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DEMO Africa

Top African investors and entrepreneurs to speak at #DEMOAfrica2016

by lanredahunsi August 9, 2016

PRESS RELEASE

Top African investors and entrepreneurs to speak at #DEMOAfrica2016

August 9, 2016, Nairobi, Kenya: Top African investors and entrepreneurs are set to take centre stage at the DEMO Africa 2016 event to share some insights around business growth and development of entrepreneurial skills.

The event is scheduled from 22nd to 26th August 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The series of events, which include an entrepreneur bootcamp and a series of master-classes will be hosted in collaboration with the City of Johannesburg, the South African Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the LIONS@FRICA partners.

Now in its fifth year, DEMO Africa is one of the flagship initiatives of LIONS@frica and aims to
connect African startups to the global ecosystem. DEMO Africa is the place where the most
innovative companies from African countries get a platform to launch their products and announce to Africa and the world what they have developed.

The initiative has hosted 150 startups in the past four years raising more than US$14million in both investment and business value. “We have seen series impact in the last 4 years, one of the startups launched in 2014 has since gone to raise more than US$2 million and employed more than 150 people,” said Harry Hare, Executive Director, DEMO Africa.

This year’s event will feature some of the most prominent investors and entrepreneurs from
Africa and the organizer’s hope to see deals being signed at the event. “It will be good to see
some deals being made on the floor of the event. We have created a special area, which we call
the “DealZone” where investors and entrepreneurs can have investment discussions,” said a
source from DEMO Africa.

Some of the speakers who will also provide feedback to the launching startups include:

Marcello Schermer: Regional Manager for Africa at Seedstars World
Arthur Goldstuck: Arthur Goldstuck heads the World Wide Worx research organisation,
Eric Osiakwan: Managing Partner, Chanzo Capital
Lexi Novitske
Marquise Stillwell:Founder & Principal, OpenBox
Ralesheba Moeng: Partner, CVC Africa Capital Partners
Toby Shapshak: Editor/Publisher, Stuff Magazine
Stephen Ozoigbo: Founder/CEO African Technology Foundation
Megan Edmonds
Wim van der Beek: Founder and Managing Partner, Goodwell Investments
Harry Hare: CEO and Executive Producer, DEMO Africa
Yaron Assabi: Founder, Digital Solutions Group
Vincent Kouwenhoven: Foun
Amrote Abdella, Reginal Director, Africa initiatives at Microsoft
der – Investment Director, eVA Fund
Aaron Fu: Managing Partner (Africa), NEST VC
Bunmi Okunowo: National Coordinator,(OIIE),(NITDA)
Thomas Debass: Deputy Special Representative for Global Partnerships
Llew Claasen: Executive Director Bitcoin Foundation & Venture Capitalist
Eghosa Omoigui: General Partner –EchoVC Partners
David van Djik

DEMO Africa 2016 saw over 700 technology startups from 27 African countries apply to launch at the event. They were then narrowed down to 30 start-ups with South Africa having the highest representation of up to 11 startups followed by Nigeria 6, Kenya 5 and Ghana 3.For the first time Morocco will have a representative in the continental faire. Other countries include Egypt, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda.

The 30 finalist startups have products in 11 verticals including logistics, retail, ecommerce, education, banking and finance, media, renewable energy, health and agriculture. Banking and
financial technologies had the highest number of entries followed by media, e-commerce and
education.

About DEMO Africa

DEMO Africa is one of the flagship initiatives of LIONS@frica and aims to connect African startups to the global ecosystem. DEMO Africa is the place where the most innovative companies from African countries get a platform to launch their products and announce to Africa and the world what they have developed.

DEMO Africa allows start-ups from all over Africa to meet VCs, investors, tech acquisition specialists, IT buyers and media from across the region and around the globe. The Start-ups are given an opportunity to launch their products to a tech eco-system.

August 9, 2016 0 comment

Blog

DEMO Africa releases 2016 list of Top 30 Finalist Startups

by lanredahunsi July 18, 2016

written by lanredahunsi

July 18, 2016 Nairobi, Kenya: Demo Africa, the continent’s premier launch pad for emerging technologies and trends has today released the list of its final 30 startups that will launch at this year’s DEMO Africa conference in Johannesburg, 25th

The finalists were picked from a record 723 technology startups from 27 African countries that applied to launch at the event. Out of the 30, South Africa is represented by 11 startups, Nigeria 6,Kenya 5 and Ghana 3. For the first time Morocco will have a representative in the continental faire. Other countries include Egypt, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda.

“The entries this year certainly kept up with the DEMO Africa spirit to produce innovative and creative ideas that are bound to transform the technology landscape and we are excited by the growth of innovation and technological advancement in Africa as portrayed by our finalists,” said Harry Hare, DEMO Africa Executive Producer while congratulating the finalists.

