Blog - Afrikan Heroes

Senegalese Agtech Startup Tolbi Raises Funding to Drive AI-Powered Precision Agriculture

November 18, 2023

In a significant stride for African agriculture, Tolbi, a cutting-edge Senegalese startup, has announced a pivotal investment from Fuzé. This funding marks a turning point for the agtech sector in the region, as Tolbi’s innovative solutions promise to revolutionize farm management and environmental sustainability.

Tolbi’s groundbreaking approach incorporates satellite imagery and artificial intelligence to deliver precise insights for farmers, empowering them to optimize practices, increase yields, and reduce operational costs. The startup’s commitment to sustainable agriculture is further exemplified by its creation of a marketplace facilitating the estimation and trading of carbon credits, allowing farmers to economically benefit from environmentally conscious farming practices.

The infusion of capital from Fuzé is poised to catapult Tolbi’s expansion throughout Africa and drive the development of advanced features for its digital solution. This strategic investment underscores Fuzé’s confidence in Tolbi’s potential and its positive impact on the African continent.

Mouhamadou Lamine KEBE, CEO & Founder of Tolbi, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are thrilled to welcome Digital Africa to our investment round. Their alignment with our vision and impactful initiatives in Agtech will undoubtedly accelerate Tolbi’s growth. With their robust financial and technical support, our team is poised for rapid scalability and progress.”

Ali Mnif, CIO of Digital Africa, echoed the sentiment: “We take pride in announcing our investment in Tolbi. Mouhamadou and his team have developed an innovative technology that seamlessly integrates climate considerations with smart agriculture solutions. With a seasoned team of researchers and specialists, Tolbi is well-positioned to lead the charge in transforming African agriculture.”

Tolbi stands as a pan-African climate-Agtech pioneer, harnessing the power of satellite imagery and AI for precision agriculture. The startup also operates a marketplace facilitating carbon credit estimation and trading in the voluntary market.

Tolbi is a Senegalese agtech startup founded in 2022, dedicated to advancing precision agriculture in Africa. Through the integration of satellite imagery and artificial intelligence, Tolbi empowers farmers with data-driven insights to enhance productivity and environmental sustainability.

Tolbi Fuzé Tolbi Fuzé

Moroccan Startup Chari Secures Major Funding from UM6P Ventures for B2B ECommerce Expansion

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert.
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the continent’s pioneers in this regard

Afreximbank Launches African Gastronomy and Culinary Arts Programme

November 17, 2023

Prof. Benedict Oramah, President of the African Export-import Bank

The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced the launching of an African Gastronomy and Culinary Arts Programme under its Creative Africa Nexus Initiative (CANEX).

Launched during the third Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2023), the CANEX African Gastronomy and Culinary Arts Programme is the newest vertical within the CANEX programme and featured nine celebrity chefs from Africa and the Caribbean taking part in masterclasses, live cooking demonstrations and conversations with culinary experts.

The inaugural session of the programme, concluded with a live demonstration, dubbed the “Jollof Wars” to highlight the unique flavours and cultural diversity of Jollof rice among Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal.

Prof Benedict Oramah, president Afriexim bank

Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, said that the introduction of the programme would help to refocus continental efforts towards local food production to ensure food security, reduce high food costs and imports and minimise the impact of external shocks on Africa’s food supply chain.

He described the programme as an opportunity for the promotion of African cuisine to develop trade and local food value chain through promotion of local foods, highlight their superior health benefits to local and regional communities and support local restauranteurs and entrepreneurs to upgrade the dining experience through skills development and capacity building.

The programme would also improve access to finance to help build sector infrastructure, such as restaurants, franchises and packaged goods production plants, to develop the local food value chains and increase employment opportunities.

The launch featured a live demonstration and conversation with the Afreximbank President and Dr. Pamela Coke-Hamilton, Executive Director, International Trade Center, tracing the African food journey and its influence on food culture in the Caribbean, the Americas and globally.

The programme which was developed by African Food Changemakers had participating chefs Davisha Burrowes, Development Chef, Yolk Brands, Barbados; Christian Abegan, CEO Abegan & Co, Cameroon; Natasha de Bourg, President, Trinidad Culinary Limited, and Chef Stone of Red Dish Chronicles, Nigeria.

