Congratulations to the top 10 startups taking the stage at the finals of the 2024 Latitude59 Pitch Competition in Kenya!
This year’s competition saw a record-breaking 382 applications from 37 countries, showcasing the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit of Africa. These startups will compete for a prize pool that promises invaluable support for their growth and expansion. Here’s a look at the top 10 teams and what makes them stand out:
1. 🇳🇬 AcemyX
Country: Nigeria
Overview: AcemyX is a learning management system (LMS) designed to help students excel in exams by providing personalized learning tools and study materials. This platform tailors educational content to individual needs, ensuring effective preparation and academic success.
2. 🇹🇿 Afya Mama
Country: Tanzania
Overview: Afya Mama is revolutionizing maternal care and reproductive health for women through an SMS and web-based platform. The startup provides critical information and answers to health-related questions, empowering women with reliable and accessible health support.
3. 🇰🇪 Eco Nasi Limited
Country: Kenya
Overview: Eco Nasi is transforming sustainability with its innovative approach to recycling. The startup turns pineapple pulp waste into high-quality vegan leather that is five times more durable than traditional hide leather, combining eco-friendliness with durability.
4. 🇰🇪 Grekkon Limited – Irrigation Hub
Country: Kenya
Overview: Grekkon Limited focuses on water conservation and efficient irrigation. By scaling up moisture sensors for smallholder farmers, Grekkon aims to prevent water wastage and ensure sufficient irrigation, addressing a crucial agricultural challenge in Kenya.
5. 🇰🇪 NoMa
Country: Kenya
Overview: NoMa is changing the way school transportation operates with its tech platform that digitizes and streamlines the school transportation process. This ensures safer, more efficient, and transparent travel for students and peace of mind for parents.
6. 🇺🇸 Paycloud Africa
Country: United States
Overview: Paycloud Africa is building a Neobank that caters specifically to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Africa. The platform aggregates payments, allowing businesses to pay, get paid, and access credit seamlessly.
7. 🇰🇪 Roadrims Logistics
Country: Kenya
Overview: Roadrims offers reliable, efficient, and cost-effective logistics solutions to meet the varied needs of supply chains. Their approach is tailored to ensure customer satisfaction and operational efficiency across diverse industries.
8. 🇰🇪 Twiva
Country: Kenya
Overview: Twiva is a Social Commerce platform that empowers brands by enabling them to market and sell their products through influencers. This approach helps businesses access broader markets and build their customer base through trusted partnerships.
9. 🇰🇪 VunaPay
Country: Kenya
Overview: VunaPay provides instant payment solutions for farmers, ensuring that they receive payments immediately upon delivering their produce. This addresses the common challenge of delayed payments, promoting financial stability for farmers.
10. 🇰🇪 Zerobionic
Country: Kenya
Overview: Zerobionic is on a mission to bridge the gap in educational tools for students with hearing impairments. Their human-like robotic arm is designed to enhance learning experiences for these students, fostering inclusivity in education.
Honorable Mentions
Apart from the top 10 finalists, the Latitude59 (L59) team has recognized a select group of shortlisted startups that will gain exclusive access to startup workshops. These workshops are designed to provide essential skills, mentorship, and insights needed to scale their businesses effectively. Here are the additional startups, listed in alphabetical order:
- 🇰🇪 Agri Business Solutions Limited: Agri Business Solutions Limited reduces post-harvest losses in the avocado value chain using zero-waste circular economy model and blockchain.
- 🇰🇪 B.T.T.L: Biofranca Trans Technology Limited is developing anaerobic digesters to help schools, institutions, and slum communities.
- 🇰🇪 Bankwise Insights: Bankwise Insights is developing an AI-powered credit risk assessment tool to help financial institutions in emerging markets.
- 🇰🇪 Beba-Beggie: Beba-Beggie develops an IoT automated locker technology offering affordable, accessible, secure and convenient short-term storage for items.
- 🇳🇬 Betapawa Solutions Limited: Betapawa is developing IoT-enabled solar mini-grids and productive-use solutions targeting underserved communities in Africa.
