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Published: 06-04-2018 16:44:00 | By: Nico Scherphuis | hits: 3750877 | 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.


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.


[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] 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.


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.


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.


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.


Web3 digital identity startup Unstoppable Domains raises $65m Series A funding at $1b valuation
Published: 28-07-2022 | 11:48:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Unstoppable Domains, the platform for Web3 digital identity with more than 2.5 million registered NFT domains, announced it has closed $65 million in Series A funding at a $1 billion valuation.


London-based startup Geomiq raises $8.5m to digitize manufacturing and deliver industry leading service levels
Published: 28-07-2022 | 11:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
London-based startup Geomiq announced it has raised $8.5 million funding to digitize global manufacturing and deliver industry leading service levels for Engineers and Procurement teams.


Web3 startup Book Token launches eBooks on Chain, sells $100K worth of eBooks
Published: 28-07-2022 | 11:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Dallas-based startup, Book Token (Booktoken.io), has brought books to the blockchain with the launch of its first eBook, the Gutenberg Bible - in recognition of the printing press technology created by Johannes Gutenberg.


Olympus Innovation Ventures backs endoscopy video and AI startup Virgo
Published: 28-07-2022 | 10:50:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Olympus announced that the company's venture capital fund, Olympus Innovation Ventures, completed its first investment, participating in the Series A financing of Virgo Surgical Video Solutions (Virgo) of Carlsbad, California.


Globant's Be Kind Tech Fund invests in ping voice technology platform to help get drivers home safely
Published: 28-07-2022 | 10:31:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Globant, a digitally native company focused on reinventing businesses through innovative technology solutions, announced that its Be Kind Tech Fund has invested in ping, a U.S.-based voice platform company.


Cryptocurrency startup Coinfeeds raises $2m seed round, launches Web3 community monitoring app
Published: 28-07-2022 | 10:20:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Coinfeeds announced that it has raised a $2 million seed round led by FTX Ventures, Coinbase Ventures, Protocol Labs (IPFS / Filecoin), Huobi Ventures, and startup accelerator Y Combinator.


Immigrants have started more than half of America's billion-dollar startup companies, study
Published: 27-07-2022 | 16:37:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Immigrants have started more than half (319 of 582, or 55%) of America's startup companies valued at $1 billion or more, according to a new study from the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP), a nonpartisan research organization.


Mymee acquires Berlin-based healthtech startup Breakthrough Health to scale growth
Published: 27-07-2022 | 16:16:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Mymee, the provider of specialized care and support for people with significant symptoms associated with autoimmune disease and long COVID, has acquired Berlin-based Breakthrough Health, the creator of the #1 mobile app Emilyn for people with multiple sclerosis (MS).


Fintech startup CoinFlip raises $1m initiative to support emerging Web 3.0 startups
Published: 27-07-2022 | 15:57:00 | By: Pie Kamau
CoinFlip, a fintech company powered by cryptocurrency, announced the launch of CoinFlip Ventures, a new initiative that will support Web 3.0 based startup companies.


Fifth Wall raises $500m climate fund to decarbonize global real estate
Published: 27-07-2022 | 15:43:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Fifth Wall, a venture capital firm focused on technology for the global real estate industry, has held the final close of its inaugural Climate Fund with $500 million in capital commitments.


Madrid-based Seedtag raises over €250m to scale its Contextual AI technology
Published: 27-07-2022 | 15:31:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Seedtag, the leader in contextual advertising in EMEA and LATAM, announced it has raised over €250 million in funding from private equity investor Advent International.


UKI2S expands fund by £37m to accelerate British innovation
Published: 26-07-2022 | 11:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The UK Innovation and Science Seed Fund (UKI2S), announced the expansion of its patient capital fund by £37 million, to boost support of British innovation.


Data security startup Sotero closes $8m seed extension funding round to accelerate growth
Published: 26-07-2022 | 11:21:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Sotero, the leader in revolutionary data security, announced a $8 million extension of their seed round, bringing the round to a total of $13 million.


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.


Omaha-based startup Workshop raises $5m to streamline internal email and communications
Published: 26-07-2022 | 10:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Workshop, a delightful platform for distributing and measuring internal email and communications, has raised $5.2 million in additional seed funding. The round was led by McCarthy Capital out of their Emerging Growth strategy.


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.


