Africa is being recognized around the world for its rapid innovation. Eight African startups have been selected for the Techstars Toronto Accelerator’s October 2021 cohort.
The Techstars accelerator is held in batches, each lasting three months.
In April of this year, the successful applicants for the first batch of 2021 were notified.
Two Nigerian startups were among them. Another batch was revealed last week, increasing the total number of African startups accepted to Techstars to eight this year.
The virtual program provides funding ($100,000 convertible note and $20,000 stipend), mentorship, and access to the program’s network.
The African startups selected for Techstars Toronto’s October 2021 class are as follows:
TalentQL: Established in 2020 by Adewale Yusuf, TalentQL is a Nigerian startup that specializes in outsourcing tech talents. The startup has raised a total of $420, 000 from about four investors.
Payday: In the same vein, this startup makes transactions between Africa and the rest of the world possible, thereby making it possible for foreign employers and clients to easily pay their Africa-based staff.
Treepz: Formerly known as Plentywaka, Treepz is a Nigerian mobility platform that was co-founded in 2019 by Onyeka Akumah and Johnny Enagwolor. Treepz has raised $1.6 million from ten investors.
Kyshi: Although based in the UK, Kyshi is an Africa-focused fintech that specializes in facilitating cross-border money transfers from Europe to Africa.
OurPass: This is another Nigerian startup that provides payments and checkout services. The startup, which was established Samuel Chukwunonso Eze, recently sealed a pre-seed round to the tune of $1 million.
Rentsmallsmall: Co-founded by Tunde Balogun, Pidah Tnadah, and Naomi Olaghere in 2017, Rentsmallsmall is a Nigerian proptech startup specialized in providing on-demand rental solutions. The company has raised an undisclosed amount from Onyeka Akumah, the CEO of Farmcrowdy.
Duhqa: Based in Nairobi Kenya, this logistics startup makes last-mile delivery a lot easier by utilizing technology.
Lenco: As neobank, Lenco offers tailor-made products for SMEs. Although headquartered in the US, Lenco’s products and services are targeted at Africans.
Read more on Tech Gist Africa:
7 African startups have been selected to participate in the inaugural Last Mile Money Accelerator
Facebook has announced the winners of the 2021 Community Accelerator Program in Africa