- 🇰🇪 Book Clothes: Book Clothes is developing a rental wardrobe platform to help travelers and fashion enthusiasts access wardrobes.
- 🇺🇸 Bunce: Bunce is an AI-powered customer engagement platform that grows revenue and retention for companies.
- 🇹🇿 Climate Smart Irrigator: Climate Smart Irrigator develops an irrigation system designed to optimize water use for farming, helping smallholder farmers adapt to unpredictable climate.
- 🇹🇬 Clinicaa: Clinicaa is an IT solution for hospital management.
- 🇰🇪 Constantnople Enterprise: Constantnople Enterprise is developing an AI-powered HDPE fish cage system to help fish farmers optimize aquaculture operations.
- 🇷🇼 Digital Realm Entertainment Inc: Digital Realm Entertainment is an interactive entertainment tech and software company developing African-oriented interactive experiences & games.
- 🇰🇪 DigiTax: DigiTax makes it easy for businesses to be tax compliant, save time and unnecessary hardware.
- 🇺🇬 Diwala AS: Diwala is a digital platform that makes it effortless to issue, hold, and verify any credential in the world.
- 🇰🇪 Duhqa: Duhqa is a B2B supply chain & distribution tech platform making it easier for mom and Pop shops to procure inventory.
- 🇰🇪 Ebikes Africa: Ebikes Africa is improving mobility, logistics and access to financial services in Africa using electric bicycles and AI.
- 🇺🇸 Hodhi: Hodhi is developing a Pan-African exchange to help low income Africans affordably buy and sell real estate across Africa.
- 🇳🇬 JobRoutes: JobRoutes helps tech talents across Africa to access the best job opportunities that exist beyond borders using AI.
- 🇳🇬 Kitovu: Kitovu builds agritech infrastructure to enable African smallholder farmers to boost productivity using data science.
- 🇰🇪 Klinik Telehealth: Klinik is a telehealth platform that enables patients Access Healthcare Services conveniently and cost effectively.
- 🇺🇬 Lupiiya Books: Lupiiya Books is developing a gamified social finance app that enables young African entrepreneurs leverage their social capital to fundraise.
- 🇰🇪 Mizan Money: Mizan is developing the first Islamic neobank and BNPL, to cater for 5 million muslims in Kenya using 10,000 data points.
- 🇳🇬 OneClick-Med: OneClick-Med is a health tech centralizing patient data management for easy, safe, and efficient healthcare experiences.
- 🇨🇩 Owanga: Owanga provides pay-per-use battery solutions in Congo, offering stackable power for $2 a day or for purchase at $200.
- 🇳🇬 Pocketfood: Pocketfood is automating healthy eating for busy professionals in Africa.
- 🇺🇬 Protein Kapital Limited: Protein Kapital is developing alternative proteins and fertilizers as production inputs from food waste using insects.
- 🇺🇬 RentBeta: RentBeta aligns Rent payments with real world cash flow for renters & create more stable ontime collections for landlords.
- 🇹🇬 SEMOA: SEMOA helps Banks to innovate in communication and transactions through WhatsApp Banking and payments solutions.
- 🇰🇪 Skizaa AI: Skizaa lets businesses easily connect all their data sources and get instant business insights through a simple chat interface.
- 🇳🇬 SpeedPay: SpeedPay operates a comprehensive B2B & B2C system that specializes in creating bank-at-a-go for SMEs, services, and consumers.
- 🇳🇬 Yournotify: Yournotify is a multi channel marketing platform for customer communications and engagement.
What’s in the L59 Prize Pool?
The L59 Pitch Competition offers more than just exposure. The best startup will get a golden ticket to Tallinn, Estonia to participate in Latitude59 Tallinn 2025 and fast-pass to its Pitch Competition Pre-finals. For two years in a row, the prize pool in Estonia has been one million euros!
Latitude59 partners have not forgotten our startups either and have contributed perks & funds that will help to skyrocket your company!
