This archive report was first published on 6 August 2020.
MEST Africa 2020 Challenge Announces Finalists ¶
On August 6, 2020, MEST Africa 2020 Challenge announced the country final winners who will compete in the Finale on August 12 for $50,000 in funding and prizes.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MEST Africa 2020 Challenge will be held virtually, allowing over eighty tech startups to pitch from their home countries.
The finalists include:
- Debo Engineering (Ethiopia): An integrated engineering firm with a focus on emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, ML, Big Data analysis, mobile computing, and other disciplines related to engineering.
- Fundis (Kenya): A peer-to-peer platform that helps customers find and hire competent, vetted, and reliable local service professionals.
- Tutoo+ (Côte d'Ivoire): An innovative e-learning platform that provides a disruptive education on cutting-edge technologies and entrepreneurial skills in Francophone Africa.
- BAG Innovation (Rwanda): A startup committed to preparing Africa's future workforce by applying gamification to offer real-time access to experience-based learning for University students in East Africa.
- Oniocha Ltd (Ghana): A web-based platform improving the literary space in Africa by making access to books quick and easy.
- Kilimo Fresh Foods Africa Limited (Tanzania): A startup developing digital farming solutions including online produce distribution platforms and providing access to refrigerators and cold storage for farm produce.
- Moussa Africa (Senegal): A technology startup creating digital and financial inclusion platforms to develop the socio-economic lives of Africans by reinventing the way microfinance works.
- Gradely (Nigeria): A personalized online learning platform that harnesses the power of data and AI to help schools and parents access the learning gaps of their children in real-time.
- PopUpShopShop (South Africa): An online marketplace connecting brands to great spaces in shopping centres and high street locations for short or long term rentals.
In another exciting move, this year's competition is introducing a new element – the 'Community Choice Vote' – which gives viewers the opportunity to vote for their favorite startup live during the finale, and reward the winner with access to the MEST Community and its benefits.
