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Published: 06-04-2018 16:44:00 | By: Nico Scherphuis | hits: 3802043 | 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.






Kenyan green entrepreneurs mark Day of Zero Waste with festival
Published: 04-04-2024 | 10:30:00 | By: Bob Koigi
The Fest culminated a week-long digital campaign dubbed #BeatPlasticPollution aimed at addressing the plastic pollution menace in Mombasa.








Conference discusses the role of nature-based solutions in healing the planet
Published: 12-03-2024 | 12:30:00 | By: Bob Koigi
The Global EverGreening Alliance in partnership with the Government of Zambia, AFR100, and AUDA-NEPAD has convened a global conference bringing together global thought leaders and action-takers to deliberate and come up with actionable strategies to tap into the potential of nature to address challenges.




















[Kenya] Mombasa innovators showcase green innovations during the royal visit
Published: 09-11-2023 | 08:00:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Mombasa’s young innovators addressing marine plastic pollution caught the attention of King Charles III and Queen Camilla during their royal visit to Kenya. 






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.


Aussie startup Refilled launches to save single-use plastic bottles sold from vending machines
Published: 14-09-2023 | 10:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Refilled, a climate tech startup, has been launched.


Treefera secures $2.2m to revolutionize carbon offsetting through AI-driven transparency
Published: 13-09-2023 | 15:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Treefera announced the successful closure of a $2.2 million pre-seed funding round.


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.


One Campaign urges African leaders to elevate policy changes to tackle climate change
Published: 04-09-2023 | 12:00:00 | By: Bob Koigi
The One Campaign is urging all leaders to use this pivotal moment to unite around a shared pan-African agenda – one that brings justice and prosperity.


[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.


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.


Nature Coatings secures $2.45m funding to accelerate growth
Published: 10-08-2023 | 16:19:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nature Coatings announced the successful completion of an oversubscribed $2.45 million seed funding round.


Bion initiates startup of livestock waste treatment technology demonstration project
Published: 25-07-2023 | 11:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Bion Environmental Technologies has initiated integrated system startup.


[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.


Carbon neutral startups are the key to our future, Plug and Play
Published: 21-07-2023 | 15:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The escalating impact of climate change has highlighted the importance of confronting greenhouse gas.


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.


[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.


[Kenya] Entrepreneurs tackling marine plastics problems feted
Published: 02-06-2023 | 13:30:00 | By: Bob Koigi
The awards, which showcased the most effective solutions to tackle Mombasa’s marine plastics problem, were the culmination of a six-month initiative funded by USAID and Global Affairs Canada.


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.


Climate tech startup Amini raises $2m to solve environmental data scarcity for Africa
Published: 18-05-2023 | 14:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Amini, Corp. has raised $2 million in pre-seed funding in an oversubscribed round.


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! 


The 7 most sustainable cities creating the future of work after COVID-19, Plug and Play
Published: 16-05-2023 | 12:59:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The World Health Organization recently announced that COVID-19 is no longer a global emergency. However, the impact of the pandemic has left a lasting mark on all industries.


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.


Finnish AI-powered Linda platform CollectiveCrunch secures €1.4m investment round to accelerate growth
Published: 15-03-2023 | 10:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
CollectiveCrunch, the creator of the AI-powered Linda platform that enables sustainable forestry at scale, announced the closing of a €1.4 million investment round led by existing investor Nidoco AB.


African startups compete for £4.1 million funding to tackle pollution
Published: 14-03-2023 | 09:00:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Kenyan and Nigerian startups have dominated the cohort of finalists for the Afri-Plastics Challenge that is seeking solutions to  plastic waste and reducing pollution that makes its way into the marine environment.


[Column] Shabir Ahmed: Practical approach, clear business case needed for sustainability success
Published: 07-03-2023 | 13:22:00 | By: Pie Kamau
A growing wealth of evidence shows that sustainability has become a mainstream business and societal issue. Leading companies are embracing sustainability not only to reduce harmful practices but also to accelerate business transformation.


[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.


AfricaGoGreen Fund secures $47m to support tech-focused green projects in Africa
Published: 23-02-2023 | 13:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The AfricaGoGreen Fund (AGGF) has raised $47 million in combined investments from top financial organizations, including the IFC, AfDB, the Nordic Development Fund (NDF), and the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA).


[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.