Speaker Spotlight: Top Speakers to Watch
Latitude59 Kenya 2024 boasts a stellar lineup of speakers who are leaders in the tech and startup ecosystems. Some of the speakers we have highlighted below but do check the full lineup here!
Mareme Dieng
Partner at 500 Global | Forbes Afrique 30 under 30 Nominee (2022)
Mareme Dieng is an influential partner at 500 Global, where she leverages her extensive experience in entrepreneurship, partnerships, and innovation to support startups and emerging businesses. A recognized leader, Mareme was featured as a Forbes Afrique 30 under 30 nominee in 2022 for her impactful contributions to the entrepreneurial landscape.
Before joining 500 Global, Mareme served as the Head of International Partnerships and Relations at Draper University, a premier entrepreneurship hub in Silicon Valley. Her tenure at Draper University spanned over three years, where she was a program manager before progressing to a role with Draper University Ventures, further solidifying her expertise in nurturing and investing in early-stage startups.
Mareme’s commitment to education and innovation extends beyond the startup ecosystem. She is a current graduate nominee on the Board of Trustees at Bennington College, playing an integral role in the institution’s strategic decision-making processes. Her earlier experiences include serving as the Hackathon Manager at Schoolab, a Paris-based innovation studio known for its consulting services to major European corporates. During her time at Schoolab, she developed and curated content for innovation workshops and entrepreneurship programs.
Mareme’s speaking engagements at high-profile conferences such as the Blockchain Summit, AI Summit, and Afric’Up Summit have established her as a thought leader in tech and innovation. Her work history also includes time spent at prestigious research centers like CNRS in Paris and ISM in Senegal, reflecting her dedication to fostering development through structured systems that unlock human potential.
International Experience
Having lived and worked across Senegal, South Africa, France, and the United States, Mareme is passionate about structuring educational models that inspire entrepreneurship and leadership within African educational frameworks. She has collaborated with various educational organizations, including ISM Senegal and Global Scholar Programs in Johannesburg, to create programs that advance leadership and innovation. Her involvement with the Global Startup Ecosystem included programming the Ghana Tech Summit and Haiti Tech Summit in 2018, showcasing her commitment to boosting tech ecosystems across diverse regions.
Educational Contributions
Mareme’s background includes research with the Lumina Foundation in Indianapolis through a project with Bennington College, where she investigated work-integrated learning and strategies for preparing college students for the workforce.
Why Connect with Mareme?
As a seasoned innovator and advocate for entrepreneurship and human development, Mareme Dieng’s insights are invaluable for founders, investors, and educators aiming to enhance the startup and innovation space. Her cross-continental experience and strategic expertise make her a pivotal connector and changemaker in the entrepreneurial world.
Mikko Silventola
Early-Stage Investor and Founder | Partner at Magnetic Global Fund and Superangel
Mikko Silventola is a prolific early-stage investor, renowned for his impressive track record of investments in over 100 startups and counting. With a focus on high-impact ventures, Mikko’s investment portfolio includes some of the most successful startups in the global tech ecosystem. Notably, he was the first investor in Bolt—a global mobility platform that has raised over $2 billion from leading firms such as Sequoia Capital. He also played pivotal roles in backing Hugo (acquired by Delivery Hero) and PayMongo (supported by Stripe), showcasing his knack for identifying and nurturing potential unicorns.
Mikko invests both his own capital and through Magnetic Global Fund (affiliated with Index Ventures Angel Fund) and Superangel. His contributions extend beyond funding; he serves as a hands-on advisor and strategic mentor, leveraging his extensive experience in business development and internationalization.
These ventures generated over €35 million in sales within a few years and established offices in Helsinki, Dubai, Singapore, Stockholm, and Oslo. Mikko’s leadership and strategic insight were instrumental in scaling these companies and facilitating their successful exits.
Global Reach and Expertise
Over the past decade, Mikko has been active in Asia and the Middle East, focusing on private equity, angel investing, M&A advisory, and fundraising. His deep understanding of international markets has been pivotal for startups looking to scale their operations globally.
