The UNDP has announced that 28 startups have been selected for the 2nd edition of its Growth Stage Impact Ventures (GSIV) competition. Among them are 9 African startups that are revolutionizing the fields of health, energy and waste management.
The 9 startups from Africa include: OneWattSolar — GosolarAfrica (Nigeria), BrightGreen Renewable Energy (Kenya), Easy Solar (Sierra Leone) ), Powerstove (Nigeria), Coliba (Côte D’Ivoire), ColdHubs (Nigeria), mPharma (Ghana), Vula Mobile (South Africa) and Kea Medicals (Benin).
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The first 4 are in the health sector, the next 2 in energy, and the last 3 in waste management. Launched jointly by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne (EPFL), Orange and the German company SAP, the competition aims to identify and promote entrepreneurs in developing countries, committed to the Sustainable Development Goals.
The UNDP press release specifies that the call for nominations was dedicated to companies that have completed their first round of funding. These were to deliver products and services that contribute to reducing gender inequalities, provide the poorest with access solutions to quality health and clean and affordable energy, reduce and recycle waste.
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UNDP African startups UNDP African startups
The selected start-ups will be studied by a committee of experts and representatives of the United Nations, to choose 12 finalists. The selected entrepreneurs will be invited to the SDG Finance Geneva Summit scheduled for May 2021, where they will have the opportunity to present their products to potential partners and investors.
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