London-based Ocean 14 Capital receives €30m to back marine innovators saving the seas
Published: 22-02-2023 | 13:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Ocean 14 Capital fund has received an investment of €30 million from Ingka Investments to support its mission of funding sustainable solutions to improve ocean health.


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.


Mombasa Plastic Prize selects 60 Kenyan innovators to tackle plastic pollution along the coastline
Published: 14-02-2023 | 14:04:38 | By: Bob Koigi
 Aged 18-25, the finalists are grouped into 15 teams and are now in a race to be one of the top three teams to win over KES 7 million of cash prizes.  The first-place team will take home KES 3.5 million.  


Seven African startups to receive $385k to develop solutions for the blue economy
Published: 08-02-2023 | 10:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Climate resilience venture launcher Triggering Exponential Climate Action (TECA), has announced the selection of seven African startups to each receive $55,000 in funding to advance their solutions for the blue economy across the continent.


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.


The Carbon Blockchain expands footprint in Africa with acquisition of Minerva Green
Published: 04-01-2023 | 15:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Carbon Blockchain (TCB), a carbon finance and technology services company that produces high-integrity carbon credits has announced the acquisition of Minerva Green.


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.


Italian biodiversity startup 3Bee raises €5m to scale the protection of pollinators in Europe
Published: 16-12-2022 | 13:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Italian-based scale-up 3Bee (a world with bees), which operates both in the B2C and B2B protection of ecosystems and pollinators area has raised €5 million series A funding round.


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.


Agroforestry startup Propagate raises $10m Series A funding to accelerate growth
Published: 30-11-2022 | 13:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Propagate, a commercial agroforestry platform, has closed a $10 million Series A led by Belgium-based The Nest.


IBM announces five members selected for its Sustainability Accelerator programme
Published: 22-11-2022 | 10:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
IBM has announced five global non-profits as new members of the Sustainability Accelerator programme. The programme is a global pro bono social impact program which seeks to help marginalized communities.


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.


Hong Kong and Singapore lead green fintech development among the five economies in the APEC region, study
Published: 31-10-2022 | 10:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
GoImpact, together with The CUHK Business School, released the findings from their working paper, Exploring the Green Fintech Ecosystem in Asia: Insights from Five Economies in APEC.


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.


Żabka Group, Kozminski Business Hub launch second edition of acceleration programme for Polish environmental startups
Published: 10-10-2022 | 12:59:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Żabka Group in collaboration with Kozminski Business Hub, a Kozminski University organisation which seeks and supports startups, is launching the second edition of the acceleration programme.


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.


German startup Dryad closes €10.5m Series A funding to speed up early wildfire detection technology
Published: 25-08-2022 | 11:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Dryad, the only provider of solar-powered environmental sensor networks for ultra-early wildfire detection and forest monitoring, has closed €10.5m in Series A funding.


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.


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.


D3 launches first cohort of startups to accelerate scaling of carbon dioxide removal solutions
Published: 20-07-2022 | 09:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Global climate technology accelerator Third Derivative (D3), has launched a focused cohort of five promising startups working on durable carbon dioxide removal (CDR) solutions.


Carbon Business Council launches to create a seat at the policy table for carbon management startups
Published: 19-07-2022 | 13:29:59 | By: Pie Kamau
The Carbon Business Council (CO2BC) has launched, to advocate for early-stage companies focused on removing, utilizing, and managing carbon dioxide.


Cleantech startup Greener Process Systems develops modular system to capture maritime and industrial emissions
Published: 12-07-2022 | 15:05:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Greener Process Systems filed a series of patents that demonstrate their focus will expand to general industrial applications as well as further developments in CO2 capture, storage and re-utilization.


Climentum Capital raises €150m to invest in European early-stage tech startups attacking CO2 emissions
Published: 05-07-2022 | 15:34:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Climentum Capital announced it has raised €150 million for investments into European early-stage tech companies attacking CO2 emissions.


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.


Temasek launches investment platform GenZero to accelerate decarbonisation globally
Published: 06-06-2022 | 13:23:41 | By: Pie Kamau
Temasek announced the launch of GenZero, a wholly-owned investment platform company dedicated to accelerating decarbonisation globally.


Vancouver cleantech startup VoltSafe introduces electrical technology to reduce the effects of inflation
Published: 02-06-2022 | 16:13:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Vancouver cleantech startup VoltSafe has introduced a new electrical technology to reduce inflation effects in marine, automotive and housing industries.


