Qualcomm has announced the startups shortlisted for Qualcomm Make in Africa, an equity-free mentorship program that identifies promising early-stage and deep-technology startups eager to use advanced connectivity and processing technologies such as 5G, on-device Edge-AI/ML, Compute, and IoT in innovative end-to-end systems solutions.
Qualcomm received an overwhelming response this year, with approximately 435 applications from 19 countries. Only 10 from 5 countries were shortlisted. They demonstrated exceptional potential in applying advanced connectivity and processing technologies to innovative end-to-end systems solutions. The startups will receive free hardware platforms, mentorship, business coaching, access to engineering consultations for product development, and guidance on protecting intellectual property.
“This year’s cohort of deep technology startups is a testament to Africa’s burgeoning innovation landscape,” Wassim Chourbaji, SVP and President of Qualcomm MEA & SVP, Government Affairs EMEA, said in a press statement. “By leveraging Qualcomm’s cellular, IoT, and edge-AI technologies, these startups are poised to revolutionize agriculture, sustainability, climate change, transportation, and healthcare. We are honored to support their journey toward creating transformative solutions for a better future.”
The 2025 cohort includes the following startups:
- Aframend (Nigeria): AI-driven drug discovery with African phytochemicals.
- AmalXR (Tunisia): AI-powered VR rehabilitation with clinical validation and progress simulations.
- Archeos (Benin): Solar/IoT pisciculture automation for optimal water quality and feeding.
- ClimatrixAI (Nigeria): AI-driven hyperlocal flood risk prediction and monitoring.
- Ecobees (Tunisia): AI-based beekeeping for hive health, water levels, and climate conditions.
- Edulytics (Senegal): AI-based mobile liver fibrosis detection using ultrasound images.
- Farmer Lifeline (Kenya): Solar-powered AI robots for crop pests and disease detection.
- Pixii Motors (Tunisia): Electric scooter with AI/IoT battery optimization and swap stations.
- Pollen Patrollers (Kenya): AI/IoT-based precise and healthy pollination to combat hive collapse.
- Solar Freeze (Kenya): Solar-powered IoT cold storage to reduce post-harvest food loss.
“Innovation is the engine of Africa’s future, and it is clear the ten startups in this year’s cohort exemplify its power,” John Omo, Secretary General of the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), said in a press statement. “While ATU works to align spectrum policy, regional standards, and open-data practices so that new technologies move quickly from lab to market, we also recognize that real progress demands a broad coalition. We therefore call on governments, academia, investors, and industry to back these ventures—and every initiative that puts African ingenuity first.”
At the end of the mentorship cycle, startups will be eligible for the Social Impact Fund, provided through the Qualcomm Wireless Reach initiative. This fund supports startups in scaling their societal and market impact. One startup will be awarded the fund for its innovative use of wireless technology to address community needs, while the other nine will receive stipends to support their growth and continued development
Qualcomm also highlighted the progress of the L2Pro Africa IP e-learning Platform, a free online training program designed to empower startups, SMEs, and researchers in Africa to protect, secure, and maximize their innovations. The program has been created in collaboration with Adams and Adams, Africa’s leading intellectual property (IP) law firm.
The educational content has been updated with individual filing procedures for patents, industrial designs, and trademarks in Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, Rwanda, and within the two African patent organizations, ARIPO and OAPI, covering 43 African countries. These step-by-step descriptions of per-country filing requirements empower inventors to interact effectively with IP professionals, such as an IP attorney and their respective IP offices.
To date, over 135 African students have enrolled in the course, and several QMIA startup alumni have already begun the process of patenting their inventions.
