DEMO Africa releases list of 30 finalists

Demo Africa, the continent’s premier launch pad for emerging technologies and trends has today released the list of its final 30 startups lined to launch at this year’s DEMO Africa conference in Johannesburg, 23-24 November.

The finalists were picked from a record 956 digital startups from 28 African countries that applied to launch at the event. Out of the 30, South Africa is represented by eight startups, Nigeria seven, Kenya six while both Ghana and Zimbabwe has two representatives. Cameroun, Uganda, Morocco, Tanzania and Senegal have each an entry. Four of the companies were picked through Innovation Tours.

“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 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,”

Harry Hare, DEMO Africa Executive Producer

The final 30 companies have products in 10 verticals including logistics, retail, e-commerce, education, fintech, media, renewable energy and health. Banking and financial technologies (Fintech) had the highest number of tries followed by media and e-commerce.

The adjudication process, which began in mid-June 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.

The DEMO Africa 2017 conference, which will take place from 23^rd – 24^th November, and it is expected 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 Ekurhuleni, the Provincial Government of Gauteng and a host of other partners including Microsoft, Google, The African Business Angels Network and African Technology Foundation among others.

Below are the shortlisted companies:-