Upcycling startup Novoloop extends Series A round to $21m to develop industrial capabilities
Published: 02-06-2022 | 15:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Advanced upcycling startup Novoloop nnounced it has expanded its Series A to $21 million through an oversubscribed extension led by Mistletoe Singapore and Hanwha Solutions.


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.


CE-Creates merges with hatch & boost in MENA's first venture-builder merger for startups
Published: 11-05-2022 | 11:25:37 | By: Pie Kamau
CE-Creates, the business incubation platform of Crescent Enterprises, has completed the merger of its portfolio of startups with hatch & boost, an Abu Dhabi-based venture-builder dedicated to ‘hatching’ startup ideas.


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.


Vietnam-based sustainability startup EQUO raises $1.3m for eco-friendly options
Published: 20-04-2022 | 14:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Vietnam-based sustainability company, EQUO, has raised $1.3 million in seed funding. Leading the seed round is NextGen Ventures with participation from Techstars and East 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.


Ecosystem restoration startup Lord of the Trees raises $1.25m pre-seed round to upscale environmental protection
Published: 31-03-2022 | 11:53:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Lord of the Trees, a full ecosystem restoration company that uses precision drone planting technology to restore degraded landscapes, announced a $1.25 million pre-seed funding round.


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.


Climate tech startup Cambium Carbon raises $3m seed funding to reinvent the wood supply chain, reduce carbon emissions
Published: 16-03-2022 | 11:48:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cambium Carbon PBC announced a $3.2 million seed round investment led by MaC Venture Capital, supported by Soma Capital, Joe Tsai, Revolution's Rise of the Rest Seed Fund, Blue Ivy Ventures and others.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


FirstEnergy invests $2.5m venture capital fund in Energy Impact Partners' to advance sustainable energy future
Published: 02-02-2022 | 13:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
To help advance a sustainable energy future, FirstEnergy Corp. announced a $2.5 million investment in global venture capital firm Energy Impact Partners' (EIP) Frontier Fund.


Australian climate tech startup UPowr launches Helios to help companies decarbonise customer base, increase LTV
Published: 02-02-2022 | 12:27:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Australian climate tech company UPowr, launched its flagship climate software solution Helios in beta mode to select partners.


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.


Climatetech startup Greentown Labs appoints Kevin Taylor as new CFO
Published: 26-01-2022 | 11:35:21 | By: Pie Kamau
Greentown Labs, the largest climatetech startup incubator in North America, announced Kevin Taylor as Chief Financial Officer (CFO).


UK's carbon offset ratings startup Sylvera raises $32m funding to become source of truth in carbon markets
Published: 25-01-2022 | 15:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Carbon offset ratings provider, Sylvera, announced it has raised $32.6 million in Series A funding to accelerate its mission to become a source of truth for carbon markets.


[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.


Berlin-based clean energy startup Ostrom raises €4.4m to make transition to green energy convenient and affordable
Published: 12-01-2022 | 13:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Berlin-based clean energy startup Ostrom has raised a total of €4.4 million in pre-seed and seed funding to further its goal of making the switch to green energy as easy and affordable as possible.


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.


TDK Ventures backs innovative nanomaterials coating technology startup, actnano
Published: 01-12-2021 | 14:23:00 | By: Pie Kamau
TDK Ventures has invested in the Series B financing of actnano, a nanomaterials technology company that is setting new standards for electronics protection with its water and environmental-resistant smart coating solutions.


French high-tech startup PlanetWatch selects city of Miami to deploy air quality monitoring network
Published: 30-11-2021 | 12:26:00 | By: Pie Kamau
PlanetWatch, the world's first decentralized indoor and outdoor air quality monitoring network built on the Algorand blockchain, has selected the city of Miami to deploy a network of its sensors citywide.


Bio-material tech startup Cruz Foam closes $2.5m seed funding to accelerate circular protective packaging solutions
Published: 25-11-2021 | 11:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cruz Foam, a mission-driven sustainable materials company, announced it has closed $2.5 million in seed funding in a raise led by At One Ventures to enable the transition toward a circular economy.


Miami-based VC firm Borderless Capital closes $10m PLANETS.Fund to build green data economy on Algorand
Published: 24-11-2021 | 08:00:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Borderless Capital, the Miami-based venture capital firm dedicated to the Algorand ecosystem, announced the closing of PLANETS.Fund, a $10 millionn fund focused on building a green data economy.