Singapore-based music startup SpiderVille raises $1m pre-seed funding to accelerate Web3 music adoption
Published: 26-07-2022 | 10:17:00 | By: Pie Kamau
SpiderVille, a Singapore-based Web3 music startup, announced it has raised a $1 million pre-seed round from Contents Technologies, Samsung Next, and other notable angel investors.


ComplyCube partners with Capital Pilot to back high-growth startups in the UK
Published: 25-07-2022 | 14:14:00 | By: Pie Kamau
ComplyCube, the global verification platform, has partnered with Capital Pilot, the Startup Rating Agency, to provide state-of-the-art KYC verification for Boost Fund I, the UK's first automated high-volume startup investment fund.


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.


Boeing, AE Industrial Partners launch second venture fund to invest in innovative aerospace and defense startups
Published: 25-07-2022 | 13:19:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Boeing has committed a $50 million investment in AEI HorizonX, a partnership the company established with private equity firm AE Industrial Partners to invest in transformative aerospace technologies.


Agritech startup Lumo raises $2.1m to tackle the global water insecurity crisis
Published: 25-07-2022 | 13:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Lumo, a new agritech company focused on water sustainability, announced it has raised $2.1 million in pre-seed funding and plans to allocate funds toward commercialization of its irrigation technology.


Sudanese fintech startup Bloom nabs $6.5m backed by Y Combinator, GFC and Visa
Published: 25-07-2022 | 12:48:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Bloom, a Sudan-based fintech that offers a high-yield savings account and adjacent digital banking services, announced it has raised a $6.5 million seed round, after an undisclosed pre-seed round last year.


Surgical Intelligence startup Theator extends Series A funding with additional $24m for a total of $39.5m
Published: 25-07-2022 | 12:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Theator, the creator of Surgical Intelligence, announced it has raised $24 million in an extension of its Series A funding round.


Cyber security startup Anvilogic raises $25m Series B funding to modernize security operations
Published: 22-07-2022 | 10:56:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Anvilogic, a modern security operations platform that brings a cloud-based security data lake to life, announced the company's $25 million Series B funding.


TaskHuman startup raises $20m Series B funding to expand its virtual coaching platform
Published: 22-07-2022 | 10:46:00 | By: Pie Kamau
TaskHuman, the 1:1 digital coaching platform, has raised $20 million in Series B funding to amplify human well-being and productivity in a digital world.


InterApp startup raises $1.2m to bring mass adoption of AR as a necessary consumer utility tool
Published: 22-07-2022 | 10:28:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Sacramento, CA based startup InterApp announced it has raised $1.2 million in pre-seed funding, to double down on early marketing efforts and acquire 10% of the Total Addressable Market (TAM) within 12 months.


Irish digital identity startup valid8Me secures €12.5m investment to increase headcount, accelerate growth
Published: 22-07-2022 | 10:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
valid8Me, the digital identity SAAS platform, announced that Grant Thornton Ireland are investing €12.5million in the company.


AfricInvest and Cathay Innovation complete final close of €110m Pan-African venture fund
Published: 22-07-2022 | 09:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Africa’s multi-asset investment platform AfricInvest and global venture capital firm Cathay Innovation, have completed the final close of their joint Pan-African venture fund, Cathay AfricInvest Innovation Fund (CAIF), at €110 million.


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.


Yamaha partners with Nigerian startup MAX for vehicle financing and maintenance
Published: 22-07-2022 | 09:34:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Moto Business Service Nigeria (MBSN), a subsidiary of Japan’s Yamaha Motor Corporation, announced a strategic partnership with Metro Africa Xpress (MAX), to finance and maintain over 50,000 vehicles over the next 2 years.


African accelerator for European scaleups Chapter54 now in full swing
Published: 20-07-2022 | 10:49:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Chapter54, the first accelerator dedicated to European scaleups wishing to expand into African markets, launched in January 2022 by Partech, has started to support its first batch of European scaleups.


Pan-African talent marketplace Gebeya announces new innovation to accelerate hiring freelance professionals
Published: 20-07-2022 | 10:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Gebeya, the Pan-African marketplace for freelance professional talent, announced a new innovation to accelerate a more stable, dynamic African tech talent infrastructure.


French insurtech startup Orus raises €5m to reinvent professional insurance for SMEs
Published: 20-07-2022 | 10:29:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Orus, the insurtech company for small businesses, announced it has raised €5 million from Frst, Partech, Portage Ventures and around twenty business angels.


