NBA Africa has announced the 10 finalists for its inaugural “Triple-Double: NBA Africa Startup Accelerator,” a program aimed at boosting Africa’s technology ecosystem and fostering the growth of the next generation of African entrepreneurs.
The startups, hailing from seven different countries, will pitch their innovative solutions at a Demo Day held at the NBA headquarters in New York City on September 25.
The event will feature a panel of international industry leaders who will select four companies to receive financial support and mentorship, alongside participation in workshops and development programs facilitated by NBA Africa and its partners.
The selected startups represent a range of industries, each bringing fresh solutions to sports and event management, youth development, and technology.
From Rwanda’s Backrest, with its cashless payment system WristWrist, to Côte d’Ivoire’s Gara, a platform for African video gaming and comics, these entrepreneurs are showcasing the creativity and technical expertise emerging from across the continent.
Startups like Nigeria’s Buzza, which helps sports organizations digitize operations and improve revenue, and Ghana’s Power to Girls Foundation, a platform dedicated to empowering young women, reflect the diversity of ideas driving innovation across Africa.
The inclusion of Egypt’s UBR VR, a company offering immersive virtual reality experiences, highlights the broad spectrum of industries NBA Africa is supporting through this initiative.
NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi praised the caliber of the finalists, expressing the organization’s excitement about the future of African entrepreneurship.
“We have been inspired by the level of talent and creativity from all of the applicants, and we congratulate the 10 deserving finalists who will showcase their innovative solutions at Demo Day later this month,” said Akamanzi.
“NBA Africa is committed to supporting the continued growth of startups on the continent, including the four prize-winners whose innovative solutions will further elevate the sport and creative industries in Africa for years to come.”
The program, operated by ALX Ventures, was launched in April 2024 and is designed to accelerate early-stage African startups that focus on event management, AI, digital marketing, and youth development.
By offering mentorship and access to capital, NBA Africa aims to nurture Africa’s tech ecosystem, with a specific focus on sports and the creative industries.
Among the standout startups are Naemo Global from Nigeria, which uses AI-powered analytics to revolutionize football scouting, and Salubata, also from Nigeria, which creates modular shoes from plastic waste, aiming to reduce the global carbon footprint.
South Africa’s Vambo Technologies brings an AI-driven digital language platform to the mix, emphasizing digital inclusion through real-time translation and content creation in multiple African languages.
The Demo Day will culminate with the announcement of the four winning startups, each of which will receive the financial and developmental backing necessary to drive their growth and impact both within Africa and globally.
The initiative marks a significant step forward in NBA Africa’s broader commitment to nurturing African talent and providing a platform for technological innovation.