The 30 finalist startups have products in 11 verticals including logistics, retail, ecommerce,
education, banking and finance, media, renewable energy, health and agriculture. Banking and financial technologies had the highest number of entries followed by media, ecommerce and education.

The adjudication process which began mid-June 2016, involved a series of activities with a continental jury. “The adjudication process involves a review of the documentation submitted by the startups, a review of their online properties, and testing some of the applications that are online, but the judges also look at the innovation, viability and the product – market fit,” said Mbugua Njihia, the Event Director.

“It was difficult to come up with this list,” said Harry Hare, Executive Director, DEMO Africa.
“Any of the short-listed companies could make an impression on the DEMO Africa stage due to the quality and their potential. But we can only have 30 companies. I would like to congratulate all the companies that participated and encourage them to continue building their business,” Hare continued.

The DEMO Africa 2016 conference, which will take place from 25 to attract venture capitalists, angel Investors, investment fund managers tech buyers, entrepreneurs, innovation supporters & media from various parts of the world.

This year’s event is supported by the LIONS@frica Partners, City of Johannesburg, the South African Department of Science and Technology. Other partners include Google, The World Bank, and African Technology Foundation.

DEMO Africa 2016 list of finalist startups

Grid Supply Chain
Loystar
Iyris KO Ltd
Cocktail Insights
Boresha Limited
Ujuzi Software Solutions
MumsVillage Ltd
Strauss Energy
IT Brothers
Nextwi
Solstice HES
WESABI
ArtNigeria
Shuttlers
Rubiqube Limited
SharpHire Global Limited
Vuga Ltd
ConnectMed
Reel Gardening
SolarCap Pty Ltd
RadioVybe
Sortd
ION Comsys
Ekasi Energy
4th Element
K Measure Pty Ltd
Zivo Learning
flexyPAY Intenational
Telescrypts
Lipa Mobile

About DEMO Africa

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of DEMO Africa 2016

July 18, 2016 0 comment

Blog

DEMO Africa 2016 shortlists 131 companies on its first round of adjudication

by lanredahunsi June 23, 2016

written by lanredahunsi

Nairobi, June 22nd 2016, DEMO Africa 2016 has short listed a total of 131 startups during its first round of adjudication.

The 131 applications were narrowed down from 723 applications that were submitted.

The applications were received from 46 countries, a more than 30% increase from last year’s event which had attracted 26 countries.

“We are very excited at the response we received from the startups and startup owners.
This goes to show how DEMO Africa is becoming a critical piece of the entrepreneurship
development agenda in the continent,” said Mr. Harry Hare, Executive Director, DEMO
Africa.

Nigeria had the highest number of applications at 217, followed by Kenya at 154 and South
Africa at 104. Other countries that had a good showing were Uganda at 23 applications,
Cameroon 17, Ghana 16, Zimbabwe 14, Egypt and Tanzania 12, Ivory Coast 8, Ethiopia 7,
Zambia and Rwanda submitted 6 applications each.

This year, DEMO Africa also attracted participation of African diaspora entrepreneurs with those in the US topping the list at 15 applications and Belgium 4.

Applications were also received from other countries outside Africa and these include the
United Arab Emirates, Netherlands, South Korea, Costa Rica and Afghanistan.

“In the past four years, we have been reaching more people and more countries year on
year, spreading the entrepreneurship spirit throughout the continent,” Mr. Hare continued.

Out of the 131 companies the judges will have to narrow down and identify only 30 companies who will then launch their products at the DEMO Africa platform in Johannesburg, South Africa on 25th and 26th August.

Twelve judges from across the continent are currently reviewing the applications and will
later short list 50 startups that will then go into the next round of adjudication.
Speaking on the same, Mr. Mbugua Njihia, Event Director, DEMO Africa said,

“We have developed a 3 tier adjudication process that makes sure we have the companies with the highest potential to have the opportunity to launch their business and products at the DEMO Africa platform.”

The adjudication process will continue until the end of June and the announcement of the
final 30 is expected in the first week of July.

About DEMO Africa

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of 2016 DEMO Africa

June 23, 2016 0 comment

Call for Applications

DEMO Africa 2016 Competition for Innovative African Startups

by OFA May 31, 2016

written by OFA

Application Deadline: 15th June 2016.

DEMO Africa is back! Now on its fifth season, will be happening at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa on 25th-26th August 2016. We are looking for 30 most innovative companies to launch their products and services in-front of investors, technology buyers and the media. In 2015 #DemoAfrica shortlisted top 30 startups raised over $8M in funding from DEMO Africa event in
Abuja, Nigeria.

