NBA Africa has announced the 10 startups from seven African countries selected for its highly anticipated Demo Day at the NBA headquarters in New York City, set for Wednesday, September 25, 2024. This event is part of the “Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator”, launched in April 2024, aimed at boosting Africa’s tech ecosystem and nurturing the next wave of African entrepreneurs.
During the Demo Day, these startups will pitch their innovative solutions to a panel of international industry leaders. From the 10, four winning companies will receive financial support, mentorship, and the chance to participate in development programs facilitated by NBA Africa and its partners.
Nigeria Leads with Four Startups
Four Nigerian startups made the final list, showcasing diverse innovations:
– Buzza (Nigeria): A platform that helps sports organizations improve their operations through digital solutions.
– Festival Coins (Nigeria): An event technology company offering a no-code event registration and ticketing platform.
– Naemo Global (Nigeria): Revolutionizing sports scouting in Africa using AI-powered data analytics.
– Salubata (Nigeria): Creating eco-friendly modular shoes from repurposed plastic waste, contributing to sustainability efforts.
Innovations Across Africa
The remaining six startups hail from other African nations:
– Backrest (Rwanda): Wearable tech solution for cashless payments at events, called WristWrist.
– Gara (Côte d’Ivoire): A platform for pan-African video gaming and digital entertainment.
– HustleSasa (Kenya): A platform offering live event services including payment processing and merchandise sales.
– Power to Girls Foundation (Ghana): A mentorship platform, My Power App, aimed at empowering girls and women.
– UBR VR (Egypt): Providing immersive virtual reality (VR) experiences across Egypt.
– Vambo Technologies (South Africa): AI-powered language technology offering real-time translation and content creation.
NBA Africa’s Commitment to Innovation
Speaking on the initiative, NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi expressed excitement: “We have been inspired by the level of talent and creativity from all of the applicants, and we congratulate the 10 deserving finalists who will showcase their innovative solutions at Demo Day later this month.” Akamanzi emphasized that NBA Africa is committed to supporting startups that will elevate Africa’s sports and creative industries for years to come.
Accelerating Africa’s Tech Ecosystem
The “Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator,” operated by ALX Ventures, targets early-stage startups developing solutions in event management, ticketing, youth development, AI, and digital marketing. The initiative is focused on supporting Africa’s tech ecosystem and providing access to mentorship and capital, empowering entrepreneurs to scale their impact in the sports and creative sectors.
The four prize-winning startups will be announced during Demo Day.
NBA Africa’s Broader Mission
NBA Africa, an affiliate of the National Basketball Association (NBA), is dedicated to inspiring and connecting people through basketball. It manages the league’s business on the continent, including the Basketball Africa League (BAL), with offices in Cairo, Dakar, Johannesburg, Lagos, and Nairobi.
This initiative signals NBA Africa’s continued commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across the continent, empowering startups to drive growth in tech, sports, and entertainment.
