walk away with 500,000 USD. Studentpark, a platform for students to receive accurate information from relevant stakeholders, came in second. And Indie Studios Africa, a social eccomerce consultancy addressing the needs of the unbanked in emerging markets, won third place. YAPILIs pilot project is already underway in nine African countries including Botswana, Zambia, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Uganda.
The medical startup will represent Botswana among 75 winners expected to pitch at the April 2018 Seedstars World Summit taking place in Switzerland. Managing Director and co-Founder of Udugu Botswana, Thabo Theron, a local representative of Seedstars World said, “Local startups that have gone through the process continue to benefit from being involved in this movement.” RES4Africa will host an exclusive networking event for five of the best startups to compete for the Africa Energy Prize worth a three month acceleration program and valued up to 50,000 USD beyond the event. The event will be sourced by Enel Green Power in collaboration with Seedstars world. This is the third Seedstars Gaborone event, and sponsors expect it to have profound effect on the African economy. 61M has been raised in the past and more than 1000 people employed worldwide. The competition vetted the candidates on the criteria of pitching prowess, ability to solve regional issues, and build profitable products for a global market.
Stanbic Bank Botswana, a main partner of Seedstar Gaborone, has been committed to the initiative.
Mr. Onkabetse Morapedi, Head of Enterprise at Stanbic Bank Botswana, said “As Stanbic Bank Botswana, we believe there is a wealth of potential and talent in the entrepreneurial and innovation space across Botswana. The onus is on us as established as established organizations to share our insight, knowledge and experience, to help these new startups make their mark.” Startups selected to pitch at Seedstars Gaborone were all below 2 years in business, had profit less than 500,000 USD and had a minimum viable product. Runner-ups Student Park and Indie Studies Africa pitched in the first session alongside competitors Medmall Africa, Lunchbox, and Job Card. YAPILI wowed the judges in the second pitching session beating out rivals Optimum Q, Leintel, Keakopa Explore, and Plaasio. The event took place in the VIP Lounge at the University of Bostwana stadium.