HiddenLayer startup emerges from stealth mode, raises $6m seed funding to protect AI-powered products
Published: 20-07-2022 | 10:06:00 | By: Pie Kamau
HiddenLayer startup announced it has emerged from stealth mode to launch its flagship product, after raising $6 million in seed funding led by Ten Eleven Ventures.


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.


Social impact fintech DreamStart Labs partners with BRAC Bank to reach unbanked women in Bangladesh
Published: 20-07-2022 | 09:25:00 | By: Pie Kamau
DreamStart Labs, a fintech for emerging markets, and BRAC Bank, a commercial bank in Bangladesh, have entered into an agreement to provide digital financial services to unbanked women in Bangladesh.


Novelis partners with recycling startup Sortera Alloys to recycle automotive post-production and consumer scrap
Published: 19-07-2022 | 15:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Novelis, a sustainable aluminum solutions provider and the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, announced a strategic partnership with Sortera Alloys, an industrial scrap metal sorting and recycling company.


Virginia-based fashion tech startup Circ raises $30m funding to expand recycle clothing, eliminate waste
Published: 19-07-2022 | 14:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The circular fashion company Circ announced over $30 million in Series B funding backed by some of the largest international apparel companies and venture capital firms.


Japanese open-source autonomous driving startup TIER IV launches $300m green autonomous driving project
Published: 19-07-2022 | 13:51:00 | By: Pie Kamau
TIER IV, an open-source autonomous driving startup, announced it has received a grant from the Green Innovation Fund Projects (GI Fund) for research and development of autonomous driving software platforms.


Oslo-based DevOps startup Kosli set to launch free tier for developers
Published: 19-07-2022 | 13:41:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Oslo-based software startup Kosli announced it will launch a free tier of its SaaS later this summer. Founded in 2019 as a compliance automation platform for regulated DevOps teams in sectors like fintech, Kosli will now offer a much broader set of use cases for developers in all industries.


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.


DivInc Houston launches inaugural Women in Tech Accelerator with title sponsor SheSpace
Published: 18-07-2022 | 12:32:00 | By: Pie Kamau
DivInc, the premier startup accelerator for people of color and women entrepreneurs, announced the launch of its first Women in Tech Accelerator made possible through Houston title sponsor, SheSpace.


917Ventures partners with AC Ventures to explore business opportunities, grow ecosystem in Philippines
Published: 18-07-2022 | 12:03:00 | By: Pie Kamau
917Ventures has partnered with AC Ventures, a subsidiary of Filipino conglomerate Ayala, to explore business opportunities and grow its ecosystem.


Canvas Medical achieves ONC certification, raises $24m to power clinicians and developers scaling digital health companies
Published: 18-07-2022 | 11:48:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Canvas Medical, the EMR that enables clinicians and developers to power the future of care delivery, raised $24 million in Series B funding led by M13 with participation from Haystack.


Insight Partners announces Enterprise Technology Exchange to drive unparalleled innovation within the enterprise software sector
Published: 18-07-2022 | 11:34:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Global software investor Insight Partners announced the establishment of its Enterprise Technology Exchange, a council of preeminent technology leaders in Europe and North America.


Stori becomes Mexico's newest Unicorn after raising $150m round of financing, valuing the startup at $1.2b
Published: 18-07-2022 | 11:10:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Stori, a fintech company offering credit card products to Mexico's underserved population, announced a $150 million round of financing, valuing the company at $1.2 billion, achieving a "Unicorn" status.


Why you should implement cryptocurrency payments into your e-Commerce website, Remuno
Published: 18-07-2022 | 10:53:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Crypto is one of the biggest aspects of modern finance and technology. For businesses, this revenue stream could provide major boosts to sales numbers, with crypto payments giving customers more freedom while also bringing benefits.


The African Business Roundtable Project Preparation Masterclass Free Webinar, July 27
Published: 15-07-2022 | 13:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
After discussions with a variety of advisory and investment institutions, and to further attract investment to projects, the African Business Roundtable Secretariat in association with Afreximbank has designed the “Project Preparation Masterclass”.


Lithuanian startup Elinta Charge raises €7m to accelerate EV charging solutions
Published: 15-07-2022 | 13:34:00 | By: Pie Kamau
AVIA Capital and LitCapital have invested €7 million in Elinta Charge, a Lithuanian developer and manufacturer of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions, to support R&D, development of new products and further international expansion in the fast-growing e-mobility market.


