The first African cohort of innovators program started by Antler, an international startup generator firm held their demo in Nairobi, the first in Africa with ambitious plans to implement their business ideas in Kenya and expand across Africa.
Startups founders who participated in a 6-month program in Kenya pitched their fintech ideas that use digital technologies to improve consumers experience, giving users convenience among other financial digital solutions showcased their projects in from of the audience of investors and fellow entrepreneurs in Nairobi at the Address.
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Antler, one of the biggest startup incubators and accelerators expanded in Africa last year establishing its first entrepreneurship program in Nairobi, Kenya.
According to Antler, during the inaugural program, the firm received more than 1200 applications, selected 37 brilliant founders from 13 countries and invested 100,000USD in 4 startups that were built at the program in the past 6 months. The four startups include AIfluence Inc., Digiduka, ChapChapGo and AnyiHealth. All of these brilliant founders met at Antler earlier this year to build their own company.
“I believe each of the founders has inspiring stories to tell, given they all met during the program, came up with the business idea, validated and turned it into a business that raised 100,000USD in only 11 weeks ,” said Selam Kedebe, Director of Antler, East Africa
Antler invests US$100,000 for a 20 percent equity stake in each company selected by its investment committee.
Some of the innovative ideas founders generated during the program seek to increase access to healthcare insurance in Nigeria and Kenya by offering digital loans, other founders are involved in online marketing using artificial intelligence other fintech solutions with hope to tap into the growing Africa’s digital economy.
Following its first program completion in Africa, Antler says that it is now, the world largest startup generator.
“The fact that Antler is enabling such high caliber founders to build these amazing companies in less than 6 months is also something we pride ourselves,” said Ms. Kedede adding that they hope others would follow suit in order to create a dent in the African and global startup ecosystem.
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer.
He could be contacted at udohrapulu@gmail.com