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.


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.


Estonian-based fintech startup Fairown secures €4.2 Million funding to invest in waste reduction
Published: 09-11-2021 | 17:12:17 | By: Bob Koigi
Estonian-based fintech company Fairown will fuel international growth and empower more brands to shift from a linear to a circular economy.


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.


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.


Canadian energy startup Pani secures $8m to scale up AI solution to improve water and energy efficiency in water treatment facilities
Published: 15-10-2021 | 12:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Pani, a Canadian software-as-a-service (SaaS) company, announced the completion of an oversubscribed $8 million CAD capital raise.


Israeli startup RepAir Carbon closes $1.5m seed round to develop cell for modular Direct Air Capture
Published: 08-10-2021 | 13:37:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Israeli startup RepAir Carbon closed a $1.5m seed round to develop cell for modular Direct Air Capture inspired by fuel cell technology. The seed funding will allow the RepAir team to refine the company's existing prototype cell.


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.


Madagascar Time startup launches charity cryptocurrency $TIME to fight climate change
Published: 10-09-2021 | 13:56:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Madagascar Time startup has launched $TIME, the new cryptocurrency focused on charity work around the globe. Backed by an international team, $TIME combines unprecedented technology in the crypto space with social entrepreneurialism.


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.


Recreational vehicle startup RINDEV announces preorder reservations of its experience driven electric side by side
Published: 31-08-2021 | 14:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Recreational vehicle disruptor, RINDEV, announced the opening of preorder reservations for their exciting and futuristic electric side by side, designed to address issues of global warming and overall experience.


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.


[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.


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.


IFC’s TechEmerge partners with logistics startup Kobo360 to pilot sustainable cooling innovations in Nigeria
Published: 08-07-2021 | 11:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Eleven global innovators have been selected to partner with 15 leading Nigerian companies to pilot cost-effective, climate-smart technologies to strengthen the country's temperature-controlled logistics supply chain.


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.


Toyota AI Ventures rebrands as Toyota Ventures, adds $300m to invest in emerging technologies and carbon neutrality
Published: 07-06-2021 | 14:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Toyota's first standalone, early-stage venture capital firm, Toyota AI Ventures, will change its name to Toyota Ventures and grow its total assets under management to more than $500 million with the addition of two $150 million early-stage funds.


Blockchain startup Candela Coin develops solar powered eco-friendly cryptocurrency mining protocol
Published: 07-06-2021 | 14:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Candela Coin, a cryptocurrency that allows holders to take part in the first ever decentralized blockchain based peer-to-peer transactive solar energy system, has developed a solar powered eco-friendly cryptocurrency mining protocol.


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.


Predictive analytics startup Gridware raises $5.3m seed round to curb catastrophic wildfires
Published: 25-05-2021 | 15:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Predictive analytics startup Gridware announced a $5.3 million seed round investment co-led by Fifty Years and True Ventures, with participation from Y-Combinator.


Techstars joins Cleantech.org $100,000 GS Beyond Energy Innovation Challenge
Published: 24-05-2021 | 14:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cleantech.org and Techstars announced that Techstars is joining the Cleantech.org GS Beyond Energy Innovation Challenge as an Accelerator Partner.


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.


Robotics startup ViaBot announces public launch with $6.1m in funding
Published: 11-05-2021 | 11:11:00 | By: Pie Kamau
ViaBot, a robotics startup bringing maintenance and management automation to large properties, announced its public launch with $6.1 million in funding.


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.


Bechtel partners with climatetech startup incubator Greentown Labs to drive energy transition in Houston
Published: 26-04-2021 | 13:30:43 | By: Pie Kamau
Bechtel announced partnership with Greentown Labs in Houston, the city's first-ever climatetech startup incubator, to drive energy transition in Houston.


UK-based startup Cquestr8 raises $300k seed capital to develop safe & permanent carbon sequestration solution
Published: 22-04-2021 | 13:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cquestr8, 2020 winners of the Climate-KIC's ClimateLaunchpad "Next Big Thing" prize, has secured funding to develop their unique carbon sequestration solution, leveraging natural processes to safely lock away CO2 as stable ocean bicarbonate.


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.


Climatetech startup Persefoni raises $9.7m in Series A funding round
Published: 16-04-2021 | 09:35:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Persefoni, an intelligent carbon accounting and management platform for enterprises and investors, announced it has raised $9.7 million in its Series A financing round. Rice Investment Group led the round, with participation from NGP ETP and Sallyport Investments.


