DEMO Africa; a flagship initiatives of LIONS@frica in September this year shortlisted 35 startups out of 956 applications that were submitted in from 29 African countries that underwent the final vetting pitching their business ideas at a launch event in Johannesburg, South Africa. The applications that were sent in for the challenge covered all major verticals that DEMO Africa expected; health, agriculture, trade and commerce, manufacturing, hospitality and entertainment, banking and finance.
DEMO Africa on Friday last week unveiled the five top companies of the year’s challenge; SOS Sante from Morocco, Versecom from Nigeria, Rooster from South Africa, and Taz Technologies and ZOA Tech Limited both from Kenya.
Day 2 Moments. #DemoAfrica2017 pic.twitter.com/wEbH9xKl6Q
— DEMO Africa (@DEMOAfrica) November 24, 2017
1. Versecom is a WiFi technology company with a mission to make internet a social amenity in Sub-Saharan Africa. The firm according to TechMoran, says its decision to choose WiFi as their distribution channel is due to its smaller form factor and lower utility requirement thus reducing the cost of internet infrastructure; our first solution approach.
2. SOS Sante is an extremely affordable, freely implementable device on cars no matter their age or model, that detects accidents, and sends passengers Location, Medical Record, Blood Type and Accident Assessment Reports directly to the closest emergency center and to Insurance Companies, using the most basic GSM technology for an ensured reach even in the less signal covered areas.
3. Rooster is re-imagining morning alarms by waking users up with surprises from friends and fresh content channels including music, comedy, religion, meditation, news, inspiration and more. The app wakes the user either with Voice notes from friends and family or by channel roosters that includes a wide range of content.
4. ZOA tech limited is a fintech startup passionate about financial services delivery focused on offering affordable financial services to low income earners.
5. Taz technologies is an innovative product that allows you to enjoy Postal Services at home, in the office, or on the go at your convenience through your mobile phone – Posta Mkononi.
Notably, Uganda’s automated sales assistant startup ‘Sellio’ that helps Ugandan sellers especially SMEs who today are using Facebook to sale their products – to increase on their sales. All the seller does is to connect sellio software on their Facebook page, and once they upload the products sellio immediately adds a smart price tag on each product at an agreed price, and then choose the perfect audience for you products before boosting them – was also shortlisted but never made it to the top 5 winners.