Prof. Oramah said that the programme would develop an enabling ecosystem from farm to table and would address issues such as food sustainability, GMOs, local farming, the business of franchising and the art of African cuisine.

Afreximbank introduced its African Gastronomy Development Framework to finance the development and expansion of food service market infrastructure, support production of local packaged goods and other value-add products and facilitate training and capacity development of African chefs and sous chef, food technologists, nutritionists, food safety specialist, etc.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Swoop Funding Introduces New Funding Options for Startups in South Africa

Swoop Funding, a leading global player in business funding solutions, proudly declares its official entry into the South African market, as of November 16, 2023. This strategic move has been made possible through robust collaboration with industry leaders Sage and Enterprise Ireland, solidifying Swoop’s commitment to addressing social, political, and economic challenges in South Africa.

The company’s expansion into South Africa represents a significant stride in its dedication to combatting high unemployment rates and fostering economic growth. Swoop aims to empower South African businesses by providing seamless access to a variety of funding solutions tailored to their unique needs.

Ciaran Burke, Co-founder of Swoop Funding

At the core of Swoop’s mission is the resolve to offer comprehensive financial support, responding to the urgent demand highlighted by a survey indicating that 96% of South African small- and medium-sized businesses seek assistance with Access to Finance[1]. Swoop bridges this gap by connecting businesses with a diverse array of funding options, including loans, equity investment, and grants. This holistic approach ensures that businesses can access the most suitable finance to spur their growth and sustainability.

The decision to establish a presence in South Africa is reinforced by strategic partnerships with Sage, a global leader in accounting software and business technology solutions, and Enterprise Ireland, a key player in Irish economic development. These collaborations underscore a shared commitment to nurturing innovation, growth, and sustainability within the South African business landscape.

Ciaran Burke, Co-founder of Swoop Funding, expresses enthusiasm about the venture, stating, “We are thrilled to introduce Swoop to South Africa, a country teeming with potential and a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit. Our platform is designed to be a catalyst for positive change, offering a lifeline to businesses facing financial challenges.”

Swoop’s participation at AfricaCom, alongside industry leaders from Sage and Enterprise Ireland, as well as Ireland’s Ambassador to South Africa, HE Austin Gormley, showcased a collaborative effort and shared commitment to supporting South African businesses on their path to success.

Already making a positive impact in the local business community, Swoop has successfully funded enterprises such as Growing Paper, a South African company producing handmade, biodegradable paper embedded with seeds. This early success underscores the platform’s efficacy in addressing the diverse funding needs of businesses across various sectors.

Ambassador Austin Gormley expressed strong support for Swoop’s entry into the South African market, welcoming the arrival and acknowledging the contribution they will make by addressing critical challenges and creating meaningful opportunities for local businesses.

Swoop Funding is a global platform dedicated to facilitating simplified access to funding for businesses. Their mission is to empower all businesses and drive economic growth by seamlessly connecting them with a comprehensive range of funding options, including loans, equity investment, and grants.

Nairobi-Based Bio-Logical Raises $1M Seed Funding to Empower Smallholder Farmers and Combat CO2 Emissions

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert.
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the continent’s pioneers in this regard

South Africa’s Welltec Group Secures $5.4M Funding, Eyes Global Impact in FinWellTech Revolution

Legacy Africa Capital Partners’ (LACP) Fund 1 has recently injected a substantial R100 Million ($5.4M) investment into Welltec, a prominent Financial Wellness Technology (FinWellTech) firm. This investment aims to fortify Welltec’s market standing and facilitate the expansion of their customized financial wellness programs targeted at financial and fintech organizations. The timing is crucial, given the challenging financial landscape in South Africa, marked by soaring debt levels and economic strains. Welltec’s FinWellTech software is designed to craft configurable, personalized financial wellness programs, offering a lifeline for individuals navigating the complexities of personal loans in the face of economic adversity. The investment is strategic for LACP, aligning with their commitment to fostering innovation in the financial technology space, and is a testament to Welltec’s adept and diverse management team.