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.


Finnish biotech startup Carbo Culture sets to remove 1billion tons of carbon from atmosphere by 2030
Published: 15-04-2021 | 09:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Carbo Culture, a biotech startup commercialising large-scale carbon removal, has a north star vision to remove 1 billion tons (1Gt) of carbon from the atmosphere by 2030.


Energy Transition Ventures launches first venture capital fund in Texas dedicated to energy transition
Published: 13-04-2021 | 14:21:14 | By: Pie Kamau
Energy Transition Ventures (ETV) has launched as the first venture fund in Texas exclusively dedicated to investing in energy transition technologies.


dClimate raises $3.5m seed round to create first decentralized network for climate data
Published: 09-04-2021 | 09:24:00 | By: Pie Kamau
dClimate, the first decentralized network for climate data, announced the closing of an oversubscribed $3.5 Million seed financing round led by CoinFund, with participation from Multicoin Capital and Republic Labs.


Berlin-based startup betteries secures €2.1m seed funding to upcycle electric vehicle batteries, avert climate change
Published: 30-03-2021 | 11:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Berlin-based profit for impact startup betteries has successfully closed its €2.1 million seed funding round led by impact funds Factor[e] Ventures and Beyond Black.


Dryad secures €1.6m funding to accelerate development of wildfire detection solution
Published: 12-03-2021 | 16:24:14 | By: Bob Koigi
Dryad is developing Silvanet to help public and private forest owners monitor, analyze and protect the world's largest, most remote forests and tackle the devastating impact of wildfires on the environment.


Korean startup Real Water's unique solution to keep microplastics at bay
Published: 09-03-2021 | 13:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Korean startup Real Water has come up with a unique solution to filter out microplastics from bottled water to reduce synthetic polymer contamination, a major health concern bothering experts since 2019 when it was first researched.


Sustainable lawn care startup Sunday enters mass retail market
Published: 03-03-2021 | 08:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Eco-friendly startup Sunday announced that its innovative line of lawn, pest, and yard care products will now be available for purchase at Walmart stores throughout the country.


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.


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.


EUNIKE Ventures partners with Foresight to accelerate growth of cleantech ventures in Canada
Published: 16-02-2021 | 10:25:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Foresight Cleantech Accelerator Centre (Foresight) and Eunike Ventures (Eunike) announced a collaborative partnership to further accelerate the growth of Canadian companies with promising cleantech solutions for the energy industry.


Kenyan organics recycling startup Sanergy receives funding to scale operations regionally
Published: 02-02-2021 | 14:18:17 | By: Bob Koigi
With AXA IM Alts’s support, Sanergy would be well-positioned to scale its operations in Kenya and across the region.


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.


One Planet Fellowship: Investing in the next generation of African scientists
Published: 29-01-2021 | 12:30:00 | By: Bob Koigi
African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) has announced that the call for third cohort of the One Planet Fellowship is now open as it seeks to invest in the next generation of African scientists.


Agritech startup Bear Flag Robotics raises $7.9m seed extension round
Published: 25-01-2021 | 14:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Bear Flag Robotics announced a $7.9 million seed extension funding round led by True Ventures. The Silicon Valley-based agritech company is developing autonomous technology for farm tractors, which enables growers to increase productivity.


Taiwanese startup VitalSigns debuts at CES 2021 with air quality monitoring IoT device
Published: 21-01-2021 | 11:03:31 | By: Pie Kamau
Following its previous successes in bio-signal monitors and connective health, VitalSigns Technology shifted gears and entered the IoT industry with its outstanding biosensor and physiological monitoring development capabilities.


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.


Autonomous sweeper from Berlin startup approved for public road use in Singapore
Published: 15-01-2021 | 11:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The autonomous compact sweeper "Donner", developed by a consortium led by ENWAY and Bucher Municipal, has passed the Land Transport Authority's approval test for autonomous vehicles for use on public roads.


[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.


UK next generation plastic start-up Xampla accelerates growth with £6 million seed investment
Published: 11-01-2021 | 14:36:00 | By: Bob Koigi
University of Cambridge spin-out Xampla has announced it has closed a £6.2m seed finance round, led by the backers of Zoom, to accelerate the roll-out of its next generation plastic replacement.


