After a competitive pitch battle among Africa’s brightest tech innovators at the 2023 MEST Africa Challenge, South African startup, Koa Academy has emerged as the overall winner securing a USD$50,000 (approx. Rand 947,855, UGX195 million) equity investment.
In a thrilling showcase of ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit, Koa Academy clinched the top spot with its groundbreaking solution poised to transform the Edtech industry. The startup impressed the judges showcasing significant market potential, revenue growth, and social impact.
“Winning the MEST Africa Challenge is an amazing experience for the Koa Academy team,” said Lauren Anderson, Co-founder and CEO of Koa Academy at the competition finale ceremony which was held in Accra, Ghana. “It highlights the hard work and dedication that everyone has put into growing Koa,” she adds — while expressing gratitude and optimism for the future of tech startups in Africa.
Ashwin Ravichandran, Portfolio Advisor at MEST Africa congratulated Koa Academy and finalists for their exceptional achievements and resilience.
Koa Academy is an online education platform that offers dynamic and interactive courses for grades 4-12. With a focus on engagement and accessibility —championing digital learning, making quality education available to anyone, anywhere, and transforming the educational landscape in South Africa.
With the new investment, Anderson and her team will better their startup.
The MEST Africa Challenge continues to be a pivotal platform for emerging tech startups in Africa, offering funding, visibility, and support to innovate and scale. Koa Academy’s victory underscores the vibrant potential within Africa’s tech ecosystem, promising a brighter future for the continent’s digital landscape.
Notably, the 2023 competition drew applications from hundreds of early-stage tech startups across Africa. A panel of esteemed judges, including investors and industry experts rigorously assessed the startups on criteria such as innovation, scalability, and team strength drawing finalists from Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, and Kenya who demonstrated their unique solutions and business models to participate in the grand finals.
The finalists in the competition were;
- Letaji (Kenya): Revolutionizing the construction industry, Letaji is an online marketplace streamlining the process of purchasing building materials. It connects homeowners, contractors, and hardware stores directly with top suppliers.
- Chestify AI (Ghana): This innovative platform enhances patient care by facilitating seamless connections and support among clinical professionals.
- OneHealth (Nigeria): At the forefront of health tech, OneHealth offers an integrated platform for virtual consultations, connecting patients with doctors and diagnostic centers while managing prescriptions and test results online.
- Sanya (Senegal): A visionary in IT edutainment, Sanya creates a unique blend of educational and entertainment digital products, fostering a community-based approach to tech learning for companies.