Weltech founders, Johannes Jonck, Richard Charrington, Gert Jonck, and Obed Tongoane

Why the Investors Invested

The investment decision is anchored in Welltec’s potential to address the pressing financial challenges faced by South Africans. LACP recognizes Welltec’s capacity to make significant impacts in the FinWellTech domain, emphasizing the leadership prowess of Johannes Jonck, Richard Charrington, Gert Jonck, and Obed Tongoane. The financial struggles of South Africans, as highlighted by PwC’s 2023 Employee Financial Wellness Survey, underscore the demand for effective financial management solutions. Welltec’s products directly target this need by providing tools for managing personal finances, tracking spending, and setting realistic financial goals. The investment from LACP not only supports Welltec’s mission to alleviate employee over-indebtedness but also propels the company towards becoming a leader in the Financial Wellness Technology sector.

A Look at Welltec

Founded in September 2020, Welltec Group is a FinWellTech startup operating in South Africa. The founders, Johannes Jonck, Richard Charrington, Gert Jonck, and Obed Tongoane, lead a company with a primary focus on automating the complex process of restructuring consumer debt. The Welltec platform employs a rule-based decision-making logic that tailors debt restructuring plans to each consumer’s unique situation, distinguishing itself from other service providers in its product agnostic and client-centric approach. Welltec’s commitment to addressing local financial challenges aligns with LACP’s dedication to nurturing homegrown South African solutions. By focusing on financial wellness and technology, Welltec not only tackles critical financial issues but also contributes to the growth and development of the tech industry, making a meaningful impact on the economy and society.

Welltec South Africa Welltec South Africa

Grindstone and Anglo American Foundation Unveil First Cohort of Green Tech Startups in South Africa

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert.
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the continent’s pioneers in this regard

Flat6Labs Intensifies Sub-Saharan African Entry with New Partner for its $95M Africa Seed Fund

In a strategic move aimed at fortifying its presence in the dynamic African startup landscape, Flat6Labs (www.Flat6Labs.com), the preeminent seed venture capital firm in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, proudly welcomes Christine Namara as a Partner for its Africa Seed Fund. With over a decade of extensive experience in private equity, startup operations, and venture capital, Namara brings unparalleled expertise and a vast network to Flat6Labs’ recently unveiled US $95 million Africa Seed Fund (ASF), dedicated to nurturing early-stage tech startups across the African continent.

The Africa Seed Fund will concentrate its investments in three key regions: North Africa, West Africa, and East Africa, signaling Flat6Labs’ expansion into the East and West African markets. Namara’s regional proficiency will play a crucial role in establishing and managing this expansion, ensuring seamless integration with local startup ecosystems. Over the next five years, ASF aims to invest in over 160 early-stage startups operating in the technology sector in Africa.

Describing herself as “vigorously pan-African,” Namara boasts extensive experience within the African technology ecosystem. Her journey includes transitioning from the operational side to the dynamic world of venture capital. In her previous roles at two prominent high-growth startups in East Africa, Namara honed her skills in B2B sales, people management, and product management. Before joining Flat6Labs, she led capital ventures at a reputable accelerator for early-stage startups in Africa. This diverse background has provided Namara with an intricate understanding of the multifaceted challenges and opportunities that early-stage entrepreneurs encounter in the ever-evolving African tech landscape.

In her role at Africa Seed Fund, Namara takes on a pivotal position in identifying, nurturing, and supporting innovative startups. Her extensive experience in private equity and venture capital equips her with unparalleled knowledge and strategic insights, making her an invaluable asset to the fund’s mission.

“With innovation as our compass and collaboration as our engine, I am honored to join Flat6Labs, a pioneering force in shaping Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape. Together, we will embark on a transformative journey, unlocking the vast potential of startups across the continent. In this interconnected world, every idea has the power to change lives. I am excited to champion these innovations, catalyzing progress and leaving a lasting impact on communities in Africa and beyond,” Namara states.

Dina el-Shenoufy and Ramez El Serafy, General Partners of Africa Seed Fund, emphasize that Namara’s appointment is a significant milestone in the company’s African expansion journey. Her wealth of knowledge, combined with her extensive regional network, will be invaluable as the team continues to support and nurture innovative startups on the continent through the Africa Seed Fund. The fund is anticipated to have a substantial impact on the continent, potentially creating more than 14,000 jobs, supporting over 1,200 founders with 20% female participation, and generating revenue exceeding US$700 million.

Leading Accelerator and Investor, Flat6Labs, Expanding to the Rest of Africa

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert.
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the continent’s pioneers in this regard

Moroccan Startup Chari Secures Major Funding from UM6P Ventures for B2B ECommerce Expansion

UM6P Ventures, the investment arm of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, has revealed its strategic investment in the e-commerce startup Chari, aiming to enhance financial inclusion and digital accessibility across Africa.

