9 Startups Join Katapult’s Accelerator Program

Katapult has launched the Katapult Africa Accelerator in Kigali, Rwanda in partnership with Norad, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, Norrsken, and Smart Africa.

Having screened over 700 startups, the 9 companies selected by Katapult are in the space of food, agri and climate impact-tech on the continent.

The startups travelling to Kigali represent 5 different African countries (Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Morocco and Senegal).

Speaking at the launch, Tharald Nustad said: “Our decision to launch Katapult in Africa is driven by both a clear recognition of the need for change and an unprecedented opportunity for innovation. With a climate in crisis, it is all too clear that we must accelerate technologies to both overcome climate challenges and ensure food security. We simultaneously believe that it is Africa with its fast-growing business communities and young, tech-savvy population who are best placed to deliver highly scalable, highly impactful solutions. With the price of inaction all too high and the opportunity for innovation all too apparent, it is a great privilege for us to be able to present 9 of the most dynamic African startups as they begin their Katapult journey.”

Philip Gasaatura, Katapult Country Director, Rwanda, said: “I’m really excited for the future in Africa seeing many companies work tirelessly to solve the challenges in their communities and across Africa. Today, we are excited to welcome all the selected portfolio companies to the kick off the second Katapult Africa program here in Kigali, Rwanda.

The selected startups are:

GrowAgric – Kenya

GrowAgric is an end-to-end solution that provides small-scale farmers with access to training, working capital financing, farm record keeping digital tools and access to new markets for their products.

Aquarech – Kenya

Aquarech is at the forefront of aquaculture innovations to transform fish farmer livelihoods across Kenya. Strengthening the fish value chain and spearheading sustainable, environment-friendly practices buoys all actors involved.

Legendary Foods – Ghana

Delivering the nutrition of meat at the price & sustainability of plants using insect agriculture.

Spark – Ghana

Spark is a social finance app that makes transactions with your contacts better. Spark lets users chat and transact easily in one place, custom manage group finances, and view all transaction records in an organized way.

Gricd – Nigeria

Helps businesses reduce loss of perishables through real-time asset monitoring.

Vetsark Cleva – Nigeria

Vetsark helps farmers and agribusinesses digitalise their data and get bank financing.

Elucid – Madagascar/Ghana

Elucid advance human rights in global supply chains by improving producers’ health and livelihoods.

Afikamart – Senegal

Building the best B2B marketplace for smallholder farmers and food businesses.

Sand to Green – Morocco

Cultivating desert into arable land managed by regenerative agriculture practices and solar desalination.

Founded in 2017 by the serial entrepreneur and tech investor, Tharald Nustad, Katapult has invested in 145 portfolio companies and has run ten accelerator programs to date. Underpinned by the vision of building a thriving world for all, the success of Katapult’s investment model has been proven by its four unicorn investments.