London-based soccer game startup CLUB closes $3.1m seed round for the first F2P and Play-and-Earn soccer ownership game
Published: 15-07-2022 | 13:11:00 | By: Pie Kamau
CLUB, the independent studio behind CLUB Game, the first free-to-play (F2P), play-and-earn soccer game that allows you to create and sell your own real-player soccer club, has secured its first major round of funding.


Flagstar Bank completes third MortgageTech Accelerator program
Published: 15-07-2022 | 12:44:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Flagstar Bank announced it has wrapped up its third MortgageTech Accelerator program - the first and only accelerator in the United States solely dedicated to mortgage technology.


YC-backed startup Bobidi raises $5.8m to build global bug bounty platform for AI models
Published: 15-07-2022 | 12:26:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Bobidi, an AI model test platform, announced it has raised $5.8 million in seed funding from Y Combinator, We Ventures, Hyundai Motors Group ZER01NE, Scrum Ventures, NPE, Meta, Lotte Ventures, Atlas Pac Capital, and angel investors.


Michigan-based edtech startup Alchemie earns $1m grant for accessible learning for STEM
Published: 15-07-2022 | 12:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Alchemie, an educational technology company based in Troy, Michigan, announced it has received a prestigious one-million-dollar Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grant from the Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences.


Mixed bag for U.S. startup ecosystem as market outlook remains uncertain - PitchBook, NVCA report
Published: 15-07-2022 | 12:02:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Despite an uncertain macroeconomic environment, US venture capital (VC) deal activity in the first half of 2022 was strong, according to the Q2 2022 PitchBook-NVCA Venture Monitor.


Israeli tech startup AI21 Labs raises $64m to change the way people read and write using artificial intelligence
Published: 13-07-2022 | 16:42:00 | By: Pie Kamau
AI21 Labs, an Israeli startup aiming to fundamentally change the way people read and write, announced the completion of its $64 million series B funding round, bringing the company's valuation to $664 million.


Microlearning startup Arist raises $12m to reimagine workplace learning for a new generation
Published: 13-07-2022 | 16:28:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Arist announced that it has raised $12 million in a Series A funding round led by pioneering growth-stage business software investor PeakSpan Capital, accompanied by Rainfall Ventures.


Austin-based startup Sumatra raises $1.5m seed round to launch real-time data platform
Published: 13-07-2022 | 16:18:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Sumatra, an Austin-based real-time data platform company, announced that it has secured $1.5 million in seed financing led by S3 Ventures with participation from Sentiero Ventures, Data Power Ventures, and AI Sprouts.


Ukrainian and Dutch-based startup Cloudprinter.com raises €7m seed funding to grow its global print API platform
Published: 13-07-2022 | 16:05:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Cloudprinter.com, the Ukrainian and Dutch-based global print API platform raised €7 missed in a seed round led by Capital Mills.


Online energy marketplace VECKTA closes $3.3m seed round to accelerate growth
Published: 12-07-2022 | 16:25:00 | By: Pie Kamau
VECKTA, the online energy marketplace that connects commercial and industrial energy users with capital, services, and equipment suppliers, announced it has closed a $3.3 million institutional seed round.


Magic Eden launches Magic Ventures to focus on Web3 gaming investments
Published: 12-07-2022 | 16:11:11 | By: Pie Kamau
Magic Eden, the destination for NFTs, announced the launch of Magic Ventures, a venture arm that will focus on investing in Web3 games.


Healthtech startup Arise raises over $4m to build inclusive eating disorder treatment and mental health support
Published: 12-07-2022 | 15:58:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Arise, the digital healthcare company enabling comprehensive care for eating disorders, mental health, and long-term healing, has launched after raising over $4 million in a seed funding round.


Carbon to Value Initiative announces year two startup cohort for carbontech accelerator program
Published: 12-07-2022 | 15:40:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Carbon to Value Initiative (C2V Initiative), has selected eight startups for the second year of its carbontech accelerator program in partnership with Fluor Corporation, the initiative's Year Two Cohort Champion.


Canadian biotech startup Spiderwort secures $13.2m financing to accelerate clinical trials of biomaterials
Published: 12-07-2022 | 15:19:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Spiderwort, the biotech company innovating in cellulose-based tissue scaffolding to treat acute spinal cord injuries, announced the successful completion of its $13.2 million Series A financing.


