US-based online publisher of technology news; TechCrunch brings the 2nd annual Startup Battlefield competition to Africa. Sponsored by Facebook, the competition seeks companies that have created technology to solve problems and develop the ecosystem across Africa.
Following its success in Kenya last year, TechCrunch final Startup Battlefield competition will be held in Nigeria on December 11th.
Selected finalists will compete for USD$25,000 (roughly UGX93.8 million) in no-equity cash. In addition an automatic participation in Startup Battlefield at TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco 2019.
Startups are focusing on cryptocurrencies, blockchain – and their role in helping the unbanked in Africa to access a broad range of services. Last year startups focused on how technology is optimizing supply chains, increasing access to education, strengthening farmers’ revenues.
“In a continent facing a crisis with antiquated banking technologies, low rate of financial inclusion, poor confidence in the banking system, and high remittance costs, cryptocurrencies could well take off,” said Mike Butcher, Editor at TechCrunch.
The event will also feature panel discussions that explore the best technology in Africa and how the technology investment landscapes is changing.
They will be keynote speech from Konstantinos Papamiltiadis, Facebook’s Director of Platform Partnerships – discussing the Facebook developer ecosystem. Some of the speakers confirmed for the event include; Olugbenga Agboola (Flutterwave), Nichole Yembra (Greenhouse Capital), Olaoluwa Samuel-Biyi (SureRemit) – among others.
Currently, Kenya’s Logistics Platform Lori Systems holds the win of TechCrunch Startup Battlefield.