In a joint statement, UM6P Ventures and Chari announced their collaborative partnership with the goal of creating a framework conducive to financial inclusion, fostering sustainable growth, and promoting the harmonious development of entrepreneurial ecosystems.

The investments made by UM6P Ventures will be directed towards strengthening the capacities of both Moroccan and broader African ecosystems to address significant challenges. Yassine Laghzioui, CEO of UM6P Ventures, stated that this investment, in line with their broader digital transformation strategy, specifically targets challenges in Retailtech.

Expressing contentment with the partnership, Ismael Belkhayat, CEO of Chari, highlighted the startup’s intention to leverage the funds to establish itself as a leader in B2B e-commerce, offering integrated finance solutions in Francophone Africa. Belkhayat emphasized the startup’s commitment to geographical expansion and the development of Fintech services, enabling local businesses to access and provide various financial services.

Chari, operating in Morocco, Tunisia, and Ivory Coast, aims to digitize the entire distribution value chain through its B2B e-commerce application. The startup gained international recognition in May when it secured the 10th position on the Financial Times’ list of the fastest-growing businesses in Africa. Since its founding in 2018, Chari has experienced remarkable growth, with revenue increasing from $200,000 in its inaugural year to $1.8 million in 2021, achieving an impressive compound annual growth rate of 92%, according to the Financial Times.

Chari ecommerce Chari ecommerce

Tunisia’s Konnect Plans North African Expansion with Visa Accelerator Selection

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert.
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the continent’s pioneers in this regard

inDrive Launches Venture and M&A Arm

November 16, 2023

The global mobility and urban services platform inDrive has announced the launching of a new venture and M&A arm aiming to invest up to $100 million in promising startups. Seasoned entrepreneur and investment professional Andries Smit joins inDrive as Vice President of New Ventures.

New Ventures investments will focus on rapid growth and positive community impact with the following investment criteria:

A mission that challenges injustice, improving the lives of individuals and communities

Local market startups with potential for global expansion

Post-seed/pre-Series A companies with proven product market fit

Rapid organic growth

Healthy economics and cash flow

Andries Smit, Vice President of New Ventures at inDrive, says: “Once an underdog and now a global company, inDrive is certainly an investor to watch – the team has achieved rapid global growth while remaining committed to its mission of challenging injustice. By investing in emerging companies innovating to improve people’s lives, inDrive further strengthens its commitment to challenge injustice by helping successful, but overlooked startups. The company is uniquely positioned to do this, leveraging its presence and fast growth in these emerging markets that have much weaker access to capital markets than developed countries.

I’m thrilled to apply my own venture building and investing experience to help inDrive transform the lives of innovative founders hungry to scale up their successful businesses that contribute to a better world.”

inDrive’s New Ventures unit is dedicated to help investee and acquired companies scale quickly across inDrive’s platform. These companies are set to gain a competitive edge by tapping inDrive’s global multi-million customer base across 45+ markets, access to the company’s go-to-market know-how and technology.

Andries has held key strategic roles in both the startup and corporate organizations, leading business transformations, acquisitions and integrations at major corporations including Morgan Stanley, and Aviva. He has also built ventures as a partner at Stryber, a leading strategic growth partner and independent corporate venture builder in Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific.

Mark Loughran, President of inDrive, says: “The mission at the heart of New Ventures is to find overlooked, high-growth startups that may be operating outside of traditional innovation hub regions, and support their development to increase their positive impact. Andries has a unique blend of corporate and venture building experience that makes him a perfect fit to lead New Ventures, and we are confident the energy and experience he brings will help us surpass our investment goals.”

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Cybercrime Trends to Watch Out for in 2024

Innovative new technologies, together with an increasingly connected world, are delivering far-reaching benefits, such as fueling economic growth, democratizing digital technologies and promoting access to information for all.

However, this goes hand-in-hand with new challenges. As technologies advance and connectivity becomes ubiquitous, private and public sector entities (and the people who work in them) grow increasingly vulnerable to dangerous and indiscriminate cyber attacks.

