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Top 40 startups selected for DEMO Africa 2012
October 1, 2012 Editor 0
Fourteen Kenyan start-ups have been selected to launch at the first DEMO Africa conference, to be held in October 2012.
DEMO Africa is the launchpad for emerging technology and trends in Africa and is scheduled to take place in Nairobi, Kenya from 24-26 October 2012. DEMO Africa will be the latest addition to the DEMO family of conferences and is expected be an iconic event for the continent’s most innovative entrepreneurs.
From the VC4Africa Blog :
After more than four months of work, we are pleased to announce the 40 entrepreneurs selected to launch at the first ever DEMO Africa conference.
Here is an overview of the selected ventures. Click on the tiles to find out more.
Balefyre is the sole supplier of it’s patented USSDx – USSD over IP server and emDial application. Earl Joseph South Africa 
Crowdpesa allows merchants to manage customer notifications and rewards on an intuitive dashboard. Christian KAKOBA Kenya 
dash2do is an online service for errand runners, private drivers, cash delivery, travel bookings and more. Samuel Wanjohi Kenya 
djoss.tv is a social TV platform that lets TV viewers everywhere discuss around their favorite TV shows, in real-time. Ndjientcheu Ngandjui Patrick Cameroon 
eLimu is an Android application for children in the Kenyan Primary School education system. Nivi Mukherjee Kenya 
Eskimi is a mobile social network to meet new people in Africa. Vytautas Paukštys Nigeria 
Evly is a Software-as-a-Service that can be used by organisations to “constructively engage” their stakeholders. Eric Edelstein South Africa 
ExpenZa takes the hassle out of expense tracking by automating as much of the process as possible. Wim Morris South Africa 
Firestring will find the right information for you when you need it. Alison Jacobson South Africa 
Framework One is a Cloud-Based bespoke development and business process automation using CloudCore. Stephan Pienaar South Africa 
Gigham makes it easy to discover, promote & monetize events. George Gally South Africa 
Hewani™ Retail enables consumers to shop for goods and services. Thuo Herbert Kenya 
iPay is an innovative payments processing solution and payment gateway for Africa. Philip Nyamwaya Kenya 
Kivuko is an online shopping gateway, enabling vendors to sell and deliver products directly to customers. Amiri Mziray Tanzania 
KKYB is an online platform that crowdsources writing and design services online. Kekeli Buckner Ghana 
Kuza is a mobile, location-based business platform for feature phones. Pieter Nel South Africa 
Kuzima allows you as a consumer to shame and praise companies that provide you with services. Michael Ocansey Ghana 
Kytabu is a texbook subscription application on a low cost tablet. Tonee Ndungu Kenya 
Lipisha enables small business owners to automatically process non cash payments and micropayments. Martin Kasomo Kenya 
Maliyo Games makes interactive multimedia content, published for web and mobile distribution. Hugo Obi Nigeria 
Meka is the industry innovator in comparison shopping, price and product reference. Mugume Collins Uganda 
m-KAZI is a mass market job search application accessed by mobile phone and online. Nancy Wang Kenya 
Mlouma is a web and mobile service that allows farmers and agribusiness to make decisions. Aboubacar Sidy Sonko Senegal 
Mobiflock, we want children to have all the benefits of a mobile phone, while still staying safe. Vanessa Clark South Africa 
mPawa is a mobile job matching application developed for the blue collar recruitment sector of Africa. Maxwell Donkor Ghana 
MPAYER is a mobile and web application that enables businesses to manage income and expenses. Stella Njoki Kenya 
MPrep helps kids learn, review, compete and collaborate through accessible mobile applications. Kosgei Isaac Kenya 
MTI offers the newest level in IT Support. With this App, you can get support no matter where you are in the world. Sean Venter South Africa 
mTRACKER is a menu-driven mobile application that runs on Series40 and Android platforms. Mwema Jacob Kenya 
mVerified is a verification tool that can be accessed online or via mobile. Patrick Innovator Kenya 
MyOrder is the easy way to order from shops around you for delivery or pick-up. Hilda Moraa Kenya 
OzinboPay is a mobile payment gateway that enables merchants within West Africa. Sam Paapa Opoku Ghana 
People Input is an African APPs store targeting general public and businesses. Serigne Barro Senegal 
Prowork is a project management and team collaboration app. Francis Onwumere Nigeria 
Qabila is a media content creator that capitalizes on crowdsourcing and digital media. Perihan Abou-Zeid Egypt 
Rasello helps businesses manage better consumer communication via SMS. Natalino Mwenda Tanzania 
SasaAfrica, an e-commerce platform that connects craftswomen in developing countries. Ella Peinovich Kenya 
SkillPod Media is a South African based game solutions provider. Mark van Diggelen South Africa 
TaxTim is an online virtual tax assistant who asks you simple questions in plain language. Evan Robinson South Africa 
Virtual Bank is a payment service for those without credit cards, bank accounts and those who want a cheap alternative. Tawanda Kembo Zimbabwe At DEMO Africa, a hand-selected group of new products will make their public debut to global press, investors, corporate acquirers, strategic partners and buyers. Adobe, Cisco, Google, Microsoft, Motorola, Symantec, Yahoo! and many others have acquired promising DEMO companies that have become household names today. DEMO Africa is a premier platform for the best and brightest companies throughout the continent seeking to launch their products in front of a global audience.
The 40 finalists have gone through three rigorous screening processes with the final vetting and adjudication done by a pan-African panel of judges comprised of entrepreneurs, VCs and Academia. The Judges included Martin Butler, Senior Lecturer, University of Stellenbosch, Athony Stonefield, Head of Ecosystem, Nokia, Toby Sharpshak, Editor, Stuff South Africa, Paul Nguru, CEO, PN Consultancy, Stephen Gugu, Director, Viktoria Solutions, Erik Hersman, Founder, Ushahidi/iHub, Eric Osaikwan, CEO, Research Africa, Tomi Davis, CEO, Technovision and Brian Longwe, DEMO Africa.
A total of 500 applications were processed in lead to this event. These were then short listed to 150 ventures before a selection of the final 40 was made. The ventures cover five categories including Mobile Technology, Social Media, Consumer Products, Cloud Services and Enterprise Technologies. South Africa and Kenya take a big chunk of the final 40 with Ghana and Nigeria coming in a close second. Other countries represented included Cameroon, Senegal, Egypt, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
The team at DEMO Africa, and everyone part of the VC4Africa community, would like to congratulate the selected entrepreneurs for their achievement. We count on you to make waves in Nairobi!
Cross- posted from : VC4Africa Blog
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