Twenty startups from Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa have arrived London to take part in the first Go Global Africa program. The Go Global program is a hugely successful innovation scheme that supports startups to improve their business skills and capability, build links with the UK’s thriving tech sector and work with UK expertise to take their firms to the next level.
The program was started by the UK Israel Tech Hub and has helped develop new UK-Israel collaborations in the digital economy over the last four years. The UK Israel Tech Hub has led 175 tech partnerships in deals worth £85 million. The scheme doesn’t just help firms in the London but it also plays a vital part in making links for UK startups in these new markets.
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Digital Minister Margot James said: “It is fantastic to welcome these talented entrepreneurs to the UK. Africa is a vibrant and dynamic continent with huge potential for growth, and the firms chosen for the first Go Global Africa program see tech as a force for good in society. I’ve no doubt they have the talent to play a transformative role in their country’s growth while also building connections for UK startups in new markets and highlighting Britain as the place to develop new technology.”
The startups, selected from more than 400 applicants, are developing cutting-edge products and services in industries including fintech, healthcare, agritech and water management. They will receive coaching from pitching experts Enterprise Academy, Price Water House Coopers and the Natwest Fintech Accelerator, Bethnal Green Ventures and Carlos Espinal.
The startups will receive support from the UK’s International Tech Hub Network, which spans three continents and has seven hubs. They will act as Go Global champions and share the skills they have learned to mentor other firms in their countries. This will help spread digital skills, capability and entrepreneurial spirit to create jobs and prosperity.
Winners of the Go Global Africa competition are:
Ethredah Chao Mwalwala, Afya-Plan, Health Financing start up
Godfrey Allan Tollo Ochieng, Myfugo Innovations LTD, Agritech
Nasreen Ali Mohamed, Cherehani Africa, Fintech
Richard Machomba Muita, FlexPay Technologies, Fintech
Jamie Wilfred John Magambo, CropCrowd, Agritech
Isaac Maina Karani, Elikham Systems Limited, Water Management Tech
Tochukwu Chiemeziem Egesi, Innovation Corner Digital Health
Paul David Azemoh, Thrive Agric, Agritech
Muhammad Salisu Abdullahi, eTrash2Cash, Fintech
Eunice Odunayo Eweniyi, Piggybank.ng, Fintech
Abiodun Akanji Adereni, HelpMum, Digital Health
Faith Ekwebelam, Social Lender, Fintech
Ralph Gbenga Oluwole, Helium Health, Digital Health
Vinodhan Naidu, Envisionit E-Escrow, Fintech
Owen David Meredith, GLU Global (Pty) Ltd, Information Technology Systems Integration
Tania Engau Ikedji Mukwamu, MaxiCash (Pty) Ltd, Fintech
Tyron Geoff Fouche, Nobuntu, Fintech
Marnus Jacobus van Heerden, Pineapple Tech (Pty) Ltd, Insurtech
Neo Valentine Hutiri, Technovera Pty Ltd, Digital Health
Stephanus Hattingh, Health Solutions Africa, Digital Health