In fact, cyber threats and cyber crime have been steadily on the rise in the last few years, and there’s no reason to assume that it will slow down any time soon. Cybercrime is growing exponentially, with analysts predicting that global cybercrime damage costs will grow by 15% per year, to reach $10.5-trillion by 2025.

Industry experts will unpack the major cybersecurity trends that they believe businesses need to know about

Today’s adversaries are more sophisticated and cunning than ever. They have deep pockets and can develop complex, targeted tools capable of evading many security nets. This means companies need to ramp up their cyber defences by embedding security into every aspect of the business.

They also need to have incident response plans in place to ensure they are prepared for the worst-case scenario in which malefactors successfully compromise their networks.

However, this is no mean feat. The CISO’s job is soaring in terms of complexity, as a greater number of employees are now working on a hybrid or remote basis and in a world of “bring your own everything be it a device, application, cloud or connection.

Clever businesses understand that forewarned is forearmed, and with this in mind, ICTGlobe Managed Services, in conjunction with TechCentral, is hosting a Lunch & Learn session on 23 November at Marriott Melrose Arch. During the session, industry experts will unpack the major cybersecurity trends that they believe businesses need to know about and will share some predictions to keep companies on high alert in the new year.

Generative AI

For example, generative AI has seen an unprecedented uptake. Within a matter of months of ChatGPT’s launch a year ago, it boasted some 100M users. And while this tool is proving highly useful in many ways, it’s also likely to become an even greater cyberthreat in 2024, because it can be exploited to write malicious code and create advanced phishing emails that are so well put together they are able to defy all but the closest scrutiny.

The event will unpack a range of other topics, such as how e-mail remains a major threat vector and focus area for defence; and how the expanded identity landscape is presenting weaknesses for threat actors to exploit. It will delve into how hybrid environments and shadow IT are increasing endpoint blind spots, as well as the proliferation of IoT devices and what this means for cybersecurity.

Delegates will also look at cloud security, its challenges and who is ultimately responsible; as well as how securing the external attack surface has become an internet-scale challenge.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Nairobi-Based Bio-Logical Raises $1M Seed Funding to Empower Smallholder Farmers and Combat CO2 Emissions

Bio-Logical, a Nairobi-based climate tech startup, recently secured a substantial $1 million in seed funding. Spearheaded by the Steyn Group, this investment round also featured prominent angel investors, including Rob Konterman, Luke Calcott-Stevens, and Jochem Wieringa. The primary objective behind this financial backing is to facilitate the establishment of Bio-Logical’s inaugural site in Kenya, which will serve as a launching pad for the company’s expansion across the region.

The utilization of these funds will be directed towards the development of a biochar production facility with an annual capacity to convert more than 30,000 tonnes of agricultural waste into biochar. This innovative approach is expected to sequester a noteworthy 25,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. Moreover, Bio-Logical plans to generate carbon credits from this process. The revenue generated from these credits will be employed to subsidize the production of resilience-building fertilizers tailored for smallholder farmers. By doing so, Bio-Logical aims to empower 1 million smallholder farmers and sequester 1 million tonnes of CO2 annually by the year 2030.

Why The Investors Invested

The investors’ decision to inject $1 million into Bio-Logical stems from a strategic analysis of the startup’s potential impact. In a world where smallholder farmers face a grim future due to climate change-induced challenges, Bio-Logical stands out by offering a circular economy solution. By transforming agricultural waste into biochar — a potent carbon-sequestering material — the startup not only addresses environmental concerns but also regenerates degraded soil. This unique approach directly tackles the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture, boosting crop drought resistance and increasing yields by over 50%.

The investors recognize the urgency of addressing climate change’s impact on smallholder farmers globally, a crisis exacerbated by soil degradation and shifting weather patterns. Bio-Logical’s commitment to mitigating these challenges aligns with a broader vision of creating a more sustainable and resilient agricultural ecosystem. The circular economy model, where carbon credits contribute to the welfare of climate-vulnerable communities, resonates strongly with the investors’ ethos.

United for a Greener Future: Bio-Logical's Leadership Team at the Forefront of Building Africa's Largest Biochar Facility – A Milestone in Climate Resilience and Regenerative Agriculture in East Africa. — *Credits: Bio-Logical*

A Look At Pineapple

Bio-Logical, founded by CEO Rory Buckworth, operates with a mission grounded in social responsibility. Established on the belief that smallholder farmers should not bear the brunt of a climate crisis they did not cause, the startup employs innovative technology to pave the way for a more sustainable future. The company’s first site in Kenya will boast the title of the largest biochar production facility in Africa, symbolizing Bio-Logical’s commitment to making a substantial impact.