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.


[Column] Patrick Ndegwa: Is 2022 the year for African startups?
Published: 11-07-2022 | 15:13:24 | By: Pie Kamau
Africa is the place to be if you want to discover and support new ideas. According to a Substack newsletter titled Africa: The Big Deal, the continent was the recipient of startup deals worth a combined $4.27 billion


Qiming Venture Partners closes $3.2b funds to back early and growth stage tech startups in China
Published: 11-07-2022 | 10:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
China based venture capital firm Qiming Venture Partners announced the closing of $3.2 billion, including USD Fund VIII at $2.5 billion and the first closing of RMB Fund VII at $700 million.


Nigerian fintech startup CARMACHAIN hits over 80 million consumer profiles
Published: 11-07-2022 | 10:17:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Nigerian fintech startup CARMACHAIN announced it has hit over 80 million consumer profiles. This milestone is a major move for CARMACHAIN as it takes another step forward in realising its mission of decentralising data.


Quantitative investment firm Hidden Road raises $50m to accelerate access to traditional and digital markets
Published: 11-07-2022 | 10:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Hidden Road, the global credit network for institutional investors, announced the closing of $50 million Series A funding, led by Castle Island Ventures,


Automotive B2B marketplace APFusion raises $6.5m in series seed financing to expand its platform
Published: 11-07-2022 | 09:57:00 | By: Pie Kamau
APFusion, the automotive B2B marketplace and SaaS company focused on modernizing the auto salvage industry, secured $6.5 million in series seed financing bringing the company's total financing to $7 million.


Blockchain security startup BlockSec closes $8m funding round to accelerate growth
Published: 11-07-2022 | 09:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Blockchain security startup BlockSec announced the completion of $8 million seed plus round of funding, to expand its research and production team and provide the on-chain monitoring and attack interception capability.


Kenyan healthtech startup AfyaRekod launches Universal Patient Portal for worldwide health data mobility management
Published: 11-07-2022 | 09:21:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Kenyan-based AfyaRekod launched the fully automated Universal Patient Portal – a block-chain driven technology that will transform the face of patient care across Africa and the World.


London-based fintech startup Griffin raises $15m to become the bank fintechs can build on
Published: 08-07-2022 | 13:14:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Griffin, a Banking as a Service (BaaS) fintech firm, announced it has raised $15.5 million funding to launch the OS for embedded finance.


Sabre joins Plug and Play as travel and hospitality partner
Published: 08-07-2022 | 12:27:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Sabre Corporation, a software and technology company powering the global travel industry, announced its partnership with Plug and Play's Travel and Hospitality program headquartered in the heart of Silicon Valley.


Medical Solutions acquires healthcare staffing tech startup Matchwell
Published: 08-07-2022 | 12:12:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Matchwell, the healthcare staffing solution built for today's flexible workforce, announced it has been acquired by Medical Solutions, one of the nation's largest providers of total workforce solutions serving the healthcare industry.


Israeli biotech food colorant startup Phytolon closes $14.5m funding to accelerate growth
Published: 08-07-2022 | 11:36:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Phytolon, the developer of fermentation-based natural food colors, announced it has secured $14.5 million Series A funding, led by DSM Venturing, to further progress its technology towards commercialization.


Stellar Ventures closes $23m fund for next-gen of space entrepreneurs
Published: 08-07-2022 | 11:15:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Stellar Ventures launched its first fund, SV Andromeda Fund LP, which recently held its final closing with over $23 million in capital commitments and the mission to invest in the future of space technology.


ING Ventures invests in OpenFin to accelerate growth across the financial industry
Published: 06-07-2022 | 13:54:23 | By: Pie Kamau
OpenFin, the operating system (OS) of enterprise productivity, announced it has secured a strategic investment from ING Ventures, the venture capital arm of ING.


Simplifyber secures $3.5m seed investment to reinvent how clothing is made with sustainable, advanced Manufacturing
Published: 06-07-2022 | 13:40:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Simplifyber, the creator of the world's first fully-molded garment and shoe uppers made directly from a cellulose-based liquid, announced the closing of a $3.5 million round of seed funding.


Verification platform ComplyCube expands startup assistance program to $50,000
Published: 06-07-2022 | 13:26:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Verification platform ComplyCube, has increased startup assistance to $50,000. The Startup Program supports qualifying businesses with free checks, resources, and consultancy.


