The Africa Blockchain Developers Call (ABDC) Pan-African Bootcamp on blockchain technology has declared its intention to hold a weekend conference on incorporating blockchain technology into Africa’s health sector.

In an attempt to execute comprehensive blockchain training sessions and promote the implementation of specially designed applications for different sectors in Africa, the Bootcamp, officially launched on 5 September, has taken on a host of African developers.

The Bootcamp also features virtual weekend conferences on many use-cases for blockchain. These conferences are aimed at encouraging creative and comprehensive discussions on the implementation of blockchain technology in Africa, including platform presentations by businesses and panel sessions on many Blockchain issues. The first meeting, focusing on Blockchain in Finance, took place on September 5. It featured a keynote speech given by Professor Anicia Peters, University of Namibia Pro-Vice Chancellor for Science, Innovation and Development.

The next conference, scheduled to take place on October 3rd, will focus on the theme: Blockchain in Health. The keynote speech will be given by Arnab Paul, President of the Kolkata Chapter in India. Several organizations and startups will also give platform presentations via their representatives based on medical use cases for blockchain technology.

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After graduating its 2020 class a month ago, MEST Africa, the Pan-African incubator, revealed that it will invest $100k each in seven start-ups.

In the final pitching event, fifteen teams participated, but only seven were picked, adding $700k to the overall funding round for this class.

In addition to the funding, start-ups can also participate in the ongoing incubation programme at MEST.

Ashwin Ravichandran, managing director of MEST Africa, had this to say, speaking about the range.

This was the first time that our entrepreneurs were educated online and away from our campus for the most part, and I’m proud to say they came out stronger than ever. We are incredibly excited about the 7 companies in which we have chosen to invest and look forward to continuing our support and mentorship as they start their companies across the continent.

Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen
Welcome to the Final pitch of #MESTClassOf2020.

It’s been an incredible journey for these entrepreneurs and we are all so excited to learn about their ideas. pic.twitter.com/G43CEObSUA

— MEST Africa (@MESTAfrica) August 21, 2020

The seven startups include:

Shopa, a last-mile ordering and delivery startup for informal retailers in Africa.

Heny, a forum to explore new flavors and perspectives for young professionals by changing the way diners eat.

Boxconn, a network that offers companies and individuals access to a list of confirmed distribution partners nearest to them, instantly delivers packages from one location to another.

KPILens, a start-up that automates the documentation, tracking and assessment process for development organizations and makes it simpler.

Tendo, an online network that ties independent resellers to companies, aims to tackle two of the biggest issues facing Africa: unemployment and gender inequality.

Joovlin, helps fintech platforms and merchants increase their sales by interconnecting mobile wallet users and allowing them to transact with each other.

Eleka, streamlines onboarding procedures for customers that are fraught with lengthy and expensive labor measures.

Move In Rentals, Credia, Uyolo, VendoorPro, Trastea, Cornerstock, Colibri, and JidiTrust are the other startups that didn’t receive funding from MEST.

Last year, MEST invested $100k in eleven startups while celebrating its 11th year in business. The sum, $1.1 million, represented the organization’s largest single cohort investment.

And although the amount this year is $400k smaller, the selected startups will have the opportunity to enter the incubator ‘s portfolio of over 40 startups across Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.

For its fourth cohort program, the EdTech incubator, Injini, has opened applications. The program is opened for start-ups in Africa and will be closed on 10 December 2019. In the meantime, a final screening round will be decided in January in which only 12 applicants will be selected during the same month to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges.

In a statement made on Wednesday, October 23rd, Injani said it would help up to eight EdTech companies throughout the program with funding and advisory services. Next year, the program itself runs from March to August.

In partnership with the UBS Optimus Foundation, the Southern Africa Innovation Support Program, as well as the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, the Cape Innovation and Technology Initiative (CiTi) Incubator will run the program.

In addition, Injani said it is looking for solutions that tackle key issues facing the education sector in Africa. In addition, at least a number of feasible products or models must be included in the solutions. Most specifically, selected startups have had previous work experience with leaders with good academic or technical backgrounds.

Yet mature EdTech startups with post-revenue, solidified business models, or at the beginning of scaling, are also encouraged to apply for the program.

Startups must have been licensed with at least one full-time creator who is fluent in English and able to travel to South Africa during the particular phases of the program in order to be eligible to participate in the program.

Selected start-ups will each earn grant funding access to R100,000. They will also have the ability, in addition to grant support, to follow-up Injani’s equity investment up to R1 million.
The program will allow participants to connect with Injani’s team and network of mentors and coaches in various sectors, including edtech, education, business and technology, and access to a collection of personalized research and data insights.

Source: ventureburn.com