Founded to address the immediate challenges faced by smallholder farmers globally, Bio-Logical’s solution combines cutting-edge technology with a deep sense of social responsibility. By transforming waste into biochar and supporting smallholder farmers with resilience-building fertilizers, Bio-Logical aims to uplift communities, enhance food security, and contribute to the fight against climate change. The founders, Rory Buckworth and Philip Hunter, envision a future where carbon credits serve not just to remove carbon from the atmosphere but also to build the resilience of climate-vulnerable communities.

Afreximbank Presents Platform to Promote African Participation in Engineering, Procurement and Construction Contracts

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert.
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the continent’s pioneers in this regard

Grindstone and Anglo American Foundation Unveil First Cohort of Green Tech Startups in South Africa

African-tech-startup-funding-rises-51-to-195M-in-2017

Grindstone has unveiled its selection of 15 green technology start-ups for participation in its accelerator program. The collaborative effort between Cape Town-based accelerator Grindstone and the Anglo American Foundation (AAF) marks the initiation of the Grindstone South Africa program, with a specific aim to empower entrepreneurs in the green sector.

The chosen start-ups include VEZ Technology, Ground 2 Tap, I-N-TECH, Boombadotmobi, First Drop Hydration, Tsehla Holdings, GreenMovement, MKGreen Solutions, The Green Cab, Imperative Energy Group, Lily Loompa Upcycled Homeware, RE: HEAT Africa, Isphepho Group, PWK Waste Management and Recycling, and Umlilo Energy South Africa.

In a joint statement, the organizations express the program’s objective of assisting 15 technology and technology-enabled start-ups in the green sector by providing them access to secure funding and valuable market opportunities.

Maike von Heymann, Head of the AAF, emphasizes, “From solar power to waste management, to water filtration systems, this cohort of 15 start-ups are driving positive change in their communities across South Africa. At the Anglo American Foundation, we are proud to partner with Grindstone; together, we champion entrepreneurship that not only creates quality jobs, with a focus on youth, but also paves the way for a greener, more sustainable world.”

The program is scheduled to span over six months, commencing this month, and is tailored for post-seed to Series A start-ups operating within the green sector. Grindstone highlights that the winning company will be rewarded with a cash incentive at the program’s conclusion.

Start-ups involved in the program will gain access to knowledge through plenary workgroups covering strategy, branding, marketing, sales, technology, legal and intellectual property, valuation, finance, mentoring hours, secure funding access, and valuable market opportunities for networking, social media, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) assessments.

Furthermore, these companies will benefit from mentorship provided by Grindstone alumni and established ecosystem network partners, including Green Cape and Savant.

Earlier in the year, Grindstone collaborated with Naspers Labs to launch the GrindstoneX female entrepreneur program, which selected ten local female-founded start-ups for participation.

Recognizing the expanding technology landscape, Grindstone emphasizes the potential of the green economy to create meaningful job opportunities in South Africa while simultaneously supporting environmental sustainability.

Catherine Young, Managing Partner at Grindstone, acknowledges the rapid growth of the green sector and underscores the need for a corresponding surge in impact investing and a focus on youth job creation in the primary and secondary markets related to the green economy.

Young states, “By supporting innovation in the green sector, including clean energy, decarbonization, sustainable food production, climate tech, and more, we can improve millions of lives, as well as drive sustainable economic growth and job creation in vulnerable communities. Our partnership with the Anglo American Foundation will help South African entrepreneurs at the forefront of building a more sustainable future. It ties in perfectly with our own ESG focus, which is strengthened through partnerships like this.”

Charles Rapulu Udoh

Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer, who has several years of experience working in Africa’s burgeoning tech startup industry. He has closed multi-million dollar deals bordering on venture capital, private equity, intellectual property (trademark, patent or design, etc.), mergers and acquisitions, in countries such as in the Delaware, New York, UK, Singapore, British Virgin Islands, South Africa, Nigeria etc. He’s also a corporate governance and cross-border data privacy and tax expert.
As an award-winning writer and researcher, he is passionate about telling the African startup story, and is one of the continent’s pioneers in this regard