BrandBase launches Jungle Cup; first plastic-free, home compostable disposable cup
Published: 06-01-2021 | 07:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Jungle Cup is the world’s first plastic-free disposable coffee cup that biodegrades in 12 weeks without industrial processing, introduced by BrandBase.


[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.


US startup Topl builds blockchain for Environmental, Social and Governance Global initiatives
Published: 22-12-2020 | 13:40:33 | By: Bob Koigi
Topl, the blockchain ecosystem built to prove a company’s ethical and sustainable practices, has announced the closing of $3 million in seed funding led by Mercury Fund.


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.


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.


Plant-based activewear startup TVAAG launches on Kickstarter
Published: 02-12-2020 | 15:03:49 | By: Pie Kamau
Plant-based activewear startup TVAAG announced its launch on on Kickstarter. Founded in P.E.I in 2020, TVAAG uses a combination of Indian traditional textile manufacturing principles and modern fabric technology in sustainable fashion.


UK Government selects London startup Kooling to receive sustainable innovation fund
Published: 26-11-2020 | 13:43:58 | By: Bob Koigi
Innovate UK, the UK's innovation agency has awarded London based startup Kooling a share of its £191 million Sustainable Innovation Fund.


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.


Techstars launches sustainability challenge
Published: 18-11-2020 | 13:02:25 | By: Bob Koigi
Techstars, the worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed, has announced it is accepting entries for the Techstars Sustainability Challenge from anyone with ideas for how to reduce the significant toll global supply chains have on the environment.


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.


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.


Former Bitcoin.com CEO launches Sonic Capital, Asia's first tokenized venture investment fund
Published: 10-11-2020 | 12:19:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Former Bitcoin.com CEO Stefan Rust announced the launch of Sonic Capital, Asia's first venture capital and impact investment fund to be tokenized on the blockchain.


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.


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.


AI startup ATLAN Space raises $1m Series A funding from Maroc Numeric Fund II for expansion
Published: 04-11-2020 | 09:27:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Aerial vehicle Artificial Intelligence startup ATLAN Space has raised $1m Series A funding from Maroc Numeric Fund II with participation from Hilmi Law Firm and Cadex Group, for business expansion.


Cleantech startup Skeleton Technologies joins European Clean Hydrogen Alliance
Published: 03-11-2020 | 11:57:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Estonian cleantech startup Skeleton Technologies has joined the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance, an initiative of European stakeholders who want to engage and contribute to the deployment of renewable and low-carbon hydrogen.


Estonian cleantech startup Skeleton Technologies raises €41.3m from European entrepreneurs
Published: 03-11-2020 | 11:24:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Skeleton Technologies, global cleantech 100 company and largest European manufacturer of ultracapacitor-based energy storage, has completed a €41.3 million financing round.


SeaAhead, New England Aquarium announce BlueSwell incubator's first cohort of selected startups
Published: 29-10-2020 | 14:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
SeaAhead, Inc. and the New England Aquarium have selected the first cohort of six startups for the BlueSwell Incubator Program, New England's first dedicated, early-stage bluetech incubator.


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.


Dutch tech startup Avy completes successful test flight with first solar fixed-wing drone
Published: 23-10-2020 | 11:46:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Dutch solar drone manufacturer Avy announced a successful test flight of its first solar fixed-wing drone, equipped with custom solar foil developed by Wattlab to reflect and absorb more sunlight.


Norwegian Katapult Ocean invests in cleantech startup ecoSPEARS for access to clean water, food, and air
Published: 14-10-2020 | 14:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Norwegian Group Katapult Ocean has invested in ecoSPEARS, a cleantech startup that uses patented NASA environmental technologies to clean toxins from sediments, soil and groundwater, to enhance access to clean water, clean food, and clean air.


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.


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.


Polish cleantech startup Airly raises $2m for global air quality platform
Published: 05-10-2020 | 11:20:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Polish cleantech startup Airly announced a $2 million pre-seed round to scale its AI-powered air quality platform globally, led by Giant Ventures, the multi-stage fund backing purpose-driven technology companies.


S2G Ventures, CDPQ announce funding for startups in sustainable food business
Published: 30-09-2020 | 15:55:00 | By: Bob Koigi
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) and S2G Ventures (S2G) have announced creation of a co-investment partnership that will target ventures that aim to make the food and agriculture industry more sustainable.


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.