Applications are now being accepted for the DEMO Africa 2016 Competition. DEMO Africa provides a platform where the most innovative companies from Africa get to launch their products and announce to Africa and the world what they have developed. These African start-ups get to meet VCs, investors, tech acquisition specialists, IT buyers and media from across the region and around the globe.

demo-africa-2016

2016 DEMO Africa Innovation Tours (Fully Funded to South Africa to Picth Your Start Up Idea).

by OFA May 19, 2016

written by OFA

DEMO Africa is back! Now on its fifth season, will be happening at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa on 25th-26th August 2016. We are looking for 30 most innovative companies to launch their products and services in-front of investors, technology buyers and the media. We begun our regional tours in East Africa and where over 30 startups have pitched their products.

DEMO Africa Innovation Tours.

DEMO Africa Innovation Tours are outreach programs f whose aims to bring together startups and technology industry players to look at ways through which innovations can be turned into business ventures. Each start up will be given an ooprutniy to pitch their products. The most innovative product will be given an opportunity to pitch and the main even in South Africa.

Below are details for the upcoming tours venues and dates are:

Accra- 24th May 2016 register here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/demo-africa-innovation-tours-west-africa-accra-tickets-25405523605
Lagos-26th May 2016 register here https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/demo-africa-innovation-tours-west-africa-lagos-tickets-25404532641

demo-africa-innovation-tours-2016

DEMO Africa Main Event.

DEMO Africa now on its fifth season, is happening at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa and we don’t want you to miss it. We are looking for 30 most innovative companies to launch their products and services in-front of investors, technology buyers and the media.

DEMO Africa sets itself apart from all other launch options. Our track record of success, turnkey services and exposure to the entire ecosystem of VCs, Angel Investors, IT buyers and global IT press. Over the years we have launched over 150 companies raising more than US$14million in investment and business deals. Whether you are looking for investment, partnerships or just publicity, consider launching at DEMO Africa.

. Apply HERE on or before 15th JUNE 2016 11:59PM East African Time. | Register to attend here.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of DEMO Africa

May 19, 2016 0 comment

Contests Nigeria

Apply to pitch your startup at the 2015 Regional DEMO Africa Events

by lanredahunsi May 22, 2015

written by lanredahunsi

Application Deadline: May 31st 2015

The main DEMO Africa event will take place on September 24^th and 25^th

DEMO Africa allows start-ups from all over Africa to meet VCs, investors, tech acquisition specialists, IT buyers and media from across the region and around the globe. The start-ups are given an opportunity to launch their products to a tech eco-system under the following categories:

Agriculture
Health
Education
Manufacturing
Retail
Media and Entertainment
Communication
Transport and Logistics
Energy
Finance and Banking
Water and Sanitation
Waste Management and Recycling

To qualify for DEMO Africa 2015, start-ups must ensure that their products have the ability to impact the marketplace of introduction.

A clear business plan and a team capable of delivering the product are also vital. The product must be ready for launch and the business must be legally registered. Preference is given to disruptive innovations that have massive potential for scale.

Which Innovations are best suited for DEMO Africa?

The ultimate qualification is the ability of the innovation to change or impact the market place into which it’s introduced or create a new market.

Products must :

– Solve a commercial problem
– Make an impact or change the marketplace into which it is introduced or create a new market
– Have a business plan and a management team capable of delivering the product to market
– Make its public debut at the DEMO Africa conference
– Must be a registered company

Products that are not eligible include:

– Products currently in public distribution, either as a launched product or as a highly publicised beta test;
– Upgrades to an existing product;
– Products entering an already saturated market category with little market differentiation;
– Products that have been widely covered by technology and business media.

The local events are intended to bring together regional technology eco-systems to learn and share from peers and industry players. Especially encouraging innovations in less favored categories where interventions are critically needed in various countries across Africa.

The DEMO Africa mini-events will be hosted in four cities across Africa.

These include Nairobi, Accra, Harare and Cairo.

Nairobi on June 3^rdwhere East African technology entrepreneurs will interact with key industry players and their more successful peers
Accra (June 10),
Cairo (June 17) and
Harare (June 24).

Apply now for DEMO Africa 2015 and make sure to select one of the cities on the application form if you want to attend a local event.
Entrepreneurs who already submitted their application form can contact [email protected] with their preferred city to meet the team. Innovators from across Africa can apply in 12 categories which include: Agriculture, Health, Education, Manufacturing and Retail. Others are Media and entertainment, Communication, Transport and Logistics, Energy, Finance and Banking, Water and Sanitation, Waste Management and recycling.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of DEMO Africa 2015

May 22, 2015 0 comment