By 
Flapmax, in partnership with Microsoft, has announced the twelve companies selected for the first cohort of the FAST startup accelerator, created to help strengthen and scale Africa’s digital ecosystem.
The startup accelerator which begins March 21st and will run for twelve-weeks, brings together a diverse class of entrepreneurs from 6 countries, serving 9 industries, and includes 2 female founders.
More than 800 applications from 25 countries in Africa were received for the first FAST accelerator cohort.
The countries with the most applicants included Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Ghana, and Egypt.
Applicants represented a diverse mix of technology and cloud-based products and services serving residents and businesses throughout Africa. Industries represented by the application pool included AgTech, EdTech, HealthTech, FinTech and more.
“Microsoft believes that African startups are well-placed to become a cornerstone of the African digital economy, with relevant solutions to local societal challenges. Participation in the FAST startup accelerator program will help these entrepreneurs capture available funding opportunities and plan for growth and future market expansion,” said Gerald Maithya, Startups Lead, Microsoft Africa Transformation Office.
FAST applicants had to be based in Africa, ready to scale or expand within the continent, and have an established product-market fit while addressing one or more Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
Also commenting, Dave Ojika, founder and CEO, Flapmax said, “In partnership with the Microsoft team, we are bringing together a unique mix of technology business and innovative entrepreneurs to build and scale societally impactful solutions that enable digital transformation across industries, as well as an introduction to cloud and AI-integration tools designed to unlock new value for their businesses.”
Beginning March 21, the FAST startup accelerator cohort will engage in a broad range of activities, including training, business development, cloud & AI integration, fundraising and community building events designed to help them scale rapidly and sustainably.
Participants will benefit from up to $250,000 in Microsoft Azure cloud credits, as well as access to Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub, including access to OpenAI APIs.
The first FAST accelerator cohort features the following startups:
- Capsa Technology : Online platform to buy and sell invoices for businesses in Africa Nigeria | FinTech | SDG: No Poverty
- Silqu: Africa’s most advanced proptech platform in real estate and technology Kenya | PropTech | SDG: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- LegitCar: Building Africa’s biggest vehicle data service Nigeria | Automotive | SDG: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- VAIS: Comprehensive precision agriculture platform powered by AI & earth observation Egypt | AgTech | SDG: Zero Hunger
- Snark Health: Partner with your doctor. Leverage your data. Pay less. Kenya | HealthTech | SDG: Good Health and Well-being
- Pade HCM: Automated HR for all African businesses Nigeria | Enterprise Software | SDG: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- DayDone: eCommerce platform, digitizing Africa’s agriculture market Nigeria | AgTech | SDG: Zero Hunger
- K-12 EdTech: Asynchronous and synchronous kindergarten to 12th-grade education app Kenya | EdTech | SDG: Quality Education
- Tumaini La Maisha: Pediatric oncology services Tanzania | Government & Public Service | SDG: Good Health & Well-being
- Taimba: East Africa’s First Data-Driven Food Supply Chain Platform Kenya | AgTech | SDG: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Wala Digital Health: Digital platform for hospitals access to blood that saves lives Ghana | HealthTech | SDG: Good Health and Well-being
- KaCyber Technologies: Making seamless mobility a reality in Africa Uganda | Mobility | SDG: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Comments