Finish startup ICEYE raises $87m to accelerate growth of its SAR satellite constellation
Published: 22-09-2020 | 14:28:00 | By: Pie Kamau
ICEYE, a SAR data provider, announced the closing of a larger than planned $87 million Series C funding, led by return investor True Ventures, with a significant additional investment by OTB Ventures.


[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.


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.


West Africa's Miro Forestry raises $48 funding close led by CDC to combat climate crisis
Published: 02-09-2020 | 15:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
CDC Group, the UK’s publicly owned impact investor announced a further $12 million commitment to Miro Forestry, a sustainable forestry and timber business with plantations in Ghana and Sierra Leone.


Tech startup MITO Material Solutions announces oversubscribed $1m Series Seed funding round
Published: 31-08-2020 | 15:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
MITO Material Solutions, a cutting edge developer of additives that enable polymer manufacturers to enhance product performance, announced an oversubscribed $1 million Series Seed funding round.


Irish agtech startup MagGrow raises €6m Series A round
Published: 17-08-2020 | 14:37:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Irish startup MagGrow, the agtech innovator that specialises in delivering crop protection products where they matter most while protecting the environment, has completed a €6m Series A round.


[Startup Interview] Kaxton Kabogoza, Founder, Kenda Interlocking Bricks, Kenya
Published: 08-08-2020 | 09:43:09 | By: Bob Koigi
Kenda Interlocking Bricks is a Kenya start up in the manufacturing sector that is championing the use of eco-friendly and affordable construction materials as it seeks to bridge the housing deficit in Kenya and the East African region. Engineer Kaxton Kabogoza the founder explains.


British startup Planet Smart City partners with UN-Habitat on slum upgrading initiatives in Kenya
Published: 03-08-2020 | 15:56:00 | By: Pie Kamau
British startup Planet Smart City has joined forces with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat to provide digital tools, community management and social innovation to help improve lives in informal settlements in Kenya.


Swiss cleantech stratup Insolight closes Series A financing with €4.6 million
Published: 30-07-2020 | 16:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Swiss cleantech stratup Insolight announced that a Series A Round of €4.6 million has successfully been closed led by Investiere, with co-investors Zürcher Kantonalbank, Swiss Immo Lab and a number of private business angels.


Kenyan agritech startup Lentera, MCFI ink deal to provide satellite based crop analysis for Mauritian farmers
Published: 29-07-2020 | 11:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Mauritius Chemical and Fertilizer Industry (MCFI), and Lentera Africa have signed a partnership that will see Lentera provide satellite-based crop health analysis and crop modelling services for Mauritian customers of MCFI.


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.


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.


Exelon names first round startups of the $20 million climate change investment initiative
Published: 16-07-2020 | 15:06:10 | By: Bob Koigi
The Exelon Foundation and Exelon Corporation have selected 10 startups to receive a combined $1 million in direct funding to develop new technologies to mitigate the impacts of climate change.


IFC helps boost clean tech startups in Egypt, enables farmers switch to solar
Published: 15-07-2020 | 12:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
IFC is joining forces with the National Bank of Egypt and MSMEDA to strengthen the clean technology entrepreneurship sector and boost Egyptian farmers’ access to finance for solar irrigation.


[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.


Belgium startup e-peas raises further €8 million in VC for long term growth
Published: 03-07-2020 | 11:07:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Award-winning Belgium start-up e-peas has raised an additional €8 million worth of investment led by Partech and Airbus Ventures, with KBC Focus Fund, W.IN.G, Noshaq Ventures, LeanSquare, Nivelinvest and Vives also contributing.


[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.


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.


Forestry startup Timbeter collaborates with Costa Rica government to support digitization of forest management
Published: 04-06-2020 | 09:14:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Estonian forestry startup Timbeter and the government of Costa Rica kicked-off a project with the goal to support the digitization of forest management, and increase competitiveness of the local forestry sector.


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.


UK startup Greyparrot raises €2 million in seed funding round to revolutionise recycling with waste recognition software
Published: 27-05-2020 | 14:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
AI tech startup Greyparrot has raised €2 million to tackle the growing waste crisis by introducing digitisation and automation to recycling.


Mitsui Chemicals, UNEP support Asian startups helping reduce plastic waste
Published: 22-05-2020 | 08:54:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Mitsui Chemicals announced that it has selected three innovative Asian startups to receive support under the Asia–Pacific Low-Carbon Lifestyles Challenge (APLCLC), a program run by the United Nations Environment Programme.


[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.


[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