Notable Seed Investments by Mikko Silventola
- Bolt: First investor and advisor (raised >$2B)
- Rappi: Raised >$2B from Sequoia, a16z, DST
- OpenSea: Raised $430M from a16z, Coatue
- Flutterwave: Raised $235M from Insight, Tiger Global
- Embark: Raised $117M from Sequoia, Tiger Global
- Hugo: Super app in LatAm (raised >$100M; acquired by Delivery Hero)
- PayMongo: Raised >$45M from Stripe, Founders Fund, Thiel
- Yassir: Raised >$200M from DN Capital, Bond
Mikko’s portfolio collectively boasts more than $4 billion in venture financing, reflecting the transformative impact of his investments on the tech startup landscape.
Why Connect with Mikko?
Mikko Silventola’s extensive experience, strategic insight, and proven track record make him an invaluable partner for startups aiming to scale and attract substantial venture funding. His approach combines patient capital and mentorship, championing underdog founders and fostering innovation that disrupts markets.
Alan Mwangi
Entrepreneurship Development Manager at Sand Technologies and Accelerator Manager at ALX Ventures
Alan Mwangi is a dynamic force in the African entrepreneurial landscape, dedicated to empowering founders to pursue innovative solutions through mentorship, community, and sustainable growth. His extensive experience spans both the startup and investment sides of the ecosystem, positioning him as a pivotal figure in nurturing talent and guiding early-stage ventures to success.
At ALX Ventures, Alan manages two accelerators, a founder academy, and a community of creative and technical freelancers. This role underscores his belief in the power of community and the exponential impact of shared knowledge. He collaborates daily with brilliant young African creatives and technologists, turning bold, innovative ideas into transformative businesses that resonate on a global scale.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Alan brings a personal touch to his work, drawing from his experiences as a sports enthusiast and storyteller. He emphasizes that entrepreneurship is not just about achieving success but also embracing the journey, with all its challenges and learning moments.
Why Connect with Alan?
If you are an aspiring entrepreneur with a groundbreaking idea or an investor searching for the next big venture in Africa, Alan Mwangi is the person to reach out to. His commitment to building sustainable businesses that uplift communities makes him an invaluable ally and mentor. He approaches challenges with the mindset of “Let’s do hard things,” encapsulating his determination and belief in the potential of African innovators.
Celeste Vogel
Co-Founder and Managing Director at eWaka Mobility Ltd
Celeste Vogel is a passionate changemaker dedicated to transforming the future of transportation in Africa by providing better, safer, and more equitable mobility solutions. In 2021, she co-founded eWaka, an e-mobility and tech startup that aims to offer sustainable and smart transport options tailored to the needs of African communities. Her mission is to revolutionize how people move across the continent, blending innovative technology with practical, eco-friendly solutions.
With over 20 years of experience as a legal executive in international finance and engineering, Celeste brings a wealth of expertise to her current role. She has held senior management positions at global companies, including SwissRe, ABB, and Credit Suisse, where she honed her strategic, operational, and leadership skills.
Educational Background
Celeste holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Ohio Wesleyan University and a Juris Doctor in law from Northwestern University in Chicago. She was admitted to the Bar in Illinois, USA, in 1994, adding a robust legal foundation to her diverse professional profile.
Why Connect with Celeste?
If you are an entrepreneur, investor, or policy maker interested in sustainable mobility solutions, Celeste Vogel’s experience and vision provide unparalleled insights. Her commitment to equitable, future-focused transport options makes her a pivotal voice in Africa’s mobility landscape. She combines her sharp business acumen and legal expertise to push forward innovative solutions that serve not just urban centers but communities across the continent.
Join the Future of African Innovation
Latitude59 Kenya is more than just a pitch competition—it’s a celebration of African entrepreneurship and a hub for innovation. Don’t miss out on the chance to witness these groundbreaking startups, gain insights from industry leaders, and network with key players in the startup ecosystem.
Buy your tickets now and be part of this transformative event!