Crescent fintech raises $5m pre-seed round, launches platform to help companies improve cash management
Published: 06-07-2022 | 13:09:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Crescent, a fintech best known for crypto-backed high yields, announced it has raised $5 million pre-seed round from strategic angels and tech founders.


Israeli fintech and capital markets startup Deshe Analytics raises $6.5m funding to expand to international markets
Published: 06-07-2022 | 12:08:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Israeli fintech and capital markets startup Deshe Analytics announced a $6.5 million seed funding round led by Group 11.


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.


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.


Nemetschek invests in UK-based startup SymTerra to drive digitalization in the construction industry
Published: 05-07-2022 | 15:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The Nemetschek Group, one of the software providers for the AEC/O and media & entertainment industries, announced to have invested in the UK-based startup SymTerra, a construction site communications platform.


Neomoon digital bank raises $850k in first seed capital investment round
Published: 05-07-2022 | 14:39:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Neomoon, the digital bank based on stablecoin which offers Latin Americans financial solutions to protect their money from devaluation and facilitate daily transactions, announced the closing of $850k first seed capital investment round.


London-based startup growth agency Tailored Brands rebrands to Ventuure to scale Series A and B startups
Published: 05-07-2022 | 14:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Startup growth agency Tailored Brands announced it is rebranding to become Ventuure, to evolve its mission to support Series A and B startups.


Dutch-based startup Backbase raises €120m in growth equity funding
Published: 05-07-2022 | 14:04:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Backbase, creator of the category-leading Engagement Banking platform, raised €120 million in growth equity funding from Motive Partners.


French space-tech startup Leanspace raises €6m to digitalize the space industry via the cloud
Published: 04-07-2022 | 16:26:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Leanspace, the company building the digital infrastructure of the space industry, announced the closing of an oversubscribed seed financing round of €6 million.


London-based invoice intelligence platform Xelix completes $5m Series A funding to accelerate growth
Published: 04-07-2022 | 15:57:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Invoice intelligence platform Xelix announced it has successfully completed the Series A funding round, raising $5 million.


Peterson Ventures raises $140m across Fund IV and Opportunity Fund I to double down on its core strategy
Published: 04-07-2022 | 15:01:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Peterson Ventures, a pre-Series A venture firm that invests across SaaS and digital commerce, announced that it has raised over $140 million in new capital for its Fund IV and Opportunity Fund I.


Bodybuilding.com partners with Retail Ecommerce Ventures to accelerate growth
Published: 04-07-2022 | 14:45:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Bodybuilding.com, the online fitness store, has struck a deal to partner with Retail Ecommerce Ventures (REV), a global leader in e-Commerce with a rapidly growing roster of well-known brands, to accelerate growth.


Entertainment tech startup Virtuosica launches for select artists and U.S. audiences
Published: 04-07-2022 | 13:31:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Entertainment tech startup Virtuosica has launched the beta version of its first product, the Virtuosica virtual concert platform.


Telehealth startup Ria Health secures $18m Series A to scale online alcohol use disorder treatment
Published: 01-07-2022 | 15:20:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Ria Health, a telehealth provider specializing in alcohol use disorder (AUD) treatment, announced the closing of $18 million in Series A funding


Telegraph Hill Partners raises $525m fifth fund for new life science and healthcare investments
Published: 01-07-2022 | 14:55:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Telegraph Hill Partners (THP), a venture capital and growth equity firm dedicated to building life science and healthcare technology businesses, announced it has closed on THP V, a new $525 million investment fund.


BII invests $20m in African mobility fintech Moove to strengthen the informal transport industry
Published: 01-07-2022 | 14:30:00 | By: Pie Kamau
The British International Investment (BII), the UK government’s Development Finance Institution (DFI), announced a $20 million, 4-year structured credit investment in Moove, a mobility fintech democratising access to vehicle ownership in Africa.


Lummus announces successful startup of CATOFIN PDH unit in China
Published: 01-07-2022 | 14:21:00 | By: Pie Kamau
Lummus Technology announced the commissioning and startup of a propane dehydrogenation (PDH) unit at Shandong Ruize Chemical Technology's complex in China.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


[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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


[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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


[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.


[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.


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.


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 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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


[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.


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.


[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.


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.


[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